Bangaluru, Jan 17 : On National Start-up Day, the SBI Foundation and NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore announced the launch of the ‘Incubating Incubators Initiative (i-Cube)’ to foster entrepreneurial ecosystems in underrepresented regions of India.
The initiative, part of the Innovators for Bharat programme by SBI Foundation and the Ecosystem Capacity Building Initiative at NSRCEL, aims to establish and enhance incubation centres in underserved areas, including the northeast, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and hill states. By delivering localized resources, mentorship, and capacity-building expertise, i-Cube seeks to strengthen existing incubators and accelerators, enabling them to scale, refine their services, and amplify their impact on India’s startup ecosystem.
“By collaborating with state missions, educational institutions, knowledge partners, industry leaders, and government bodies, the initiative will empower entrepreneurs, with a special focus on women and youth in historically underrepresented regions,” stated the release from SBI Foundation and NSRCEL.
The programme emphasizes nurturing incubators in smaller cities and rural areas to create localized innovation hubs. Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director of SBI Foundation, shared, *“Innovators for Bharat was created to support high-impact incubators addressing critical development challenges in India. Recognizing the need for more inclusive support in smaller towns and rural centres, we’re proud to partner with NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, to foster innovation across these underserved regions.”
Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO of NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, saying, “This initiative bridges the gap in entrepreneurial infrastructure across underserved regions. By empowering incubators and supporting entrepreneurs, we aim to build an ecosystem that drives innovation, creates jobs, and stimulates economic growth.”
The i-Cube initiative marks a significant step towards addressing regional disparities in entrepreneurial opportunities, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and robust startup landscape in India.
