NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore

Launchpad is NSRCEL's entry point for founders who are still validating a problem. It runs in cohorts, combines online sessions with two in-person bootcamps in Bengaluru, and closes with a mentor panel pitch.

What you get

• Cohort based learning: workshops and sessions on problem-solution fit, early product market fit, governance and entrepreneurial mindset
• One-on-one mentoring with review based checkpoints
• Grant opportunity for top 2 incubatees
• Access to the NSRCEL Startup Kit (discounts, credits from partners)
• 2 in-person bootcamps of 2-3 days in Bangalore

Who can apply

• Early-stage: idea, prototype, or MVP stage
• Founder mindset: entrepreneurial intent, bias for action, willingness to learn
• Problem clarity: deep understanding of the problem through strong validation
• Disruptive / innovative thinking
• Solo founders may apply
• One idea per applicant
• Open to early-stage ideas from across the country
• Past applicants may reapply, highlighting progress since

How selection works: Application Submission → Application Review → Conversation with the NSRCEL Team → Mentor Panel Pitch → Onboarding into the Program

How to apply: Apply through the online application form on the Launchpad page. When a cohort is closed, fill the interest form there to hear about the next intake.

Campus Founders moves student ventures from a virtual pre-incubation phase into hybrid incubation and then milestone-based mentoring. NSRCEL's own page gives different phase lengths in different places, so expect roughly four to ten months depending on how fast a venture progresses.

What you get

• Multi-stage program design from prototype and validation to early growth
• Access to Startup toolkit (discounts, credits)
• Alumni & mentor network
• Milestone-based funding support for up to 5 ventures (Phase 3)
• Peer learning
• Curriculum: problem discovery, customer validation, value proposition, entrepreneurial mindsets, early-stage governance, early product-market fit

Who can apply

• A working prototype or proof of work that shows founder commitment
• Undergraduate or postgraduate students, or graduates of less than a year at the time of selection, from any discipline
• Founders from anywhere in India
• Innovative ideas with potential to scale

How selection works: Submit application → Initial screening for eligibility → Telephonic interview → Pitch presentation to mentor panel → Final expectation and program fit assessment → Onboarding to the Foundational Pre-incubation Phase

How to apply: Apply through the online application form on the Campus Founders page.

The Healthcare Incubation Program is for startups working to widen access to affordable healthcare in India. It pairs sector masterclasses with one-on-one mentoring, access to a hospital network, and regulatory, IP, legal and finance advisory.

What you get

• Access to product innovation labs, lab suites, workspace
• Curated online sessions and masterclasses from sector and industry experts
• One-on-one mentoring
• Regulatory, IP, legal and finance advisory
• Access to the hospital network
• Investor connects
• Grant opportunities for a few select startups
• Kick-Off Bootcamp and End Reviews at NSRCEL

Who can apply

• Healthcare startup
• Prototype to early revenue stage (working prototype or proof of concept)
• Founders committed to the idea full-time
• Solo founders may apply
• One idea per applicant
• PAN India

How selection works: Application Submission → Application Review → Conversation with the NSRCEL Team → Panel Review → Onboarding into the Program

How to apply: Apply through the online application form on the programme page. Questions go to healthcare@nsrcel.iimb.ac.in.

10,000 Women is Goldman Sachs' programme for women business owners ready to grow, delivered in India by IIM Bangalore alongside IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Lucknow. Tuition is covered by Goldman Sachs; travel and lodging are not. An online version runs separately on Coursera for founders who cannot attend in person.

What you get

• Business and management education by IIMB faculty: financial management, marketing, negotiation, leadership
• Business growth plan
• Expert mentorship
• Global alumni network
• Tuition covered by Goldman Sachs

Who can apply

• Owner or co-owner of the venture
• Primary decision maker
• Business operational for at least one year
• A minimum of 3 employees
• Must not be a previous graduate of 10,000 Women

How selection works: Application review → interviews with shortlisted applicants → final decision, shortly before the cohort starts. Goldman Sachs publishes the dates for each intake

How to apply: Applications go through Goldman Sachs, starting with a short expression-of-interest form. Questions go to info@gs10kwapply.in.

Launched in 2016, the Women Startup Program is built as a journey: a five-week Foundations of Entrepreneurship course and an eight-week pre-incubation phase (together the Entrepreneurship Base Program), then an eight-month hybrid incubation, then a continuous Scale Hub for growth-stage alumni. Founders move to each next stage by selection.

What you get

• Mentoring: access to a mentor network of alumni, industry experts and VCs
• Network: connections to prospects for sales, business development and technology, and access to researchers and academicians
• Need assessment and ecosystem mapping of venture requirements
• Co-incubation with Partner Institutes
• Pro-bono legal and company secretarial advice
• Business acceleration: chances to showcase at startup events or exhibitions
• Milestone tracking
• Cohort-based learning ('women supporting women')

Who can apply

• Foundations course: women aged 18 and above with a feasible business idea
• Pre-incubation: selected from the Foundations course
• Incubation: women founders or co-founders in India with equal or majority ownership of the venture
• Incubation: an MVP, early revenue, or at least 100 sign-ups or expressions of interest from potential users
• Incubation: a detailed business model with revenue projections for the next 12 months
• Scale Hub: growth-stage alumni of women-led ventures

How selection works: Application → screening and evaluation → onboarding. Founders start with the Foundations course and move to pre-incubation and then incubation by selection. Grants in the incubation stage are awarded after assessment

How to apply: Start with the Register Your Interest form on the programme page; the full application form is the last step. Questions go to wspqueries@iimb.ac.in.

Impact Orbit is NSRCEL's social-impact track, with separate verticals for tech-enabled social innovation, skilling and livelihoods, and AgeTech. It is for impact-first ventures rather than idea-stage teams, which NSRCEL directs to Launchpad instead.

What you get

• Clarity in value proposition
• Alternate sources of funding and fundraising readiness
• Impact metrics readiness
• Funding readiness
• 1-on-1 mentoring from domain experts
• Grants and impact-investor connects

Who can apply

• For-profit or non-profit registered ventures, operating for more than a year with sustained social impact
• Early revenue to growth stage, with proven pilots or proofs of concept
• Tech-enabled or digitally inclusive solutions to social problems
• Impact-first, with direct potential to impact at least three UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Idea-stage ventures should look at Launchpad instead

How selection works: An online application with a pitch deck → an internal review with the programme team → an external panel, where you pitch for about six to seven minutes

How to apply: Apply online during the application period, using the separate form for for-profit or non-profit ventures. Questions go to nsrcel.social@nsrcel.iimb.ac.in.

This vertical backs ventures working on youth employment, future-ready skills, self-employment, rural incomes and inclusive economic participation, with particular attention to non-metro and rural contexts.

What you get

• Clarity in value proposition and business models
• Alternate sources of funding and fundraising readiness
• Legal and compliance support
• Impact measurement readiness and leadership capacity building
• Leveraging technology for scale
• 1-on-1 mentoring from domain experts
• Grants and impact-investor connects

Who can apply

• Registered for-profit or non-profit entity, in operation for at least a year
• MVP to growth stage, with a proven pilot and early customers
• At least one full-time founder
• Impact-first, with direct potential to impact at least three UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Idea-stage ventures should look at Launchpad instead

How selection works: Application → review → a one-to-one conversation with the programme team → a panel review, where you pitch for about six to seven minutes → due diligence → onboarding

How to apply: Fill the Express Your Interest form on the programme page; the link to the full application appears after you submit it. Questions go to nsrcel.social@nsrcel.iimb.ac.in.

The AgeTech vertical covers preventive and chronic care, home-based care, mobility and assistive products, financial and legal security, and social wellbeing for older adults. NSRCEL notes that onboarding does not by itself guarantee a grant.

What you get

• Clarity in value proposition and business models
• Alternate sources of funding and fundraising readiness
• Legal and compliance support
• Impact measurement readiness and leadership capacity building
• Leveraging technology for scale
• 1-on-1 mentoring from domain experts
• Grants and impact-investor connects

Who can apply

• Registered for-profit or non-profit entity, in operation for at least a year
• MVP to growth stage, with a proven pilot and early customers
• At least one full-time founder
• Impact-first, with direct potential to impact at least three UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Idea-stage ventures should look at Launchpad instead
• Onboarding does not guarantee a grant; grants follow a separate evaluation

How selection works: Application → review → a one-to-one conversation with the programme team → a panel review, where you pitch for about six to seven minutes → due diligence → onboarding

How to apply: Fill the Express Your Interest form on the programme page; the link to the full application appears after you submit it. Questions go to nsrcel.social@nsrcel.iimb.ac.in.

Velocity is for startups that already have a market-ready product and paying customers. It focuses on product and market strategy and investor readiness, and ends with a demo day. After the cohort, startups join the wider NSRCEL community.

What you get

• Product and market strategy support
• Mentorship and networking ecosystem (alumni, industry experts, VCs)
• Grant opportunities for selected startups
• Demo Day with financial readiness workshop and investor pitch
• NSRCEL Startup Kit
• Opportunity to pitch to VCs and investors

Who can apply

• DPIIT registered entity
• Fully developed MVP ready for market entry
• Already generating revenue
• Early customers or established customer base
• Registered in India
• Innovating in one of the listed sectors
• Tech first / tech enabled

How selection works: Application Submission → Application Review → Conversation with the NSRCEL Team → Panel Review → Due Diligence → Onboarding into the Program

How to apply: Apply through the Kotak BizLabs application form, or register interest on the programme page. Questions go to velocity@nsrcel.iimb.ac.in.

The Circular Bharat Accelerator targets technology startups in plastic circularity, advanced recycling, reuse and refill systems, circular supply chains, e-waste and next-generation materials. It centres on getting solutions into real pilots with corporate and public-sector partners.

What you get

• GTM-Focused Support: Practical go-to-market support centered on real-market adoption
• Structured Pilot-Readiness: Preparation to align solutions with industry and government needs
• Multi-Stakeholder Market Access: roundtables with corporates, policymakers, and ecosystem partners
• 1-on-1 Mentoring
• Grant Support: Milestone-based grant support for select pilot-ready startups
• Long-Term Alumni Ecosystem: Continued alumni access for selected startups
• Access to VC connects and grants

Who can apply

• Tech-enabled circularity-centric ventures
• Incorporated in India
• Operational for at least a year
• Market-ready product
• Early-revenue startup, and pilot-ready (TRL 5+)
• Operational for less than 10 years, team of 50 or fewer

How selection works: Application Submission → Application Review → Screening by Program Team → Jury Evaluation → Venture Due-Diligence → Onboarding into the Program

How to apply: Apply through the online application form on the programme page, or register interest for a later intake.

The Climate Incubation Hub covers clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, nature-based solutions and carbon markets. Beyond mentoring and cohort learning, Hindustan Unilever offers selected startups pilot opportunities and structured corporate validation.

What you get

• Tailored Mentorship from mentors, IIM faculty, and industry experts
• Cohort-Based Learning
• Financial support to scale solutions
• Investor Pitch Day
• Extensive Networking
• Product-Market Fit support
• Governance & Strategy
• HUL Demand Side Enabler: Pilot opportunities within HUL’s Agri-sourcing, packaging, etc

Who can apply

• Tech-enabled, climate-focused ventures
• Incorporated in India and operating for at least a year
• A market-ready product with an existing customer base
• Generating early revenue

How selection works: Application Submission → Application Review → 1:1 Conversation with the Program Team → Panel Review → Venture Due-Diligence → Onboarding into the Program

How to apply: Register interest through the form on the programme page to hear about the next intake.

This programme supports registered companies with a proven proof of concept or early revenue, working on climate-smart agriculture, plastic waste or glass recycling and recovery.

What you get

• Go-to-Market Guidance & Expert Mentorship
• Alternate Sources of Funding and Fundraising Readiness
• Access to Corporate & Industry Network
• Impact Measurement Readiness and Leadership Capacity Building
• Access to VC connects and grants

Who can apply

• Registered as an LLP or private limited company
• A proven proof of concept or early revenue, with a scalable business model
• At least one year in operation
• Working on the circular economy, climate-smart agriculture or plastic waste

How to apply: Register interest, or apply through the online application form on the programme page.

The mobility programme covers green manufacturing, mobility infrastructure, vehicle technology, industrial digital transformation and clean technology. Depending on the use case, selected startups can secure a paid proof of concept with Maruti Suzuki.

What you get

• Opportunity to secure a paid PoC with Maruti Suzuki, depending on the viability of the product use case
• Access to Domain Experts
• Investor Connect
• Prizes: a Maruti Suzuki car and an opportunity for international immersion for selected startups
• Guidance on Regulations
• Need Assessment & Mentoring
• Access to VC connects and grants; may become Maruti Suzuki Business Partner

Who can apply

• In operation for less than 10 years
• Recognised by DPIIT as a startup
• A technology-based company

How selection works: Application Submission → Application Review → Panel review with NSRCEL team & Mentors → Panel Review with Maruti Suzuki Team → Due Diligence → Onboarding into the Program

How to apply: Apply through the online application form on the programme page. Questions go to nsrcel.mobility@iimb.ac.in. Past applicants can reapply, showing their progress since.

Run with ALSTOM, this programme focuses on integrated mass mobility and last-mile solutions, shared mobility platforms, energy infrastructure, rail digitalisation and clean technology. Interest is recorded on a rolling basis rather than through a dated call.

What you get

• Mentoring from mentors, IIM faculty, and industry stalwarts
• Governance advice
• Cohort-Based Learning
• Founder Mindset
• Build Product-Market Fit
• Networking and Connects
• Grant Support (best startups receive grants from a corpus fund)
• Virtual workshops, one-on-one mentoring, masterclasses with a sustainability/mobility lens, peer learning

Who can apply

• In operation for at least a year
• Incorporated in India
• A market-ready, tech-enabled product
• An existing customer base and revenue
• Solo founders accepted

How selection works: Application Submission → Application Review → Conversation with the NSRCEL Team → Panel Review → Due Diligence → Onboarding into the Program

How to apply: Record your interest through the form on the programme page. Questions go to sustainabilityincubationprogram@iimb.ac.in.

The Renewable Energy Incubation Centre combines mentoring with lab access and technical validation, pilot and policy connections in Karnataka, and masterclasses led by UNSW. Karnataka-based startups are prioritised.

What you get

• Tailored Mentorship (business model, GTM, unit economics, scale roadmap)
• Lab Access & Technical Validation (lab support, prototype testing, IP and commercialization-readiness inputs)
• Policy, Pilot & Market Access (DISCOM connects, government pilot pathways, corporate partnerships, regulatory guidance in Karnataka)
• Grant & Funding Support (grant support, investor readiness, pitch preparation)
• Global Exposure (UNSW-led masterclasses, international innovation ecosystem access)

Who can apply

• Renewable energy or climate-tech focus
• Working prototype / validated solution (TRL 3+)
• Incorporated startup entity
• Full-time founding team
• Karnataka-based or deployable in Karnataka
• Early-stage to growth-stage startups

How selection works: Application Submission → Application Review → 1:1 Venture Review → Panel Evaluation → Venture Due Diligence → Cohort Onboarding

How to apply: Fill the Express Your Interest form on the programme page; the link to the full application appears after you submit it.

The Fintech Centre of Excellence covers payments, lending, wealthtech, insurtech, regtech, financial infrastructure and inclusion. Startups in its portfolio include BimaKavach, PensionBox, Rang De, Butter Money and Fundfina. Interest can be registered year-round.

What you get

• Access to Sandbox & Regulatory Connects (compliance, early policy signals, regulatory sandboxes)
• 1:1 Sessions with Industry Experts (stress-test GTM roadmap)
• PeerConnect founder community
• Investment Readiness (investor conversations, narrative sharpening, round structure advisory)
• Access to Partnership Connects with banks and corporates for pilots, distribution, co-development
• Workshops/AMAs with regulators, tech & infra partners
• IIMBx Fintech Skilling Program (curated learning by IIMB faculty and industry experts)
• Fintech Circuit community

Who can apply

• Fintech or allied areas
• Revenue-generating, with an existing customer base
• Seed to pre-Series A, or recommended by an investor
• A tech or tech-enabled product that is ready for market, with traction
• Registered in India

How to apply: Apply through the form on the centre's page, or join its open founder community, the Fintech Circuit. Questions go to fintech.coe@nsrcel.iimb.ac.in.

Beyond Borders helps overseas startups test and enter the Indian market through customer discovery, regulatory orientation, go-to-market support and introductions to customers and investors. It has no published application form; NSRCEL asks interested organisations to get in touch by email.

What you get

• Market validation and customer discovery
• Regulatory and compliance orientation for India
• Go-to-market and localization strategy
• Introductions to customers, investors, and partners
• Sector-specific demo days and showcases
• Targeted B2B and investor meetings
• Visits to innovation clusters and corporate hubs
• Policy dialogues and ecosystem roundtables

Who can apply

• Growth-stage, innovation-driven international startups ready to expand into India

How to apply: There is no application form. Interested startups contact the NSRCEL team by email to discuss fit.

The Climate Centre of Excellence is a hub rather than a single cohort. It brings together NSRCEL's work on climate and sustainability, including the Circular Bharat Accelerator, the Climate Incubation Hub, the two mobility programmes, the Circular Innovation Incubation Program and the Renewable Energy Incubation Centre.