KOtak Mahindra Bank partners with NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore to launch 5th cohort of women startup program

Indian private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. and NSRCEL- IIM Bangalore have announced the commencement of the fifth cohort of their Women Startup Program.

The initiative, which is part of Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to Education & Livelihood, aims to empower aspiring female entrepreneurs across India by supporting them in building scalable businesses.

The program focuses on nurturing entrepreneurial and managerial skills in women, helping them develop successful enterprises and contributing to economic growth and job creation nationwide.

Impact and achievements

Since its inception, the Women Startup Program has served as a catalyst for over 23,053 women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors including technology, social impact, agriculture, retail, healthcare, energy, environment, textile, and apparel, representing 24 states across India.

The program has provided incubation support to more than 590 ventures, leading to the creation of 2,083 jobs.

“We at NSRCEL, with the support of our esteemed partner, Kotak Mahindra Bank, have made a significant impact on India's economy by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. Through this program, we have supported ventures not only in major urban centres but also in tier 2 and tier 3 regions, driving economic growth and creating job opportunities. By supporting women entrepreneurs, we are empowering individuals and contributing to the broader economic development of our nation,” said, Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO of NSRCEL.

Program structure and phases

The fifth edition of the Women Startup Program will commence with a 5-week Foundation of Entrepreneurship (FOE) course, followed by a 2-month virtual pre-incubation phase for prototype development.

Successful candidates will then progress to a 5-month incubation period at NSRCEL to scale their ventures. 

The program is designed to support entrepreneurs at various stages—from ideation to revenue generation—offering tailored support through pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration phases.

A dedicated accelerator cohort will focus on crafts, technology, and healthcare/life sciences, with a new option for lateral entry at any stage based on the venture's suitability.

Offering financial and educational support

A total of Rs 3 crore will be disbursed among the top-performing ventures based on their achievements, providing crucial financial backing to advance their projects.

Participants will receive structured learning in business planning, marketing, finance, and operations. They will benefit from mentorship by experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, as well as networking opportunities with other women entrepreneurs and leaders in various fields.

The program also grants access to IIM Bangalore’s faculty, infrastructure, startup kits, and comprehensive legal advice on intellectual property.

The program will collaborate with 12 esteemed institutions, including IIMs, IITs, other incubation centers, and universities, to enhance its nationwide impact through comprehensive business mentoring.