New initiative to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive development through structured mentorship and funding access
SAP India, in collaboration with IIMA Ventures—the business incubator of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad—has launched Northeast Growth Labs (NEGL), a new initiative aimed at nurturing and scaling social enterprises across the Northeastern region of India. The initiative was officially announced on August 1, 2025, in New Delhi and marks a significant step toward enabling inclusive growth in one of India’s most underrepresented regions in entrepreneurship.
The NEGL program is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities in the Northeastern states by supporting mission-driven startups through a structured capacity-building and acceleration program. It will primarily focus on enterprises creating impact in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Why the Northeast, Why Now?
India’s Northeast, despite being rich in culture and resources, has historically faced challenges in infrastructure, access to capital, and institutional support for entrepreneurship. Through NEGL, SAP and IIMA Ventures aim to bridge this gap by fostering a robust ecosystem that enables innovation to flourish in the region.
Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP & MD, SAP Labs India and Head of SAP Women in Tech, emphasized the long-term vision of the program: “The launch of Northeast Growth Labs underscores SAP’s commitment to inclusive digitization and supporting high-impact ventures that can transform communities. This is not just about funding, but creating pathways for innovation and sustainable growth.”
What NEGL Offers
The NEGL initiative will provide selected startups with:
- Mentorship & Coaching: Structured sessions with domain experts, academicians, and impact investors
- Capacity Building: Workshops focused on digital transformation, financial management, product strategy, and impact measurement
- Access to Markets & Funding: Facilitation of corporate partnerships and investor connects
- IIMA Ecosystem: Leverage the academic and entrepreneurial resources of IIMA and its incubator
The program is expected to run in cohorts, starting later this year, and will be headquartered out of a dedicated regional hub in the Northeast. Applications for the first cohort are expected to open soon, and the selection criteria will prioritize ventures with a strong social mission, operational traction, and scalable models.
Strategic Collaboration with IIMA Ventures
IIMA Ventures, known for its track record in scaling impact-led enterprises, brings academic rigor and entrepreneurial mentorship to the initiative. The organization has previously incubated several successful startups in healthtech, edtech, and agritech domains.
Commenting on the partnership, Vivek Shah, CEO of IIMA Ventures, said, “We see tremendous untapped potential in Northeast India. This partnership with SAP will allow us to systematically nurture and empower enterprises working on some of the most pressing challenges in the region.”
Aligning with Broader ESG Goals
This initiative also aligns with SAP’s global sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agenda. By backing ventures that focus on measurable social outcomes, SAP aims to embed long-term impact into its business and innovation ecosystem.
NEGL reflects a growing trend where large corporations are working with academic institutions and accelerators to extend innovation beyond metro hubs, enabling underserved geographies to participate in India’s tech-driven growth story.
Broader Implications for the Startup Ecosystem
As India’s startup landscape matures, there is a clear shift towards supporting regional innovation and grassroots entrepreneurship. Programs like NEGL not only create platforms for young ventures but also redefine what inclusive growth means in the context of India’s digital economy.
With India aiming to become a $5 trillion economy, inclusive development through socially conscious enterprises will play a crucial role. Initiatives like NEGL have the potential to become a blueprint for similar partnerships in other underserved regions across the country.