Guwahati: Betting on the Northeast’s growing green entrepreneurship ecosystem, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) has launched the second edition of its Prakriti Incubation Launchpad, a year-long programme aimed at nurturing startups working on sustainability and circular economy solutions across the region.
Implemented in partnership with the Pernod Ricard India Foundation (PRIF), the 12-month incubation programme will support 12 early-stage startups developing innovations in green manufacturing, waste management and recycling, cleantech, and sustainable indigenous products.
Applications are open until July 31, with the selected startups expected to begin incubation in August. The programme will culminate in a final summit in March 2027, where the six best-performing ventures will receive reward grants of up to Rs 15 lakh each, along with fellowship support extended to all participating startups.
The initiative builds on the success of its inaugural edition, which shortlisted 36 ventures before selecting 12 startups through a jury-led process.
The top six startups from the first cohort received grants totalling Rs 70 lakh.
Beyond financial support, participating startups will receive one-on-one mentoring from IIMCIP, business strategy guidance, investor pitch preparation, market access support, customised boot camps, and networking opportunities with industry stakeholders.
The programme is open to startups from the Northeast that are in the MVP, early-stage or early-revenue phase and are developing solutions in areas such as waste-to-value, recycling, green manufacturing, clean technologies, environmentally friendly innovations and sustainable indigenous products.
Announcing the second cohort, Ajay Jain, Chairman of the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park Board, said the Northeast possesses immense entrepreneurial potential rooted in its biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and traditional practices.
“With more than a decade of experience in the Northeast startup ecosystem, we see it as our responsibility to bridge the gaps that limit entrepreneurial growth.
The region’s rich natural and cultural heritage provides a strong foundation for sustainability-led innovation, and Prakriti Launchpad 2.0 aims to nurture enterprises that can transform these strengths into scalable, market-ready businesses,” he said.
Established under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, IIMCIP has supported more than 2,000 startups, provided seed funding to 136 ventures, and helped its portfolio companies raise over Rs 2,000 crore, with a combined valuation approaching Rs 8,000 crore.
Interested startups can submit applications until July 31.