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.

SBI Foundation, Social Alpha Select Top 4 Start-ups from Assistive Technology Challenge

Representative Image via  Eren Li from Pexels

Winning start-ups, Tinkertech, Cureous Labs, Urvogelbio, and Quarkbitz, to get grant and incubation support for 1 year

A comfortable wearable assistive technology device for the deaf, a device for pressure injuries and bedsores, a biofluid based diagnostics tool to effectively manage central nervous system diseases and other neurodegenerative conditions, and an AI-powered mobile app that empowers the blind, were the four winning solutions at the recently concluded Techtonic: Innovation in Assistive Technology. Jointly conducted by Social Alpha and the SBI Foundation, the challenge invited innovators and entrepreneurs working on products and services that address the difficulties faced by people with disabilities (PwDs) and enable them to lead an empowered life.

The challenge received an overwhelming participation from startups across India. The participants were evaluated based on technological innovation, social impact, and business roadmap among other parameters. The program focused on the following areas: Visual Impairment, Developmental Disorders and Chronic Neurological Conditions, Locomotor Disabilities, and Speech & Hearing Disabilities.

The four winners were chosen from 21 finalists. The winners, Tinkertech, Cureous Labs, Urvogelbio, and Quarkbitz, are eligible for a grant support of INR 15 lakhs, and a year-long Incubation support from Social Alpha. The top 10 finalists, including the winners, are eligible for a Certificate Program in Assistive Technology Solutions by National Institute for Speech and Hearing (NISH).

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kshama Kothari, Director of Health and Wellness, Social Alpha, said, “We, at Social Alpha, recognise the need to promote and support R&D in Assistive Technology that can play a pivotal role in reducing social gaps and improve the quality of life of PwDs. I thank SBI Foundation for its enduring commitment to creating an inclusive development paradigm and its support to the Techtonic initiative. Social Alpha will strive to create an enabling ecosystem for AT products and services and catalyse their lab-to-market journey."

Smt. Manjula Kalyanasundaram, Managing Director - SBI Foundation, said, “SBI Foundation remains committed to using technology for development, making it accessible to everyone in our society. According to estimates, 1 in every 12 households in India has a family member with a disability. However, due to low literacy levels, social stigma, and lack of opportunities, PwDs remain the most excluded members of the society. Through our flagship program Centre of Excellence for Persons with Disabilities and partners, we aim to scout and nurture assistive technologies that foster inclusivity, remove barriers for PwDs in everyday life and promote holistic development and growth."

According to estimates, India accounts for 40 to 80 million PwDs - i.e., 1 in 12 households has a family member with a disability. However, due to low literacy levels, social stigma, and lack of opportunities, PwDs remain the most excluded members of society. A large number of children with disabilities stay out of school, disabled adults are unlikely to be employed, families with a disabled member tend to be economically weaker, and the ageing population puts a lot of financial stress at both the household and national level. Techtonic: Innovation in Assistive Technology is aimed at scouting and nurturing assistive technologies that foster inclusivity and remove barriers for PwDs in everyday life.

About the winners of the Techtonic: Innovation in Assistive Technology

Tinkertech has built “TranscribeGlass”, a comfortable wearable assistive technology device for the deaf, hard of hearing, the elderly, and other people who want to improve their comprehension of spoken communication using captions.

Cureous Labs has built a solution for pressure injuries and bedsores in spinal cord injury, quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis patients, who are bedridden and lack mobility.

Urvogelbio is developing and commercializing biofluid-based diagnostics to effectively manage central nervous system diseases for prognosis/diagnosis of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Quarkbitz has built “AudibleVision", a multipurpose AI powered mobile app that empowers the blind and people with low vision to access visual information. During the pandemic, it helped users to maintain social distancing.

SBI Foundation Partners with Khan Academy to Accelerate Localization of Content and Last-Mile Access to Education in India

This partnership will empower more than 1,00,000 learners, 5,000 teachers over 3,000 schools in Punjab in FY 2021-22

SBI Foundation is partnering with Khan Academy to support the mission of making high-quality educational content accessible to students in Punjab and accelerate content localisation so that every student can learn in their own language. This partnership strengthens efforts in content localisation as per the latest National Education Policy with support from the State Governments and public schools to democratise access to high-quality learning resources.

The focus of the partnership will be on successfully implementing a personalised math learning program for 1,00,000 learners in Punjab. SBI Foundation and SBI Funds Management Pvt. Ltd. are exclusively providing funding support for math content localisation in Punjabi and teacher training programs consisting of over 5,000 teachers across 3,000 schools in Punjab.

With the SBI Foundation’s support, Khan Academy and the Govt. of Punjab will create new math lessons consisting of videos, articles and practice exercises in Punjabi aiming at all learners in Punjab’s public schools. This content will also be available on Khan Academy’s platform for free for all students. This will help students from Grades 6-12 build a solid foundational understanding in math and learn at their own pace while enabling teachers to identify learning gaps and address them individually. As a part of this initiative, the team at Khan Academy will work closely with the Punjab Government to educate over 5,000 teachers on how to use Khan Academy’s learning content and effectively implement personalised math learning in the classroom.

Talking about the initiative, Ms. Manjula Kalyanasundaram, Managing Director, SBI Foundation, expressed her profound excitement on the partnership. “At SBI Foundation, we are working to enhance and sustain the students’ interest in learning mathematics because we see math at the core of logical thinking and reasoning for the children. Innovative teaching methods can help improve learning outcomes for children and therefore, we are elated to have partnered with Khan Academy India in strengthening the mathematical abilities of 1,00,000 learners.”

Additionally, Khan Academy will leverage the nationwide reach of SBI to reach every household beyond the metros, especially tier 2-5 towns, and villages. Commenting on this development, Sandeep Bapna, MD, Khan Academy India, said, “SBI Foundation is committed to empowering learners with strong foundational education through various initiatives and we feel extremely encouraged by their support for content localisation and helping us to reach every household in India. Together, we are going to create essential learning content in regional languages so that millions of students and teachers can learn in their own language and focus on what is important.”

The pandemic resulted in sudden school closures and disrupted learning, especially for students from low-income households in rural India. These students’ study in their respective regional languages and there is a surge in demand for high-quality educational content in local languages such as Punjabi. Every month almost 1 million students visit Khan Academy in India and 15-20% of them study in their local languages which is likely to increase to about 50% in the coming years. Khan Academy is committed to making world-class education accessible to students in India and all over the world and currently available in English, Hinglish, Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi, and Gujarati, aligned to the Indian curriculum.

About SBI Foundation

SBI Foundation is the CSR arm of State Bank of India which was launched in 2015 to carry out its CSR activities as well as those of its subsidiaries. As the CSR arm of the premier bank of India, SBI Foundation aims to be the leading institution promoting growth and equality responsive to the communities it serves, particularly the vulnerable and marginalised sections of the society.

About Khan Academy India

Khan Academy India (KAI) is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in India, with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for millions of learners in India. KAI is founded by Khan Academy Inc. and Tata Trusts and also supported by Central Square Foundation and SBI Foundation. We offer quizzes, questions, instructional videos, and articles on a range of academic subjects, including math, biology, chemistry, physics, history, economics, finance, grammar, preschool learning, and more. Our mastery learning system allows students to learn at their own pace. We provide teachers with tools and data so they can help their students develop the skills, habits, and mindsets for success in school and beyond. Our resources are available in English, Hindi, Hinglish, Gujarati and Kannada. For more information, visit india.khanacademy.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.