New Delhi, Aug 01, 2025: SAP, a global leader in enterprise application software and Business AI, in collaboration with IIMA Ventures, has launched the Northeast Growth Labs (NEGL), a new initiative aimed at strengthening social entrepreneurship in the Northeast region of India. The program seeks to empower 75 social enterprises by offering access to technical resources, catalytic funding, and business development opportunities.
Spanning all eight states of Northeast India, NEGL aims to create a resilient enterprise ecosystem by focusing on key sectors such as agri-tech, education, and healthcare. The initiative is expected to enhance livelihoods for over 3,000 people, promote environmental sustainability, and accelerate inclusive social progress. The collaboration combines SAP’s social procurement agenda with IIMA Ventures’ expertise in startup incubation and impact investing.
“Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship with local impact is core to SAP’s mission,” said Manish Prasad, President and Managing Director, SAP Indian Subcontinent. “We’ve supported over 200 social enterprises, and our Northeast Growth Labs initiative, in partnership with IIMA Ventures, strengthens our commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth. These ventures are transforming communities and creating an equitable future.”
Chintan Bakshi, Partner – Incubation at IIMA Ventures, added, “NEGL is not just a program extension—it’s a bold regional platform combining capital, capacity, and connections to back fearless entrepreneurs solving for India’s next frontier of innovation.”
The initiative began with a bootcamp in Guwahati, where the first cohort of social enterprises engaged in sessions on AI applications, business storytelling, B2B sales strategies, and opportunity mapping tailored to regional needs. NEGL also actively engages government bodies, development organizations, institutional investors, and public institutions to amplify its impact.
NEGL builds on the foundation of the Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab, which supported regional enterprises with early-stage investments and grants. Some of the ventures participating in NEGL include:
- Dream Hives – a honey-based heritage wine brand sourcing from Farmer Producer Organizations and Companies.
- Chezfresco – a food innovation venture supporting small-scale food entrepreneurs.
- Greengen Agri Biotech – offering biotech solutions for small tea growers.
- Fuloni Agritech – supporting artisans through biodegradable urban gardening products.
- Pustikor Foods – promoting Assam’s Joha rice heritage through sustainable agriculture.
With this initiative, SAP and IIMA Ventures aim to create a scalable model for inclusive and responsible business transformation rooted in the strengths of local communities. The program aligns with India’s broader development goals and emphasizes long-term, sustainable growth for underserved regions.
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