Vision:
To create a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem at IMI Kolkata
Mission:
- Expand industry academia interface at IMI Kolkata
- Increase service offerings provided by the incubation center
- Onboard more incubatees and local business accelerator industry partners
- Monitor student performance and implement feedback
- Liaise with different departments to showcase entrepreneurship initiatives
- Create systems for excellence in communication, operations and management of all entrepreneurship activities
The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at IMI Kolkata aims to foster and nurture a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem at the Institute and beyond.
Entrepreneurship is one of the fundamental pillars in the vision statement of IMI Kolkata. The new Section 8 Company will act as a Special Purpose Vehicle to meet the objectives of promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.
IMI Kolkata’s entrepreneurship center aims to foster innovation, build a startup ecosystem, and address challenges through sustainable ventures. The initiative seeks to create jobs while supporting regional and national economic growth through industry-academia partnerships and comprehensive training programs.
The center has established a 30-seat incubation facility, registered as a Section 8 company with tax benefits for donors, and launched an operational website. It has formed strategic partnerships with organizations like Zoho Corporation and developed the 6-month New Venture Development and Local Business Accelerator Program.
Services include the New Venture Development course generating 8-10 yearly startup projects, mentoring, office space, business support services, networking events, and seed grants. Initially targeting IMI Kolkata students, the program will expand to serve the broader Kolkata community.
About the COE & Member details
- Dr. Rahul Kapoor (Coordinator)
- Dr. Sachin Modgil (Coordinator)
- Dr. Sahil Singh Jasrotia (Coordinator)
- Mr. Avijit Das (Member – May 2025)
- Ms. Mousumi Saha (Member)
- Mr. Kaustav Majumdar (Member)
IMI-Kolkata has created an innovation and startup policy under the guidelines of National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP), 2019. The policy lays the platform for encouraging student and faculty entrepreneurship; and development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
IMI Kolkata Innovation & Startup Policy (Last update :15-Apr-2025 )
National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP)for Reference
- Formation of Advisory Body
- Raising pre-seed funding grants for early stage startups
- Onboard IMI Kolkata’s alumni startups
- Solicit applications from wider network of local residents of Kolkata
- Building a team. Hiring entrepreneurship coordinator and program manager (2025)
- MoU with Wadhwani Foundation to implement (i) IGNITE program and (ii) LIFTOFF program (2025)
- Strengthen MSME partner network to 100+ (currently 50 to 60)
- Conduct Investor Meet (2026)
- Sign partnerships with Cloud service providers and more startup enablers (2026-27)
- Launch online program for creating a bigger startup funnel
- Conduct regular workshops and events on all aspects of startup development
- Continue building the innovation team and software infrastructure to manage events, programs, startups, etc.
- Fully built incubation center with 30 people seating capacity.
- Registered Section 8 company, including 80G/12A registration. Donors qualify for 50% tax deduction
- Large network of MSME partners within local startup community
- MoUs with Zoho Corporation, CII Young India and Calcutta Management Association
- Developed 6-month Neev Incubation Program as “Accelerator” for startups
- Currently 11 incorporated startups incubated (incubatees link)
- 6-Month New Venture Development Program (student startup projects)
Local Business Accelerator
About the Program
This program on local business accelerator focuses on offering a real-time exposure to PGDM students, where they can consult and help local businesses to improve their bottom line preferably through low cost solutions and implement them. The participants are mapped to different local businesses according to their present skills. Often these are small to medium sized-business, social enterprises or voluntary sector organisation – an organisation that may not have the funds or managerial resources to address its most significant challenges. This will be a win-win situation both for small and micro scale businesses as well as IMI-K students. This helps IMI-K to develop integrated thinking and problem solving skills among students while developing and implementing unique solutions at local businesses. This way we contribute to the development of society and economy as well.Read more.
LBA Videos
Gravitas AI
Diverse Genomics
Philoyes
Innovative Course
LBA Testimonials
“The student team from IMI Kolkata brought fresh energy and valuable insights to Diverse Genomics through the LBA program. Their strategies helped us enhance brand visibility and develop new customer segments. We saw a noticeable uptick in inquiries and client retention. It was a truly impactful and result-driven collaboration.”
— Saurav Jaiswal, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Diverse Genomics
“Working with IMI Kolkata students through the LBA program added real value to Artsty’s growth journey. Their creative strategies enhanced our online presence and helped us reach a wider art-loving audience. Their professionalism and fresh perspective were truly impressive. I look forward to more such collaborations.”
— Pooja Saria, Founder, Artsty
“The student team from IMI Kolkata brought fresh energy and valuable insights to Pacific Designs through the LBA program. Their strategies helped us enhance brand visibility and streamline customer engagement. We saw a noticeable uptick in inquiries and client retention. It was a truly impactful and result-driven collaboration.”
— Sumangal Pugalia, Founder, Pacific Designs
“Collaborating with IMI Kolkata students through the LBA program of IMI Kolkata was a turning point for Coftea. Their market research and branding inputs helped us refine our product positioning and attract new customer segments. The structured recommendations they offered gave direction to our retail expansion strategy. Truly a rewarding and enriching experience.”
— Ankit Chhaparia, Founder, Coftea
“The students from IMI Kolkata contributed valuable insights through structured research and content development. Their efforts added meaningful value to our ongoing projects.”
— Aswini Bajaj, CEO, Leveraged Growth.
“The IMI Kolkata student team demonstrated remarkable understanding and initiative in exploring blockchain-based solutions for our operations. Their contribution helped us identify practical use-cases for Veridoc’s technology in new markets. Their research and prototypes added real value to our innovation roadmap. A commendable and forward-thinking collaboration”
— Rahul Singh, CEO, Swaransh IT Solutions.
New Venture Development course focuses on understanding the opportunities that lie in the market to develop a new venture. This course includes ideation, validation, market- product fit, fundraising, networking, business planning, developing, launching and much more. The objective of this program is to enable students across specializations interested in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation, offering the necessary platform, tools and resources to get started.
- Venture Ideas worked upon in 2022-23 – See the attachment
- Venture Ideas worked upon in 2023-24 – See the attachment
- Venture Ideas worked upon in 2024-25 – See the attachment
