Global tech leader SAP and startup accelerator IIMA Ventures have teamed up to launch the Northeast Growth Labs initiative, a bold step toward empowering social enterprises and impact-driven startups across Northeast India.
This first-of-its-kind collaboration aims to foster sustainable development, promote local innovation, and fuel inclusive economic growth in one of India’s most underserved regions.
What Is the Northeast Growth Labs Initiative?
The Northeast Growth Labs initiative is designed as a capacity-building and incubation platform tailored for early- to mid-stage social enterprises in all eight Northeastern states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.
Program Highlights Include:
- 8-month hybrid accelerator program
- Customized mentorship by IIMA alumni and SAP professionals
- Access to funding opportunities through investor pitch days
- Workshops on business development, sustainability, and tech enablement
- Focus on enterprises creating measurable social and environmental impact
Why Northeast India Needs This Boost
Despite its immense potential, Northeast India faces significant economic barriers. Many young entrepreneurs lack access to networks, capital, and business education. Social enterprises that could drive change often struggle to scale or attract investment.
According to a report by NITI Aayog, Northeast India contributes just over 2.5% to India’s GDP despite comprising 8% of its population. The Northeast Growth Labs initiative directly addresses this imbalance by building entrepreneurial capacity and resilience.
“There’s no dearth of talent in the Northeast. What’s missing is a structured support system, and that’s exactly what this program is bringing,” said Aparna Singh, Director at SAP India CSR.
A Unique Partnership: SAP x IIMA Ventures
Combining Global Tech and Grassroots Innovation
SAP India’s corporate social responsibility arm is known for supporting digital literacy, skill development, and social impact initiatives. Partnering with IIMA Ventures—an incubator backed by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A)—brings deep academic and practical experience in nurturing scalable startups.
Together, they will help bridge the gap between global business knowledge and local entrepreneurial challenges.
“We believe this collaboration will unlock new ideas and business models from the region. Our alumni network and industry mentors will work closely with founders on the ground,” said Dev Mehta, Program Director at IIMA Ventures.
Who Can Apply and How?
Eligibility for the Northeast Growth Labs Initiative
- Early- to mid-stage social enterprises based in Northeast India
- Startups working in healthcare, education, agriculture, environment, or livelihoods
- Ventures with a clear impact model and potential to scale
- Founders from tribal, women-led, or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply
Applications are open until August 31, 2025 on the official portal:
https://www.northeastgrowthlabs.org
Voices From the Region
Several young founders have already expressed excitement about the initiative.
“We run an agri-tech startup helping tribal farmers in Nagaland. With access to better tech and mentorship, we can finally take this to more villages,” shared Limasenla Imchen, co-founder of a Dimapur-based startup.
Entrepreneurs from remote districts like Tawang, Tuensang, and West Tripura also see this as a rare opportunity to connect with mentors and investors who typically overlook their region.
Why This Matters for India’s Startup Ecosystem
Northeast India has long been underrepresented in India’s booming startup scene. Initiatives like Startup India and Digital India have gained traction in metro areas but often fail to reach the Northeast.
The Northeast Growth Labs initiative seeks to change that by:
- Decentralizing entrepreneurship support
- Focusing on impact-first, not profit-only, businesses
- Fostering inclusive growth beyond Tier-1 cities
Let’s Grow Northeast Together
Are you a founder, mentor, policymaker, or investor passionate about equitable growth? Now is the time to act. The Northeast Growth Labs initiative is more than a program—it’s a movement to redefine entrepreneurship in India’s eastern frontier.
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