NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore

NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore

NSRCEL — the N.S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning — is the entrepreneurship and innovation hub of IIM Bangalore. Founded in 2000, it is one of India's oldest and most respected academic incubators, operating from IIM Bangalore's campus on Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru. Over its 25-year history, NSRCEL has supported 585+ ventures through full incubation and 1,300+ through its Launchpad pre-incubation programme, collectively generating over 6,900 direct jobs. Portfolio companies have been acquired by global firms including Qualcomm, Pegasystems, Brillio, and Freshworks.

Programs

Launchpad: A pre-incubation programme for idea and prototype-stage founders, including the Campus Founders track for student entrepreneurs.

Women Startup Program: Full incubation for women-led ventures, run in partnership with corporate sponsors.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women: A free online business education programme for women entrepreneurs globally.

Impact Orbit: Focused on social enterprises in skilling, livelihood, AgeTech, and tech-enabled social innovation.

Velocity – Kotak BizLabs: An accelerator for growth-stage startups, powered by Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Circular Bharat Accelerator & Climate Incubation Hub: Dedicated to sustainability, circular economy, and climate-tech startups.

Mobility Incubation Program: For startups in sustainable and urban mobility, in partnership with Maruti Suzuki.

Fintech Centre of Excellence (CoE): Specialised track for fintech startups across lending, wealthtech, insurtech, payments, and embedded finance.

Healthcare Incubation Program: Targeted support for health-tech and medtech ventures.

Support & Network

NSRCEL connects founders with a network of 400+ mentors and corporate partners including Goldman Sachs, ICICI Securities, Capgemini, and Maruti Suzuki. It does not typically provide direct equity funding but facilitates access to investors and grant programs. Portfolio companies have raised significant capital collectively.

Who Should Apply

NSRCEL's various programmes accept applications from idea-stage students, early-stage founders, women entrepreneurs, social enterprises, and growth-stage companies. Sector focus varies by programme — technology, fintech, climate, health, mobility, and social impact are prioritised. Founders outside IIMB's alumni network are welcome across all open programmes. The Launchpad is particularly suited for pre-incorporation founders with a validated idea.