IIM Ahmedabad and German Software Company SAP Launches North East Growth Lab to support early-stage agri and rural focus startup

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Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) Ventures and German software company SAP announced a financial and strategic initiative for early-stage startups in the eight Northeastern states. Application for the initiative, North East Growth Lab(NEGL) is now open and if you are a startup operating in the agriculture and rural livelihood, you may apply here: https://iimaventures.com/programs/north-east-growth-labs/

While the focus area of the initiative is listed as Agriculture and Rural livelihood, in another section of IIMA Venture’s NEGL webpage states that they want to foster innovation. How? By encouraging groundbreaking solutions in climate tech, clean tech, health tech, sustainable tourism, fintech , edtech, crafts,  and agriculture and livelihoods. This will reportedly be done by offering mentoring, financial reviews, and business development support to ensure sustainable growth. IIMA Ventures also claims that they will provide opportunities to entrepreneurs from the North East to connect to markets, specifically businesses and corporations. However, there is no mention of at what capacity and scale such opportunities will be made. 

IIMA Venture claims that this initiative will bring in regional development by strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Eastern India, creating opportunities for local talent and businesses.That is once again,a claim which we will have to observe for now and measure in the future.

The offering under this accelerator program includes: 

• 3 days of (intensive!) bootcamp for 25 selected startups. This will be held in Guwahati.

• 15 startups will receive grants averaging ₹3.25 lakhs. Word to focus: Averaging

• 15 diagnostic and mentoring clinics per selected startup. There is no clarity on what this is exactly. Does diagnostic and mentoring clinic mean they will analyse company’s health and advice on how to best run the business? Perhap.

• Gain access to industry pioneers with mentorship from IIMA Ventures. This phrase really means nothing in reality. Perhaps they will conduct sessions where people from the dedicated sphere will lecture on best practices. Perhaps.

• Portfolio support, monthly office hours for one year. Once again, not a very clear phrase for a layperson like me.

Eligibility:

• The company must be based in any of the eight Northeast states. However, the frequently asked question (FAQ) section of the webpage states this: The startup can be based out of any other geography in India. However, if their operations are based out of NE and the impact is being created in the NE, they are still eligible to apply.

• The program focus is to support Agri & Rural Livelihoods entrepreneurs. 

• Target sectors include: Food, agribusiness, agroforestry, agritech, crafts, traditional textiles, ethnic tourism, or financial inclusion

• Early-stage startups with scalable, innovative solutions, incorporated up to 5 years before the start of the program

According to Eastmojo, the NEGL initiative builds on the 2021 initiative Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab (AAGL), which was launched under IIMA’s Centre for Innovation Incubation & Entrepreneurship(CIIE)(later rebranded as IIMA Ventures in 2024) and Innovative Change Collaborative Services Private Limited(ICCSPL). While the scope of AAGL was Assam-centric, NEGL has now expanded its scope to include the other seven (7)Northeastern states.