IIM Calcutta Innovation Park to Train 50,000 Women Entrepreneurs in Jharkhand

Kolkata, May 11, 2026: IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) has announced a large-scale initiative to train 50,000 women entrepreneurs across all 24 districts of Jharkhand, strengthening its focus on inclusive entrepreneurship and livelihood development.

The programme follows a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), outlining a three-year plan to build and support women-led enterprises at the grassroots level.

Under the initiative, IIMCIP will implement a structured training programme aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities, improving access to markets, and enabling income growth. The approach is designed to address the needs of women entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas through customised interventions focused on business development and innovation.

The programme aligns with national priorities such as Viksit Bharat Mission and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission, which emphasise livelihood generation, financial inclusion, and women-led economic participation.

Dr V.K. Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, said, “Women entrepreneurs, particularly from the grassroots, represent a significant opportunity to drive inclusive economic growth in India. Their talent, ambition, and entrepreneurial potential deserve all the opportunities our ecosystem can provide. Our purpose and role at IIMCIP is to transform this powerful potential into sustainable businesses that generate a lasting impact for their families and communities.”

IIMCIP has been working to bridge gaps in the startup and livelihood ecosystem by supporting both grassroots entrepreneurs and innovation-led ventures. Since its inception, the incubator has enabled more than 500 startups and contributed to the creation of 59 ‘Crorepati Didis’, reflecting income growth among women entrepreneurs supported through its programmes.

The expansion in Jharkhand is expected to further strengthen community-based entrepreneurship by equipping women with skills, resources, and market linkages required to build sustainable enterprises.