Building on Cohort 1, which was recognised as the Second Best CSR Project for Women Development at the PRSI National Awards, Cohort 2 runs from May 2026 to March 2027 and supports up to 75 entrepreneurs across three structured phases. The programme is open to ventures led by women (across any product, service, or sector) and to ventures building solutions specifically for women in domains such as health, safety, education, financial independence, and livelihood creation. Entrepreneurs can apply with just an idea , no existing business or prior traction required. The programme is structured across three phases. Phase 1 is a nationwide call for applications. Phase 2 (Pre-Incubation) brings up to 75 shortlisted applicants through structured online capacity-building covering ideation techniques, idea validation, lean canvas, and core business model components , marketing, operations, finance, performance management, and storytelling. Participants who complete Phase 2 submit a lean canvas and pitch video for selection to Phase 3. Phase 3 (Incubation) provides six months of intensive support to up to 25 selected ventures, including structured mentorship from IIMV faculty, industry experts, and sector specialists, access to IIMV FIELD's ecosystem and alumni network, and a 2-day on-campus bootcamp focused on AI adoption and fundraising. The programme concludes with a graduation ceremony where the top 5 startups receive performance-based grants totalling up to ₹5 lakh. IIMV FIELD's positioning within IIM Visakhapatnam , a premier central government management institution , gives participants access to rigorous business education, faculty mentorship, and a growing alumni and industry network. The CSR backing from NBCC India Ltd adds institutional credibility and resource depth to the programme.
