SBI Foundation and NSRCEL Launch 2nd Cohort of iCube to Build Stronger Incubation Ecosystems Across India

• Empower Regional Incubators Through the Incubating Incubators (iCube) Initiative

As India's startup ecosystem continues to mature, the need for stronger, more capable incubation ecosystems has never been greater. Recognising that sustainable startup growth depends on the strength of the institutions supporting entrepreneurs, NSRCEL, the startup hub at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore), in partnership with SBI Foundation under its Innovators for Bharat initiative, has launched the second cohort of its Incubating Incubators (iCube) Initiative. The program is designed to build institutional capacity by enabling incubators across the country to strengthen their capabilities, adopt best practices, and create lasting impact within their regional innovation ecosystems.

The second cohort brings together three emerging incubation partners - AIC MAGIC (Marathwada Accelerator for Growth & Incubation Council) an initiative by CMIA (Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture), Incubation Centre, IIT Patna (IC IIT Patna), and The Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT), representing diverse innovation ecosystems across India. By participating in the iCube program, the cohort will be a part of the partnership ecosystem at NSRCEL, providing them with deeper institutional engagement, access to specialised resources, and an extended pool of mentors and experts.

The launch of the second cohort also aligns with the broader vision of government ministries and departments like NITI Aayog, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), DST ( Department of Science and Technology) and MeitY(Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India) through MeitY Startup Hub which has consistently championed capacity building as a cornerstone of India's innovation ecosystem. Through its Human Capability Development (HCD) initiatives, AIM focuses on strengthening the capabilities of incubator managers, ecosystem enablers, mentors, and innovation professionals by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and leadership required to build high-performing incubation ecosystems. By fostering structured learning, peer exchange, and practitioner-led capacity building, AIM aims to professionalise incubation practices and strengthen the institutions that enable entrepreneurship across the country.

Unlike traditional startup incubation programs that focus directly on entrepreneurs, iCube adopts a multiplier approach by strengthening the institutions that nurture startups. Through structured learning, peer-to-peer engagement, strategic mentoring, governance frameworks, and operational best practices, the initiative aims to enable incubators to become stronger anchors of regional innovation.

Participants will gain access to NSRCEL's extensive incubation ecosystem, including its network of over 110 mentors, Industry connect programs, curated learning modules, institutional tools, strategic frameworks, and knowledge-sharing sessions. The program also facilitates collaborative learning among incubators, enabling them to exchange experiences, adapt successful models to their regional contexts, and build resilient institutions that can support founders more effectively.

Mr. Subhadip Mondal, Team Lead – LEAP, SBI Foundation said "At SBI Foundation, through our Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (LEAP), we are committed to strengthening the foundations that enable entrepreneurship and innovation to thrive across India. Innovators for Bharat is a key part of this vision, with a focus on strengthening incubation ecosystems and enabling institutions to nurture entrepreneurs beyond metropolitan hubs. We believe that by equipping incubation centres with the right capabilities, resources and networks, we can unlock the immense potential of regional innovators and help ideas from across India translate into meaningful opportunities. Our partnership with NSRCEL through iCube reflects this shared vision of building a more inclusive and resilient innovation ecosystem that creates lasting impact for startups, communities and the nation’s economic growth."

Addressing the launch, Rasika Prashant, CEO, NSRCEL, remarked: “With the Indian startup ecosystem growing, the next challenge is not the addition of more incubators, but the creation of robust incubators. Each region has its own issues, opportunities, regulations, and entrepreneurship scenario that makes it necessary for us to build contextualised incubation models rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. With the iCube initiative, we are creating a community of collaboration wherein incubators can learn from each other and build institutional capacity to help better founders, startups, and regional innovation ecosystems"

The second cohort builds on the learnings from iCube Cohort 1, which reaffirmed that every incubator requires a tailored approach based on its geography, governance structure, sectoral focus, and local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The new cohort places greater emphasis on institutional reflection, strategic development, contextual problem-solving, and peer-driven learning while providing participating incubators with deeper access to NSRCEL's experience, knowledge, mentors, and ecosystem resources.

Representing one of the participating institutions, Dr. Kumar Siddharth Singh, Chief Manager, BioNEST, Incubation Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Patna, said: "Even after a decade of building an incubation ecosystem, we believe institutions must continuously evolve. Programs like iCube encourage honest reflection, help us identify gaps, and provide opportunities to learn from experienced peers. Strong incubators are built by constantly adapting, and we are excited to be part of a collaborative platform that enables exactly that."

By strengthening incubators, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect across India's entrepreneurial landscape. Better-equipped incubation institutions will be able to support more founders, enable stronger startups, generate quality employment, and contribute meaningfully to building vibrant regional innovation ecosystems that drive long-term economic growth.