Kolkata, March 02: IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) today announced the successful conclusion of the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme – Cohort 2, marked by a high-impact Demo Day and Valedictory Ceremony held at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta campus. A Government of West Bengal initiative implemented in collaboration with IIMCIP and supported under the World Bank-aided RAMP Scheme, the programme is designed to bridge the gap between Bengal’s early-stage ventures and investment readiness. The cohort concluded with 25 high-potential startups positioned for their next phase of growth
The Demo Day featured intensive pitch sessions with leading investors, bankers, and entrepreneurs, enabling startups to receive strategic feedback and initiate early investment discussions. At the Valedictory Ceremony, participating startups were awarded certificates of recognition by the Government of West Bengal and IIMCIP, in the presence of senior dignitaries and ecosystem stakeholders.
The Bengal Business Accelerator Programme is a structured acceleration initiative offering early-stage startups targeted mentoring, market validation support, and direct access to capital networks, helping founders move from concept validation to investor readiness within a defined timeframe.
“Our objective with the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme goes beyond teaching business fundamentals, it is about building a comprehensive support system that enables ventures to strengthen their business models, access new markets, and connect with the right investors,” said Dr. VK Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. “The significant strides made by Cohort 2 companies reflect both the founders’ dedication and Bengal’s maturing entrepreneurial environment, which continues to reinforce the state’s broader business ecosystem.”
Special Secretary, MSME & T Department, Government of West Bengal, said, “Bengal has always been a land of visionaries and pioneers. Through the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme, the Government is reaffirming its commitment to reclaim the state’s rich entrepreneurial legacy, empowering promising enterprises with the resources, networks, and guidance they need to drive sustainable socio-economic growth. Our partnership with IIMCIP reflects our belief that institutional collaboration is key to building an innovation-driven future.”
With 25 startups now positioned for investor engagement and scale, the conclusion of Cohort 2 reinforces IIMCIP’s role as a key institutional catalyst for entrepreneurship in India, while advancing West Bengal’s long term vision of a resilient, innovation-led economy.