Guwahati, March 02, 2026: Twelve circular economy startups from North-East India were recognised at the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad – Startup Summit in Guwahati, marking the culmination of a year-long initiative led by Pernod Ricard India Foundation and implemented by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP).
Out of 36 shortlisted ventures, 12 startups were selected through a jury-led process. The founders received structured mentorship, capacity-building support, fellowship grants and market access opportunities. The top six startups were awarded grants totalling ₹70 lakh to support commercialisation, along with buyer-seller connections and ecosystem partnerships.
Collectively, the 12 ventures employ 295 people, including 185 women, and are targeting cumulative revenues of over ₹15 crore over the next three years. The initiative focuses on building sustainability-led enterprises rooted in the region’s biodiversity and local knowledge systems.
Speaking at the summit, Ajay Jain, Chairman, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, said, “North-East India is no longer a peripheral growth story. It represents a strategic frontier in India’s sustainability-led economic transformation. The region’s biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems offer a competitive advantage in building circular economy enterprises. Circularity today is not a moral choice; it is an economic imperative. These entrepreneurs are building businesses that combine environmental responsibility with market viability, and that is the foundation of a resilient India.”
Gagandeep Singh Sethi, SVP – Integrated Operations & S&R, Pernod Ricard India, said, “The North-East holds immense untapped potential. Through our partnership with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park under the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad, we have seen how structured mentorship, capacity building and ecosystem support can transform early-stage ideas into scalable enterprises. Sustainability and growth are complementary forces. We are proud of this milestone and are committed to continuing the journey with a new cohort of entrepreneurs.”
Dr. VK Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, added, “Rooted in biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and community strength, the North East is uniquely positioned for sustainability-led entrepreneurship & poised for an exponential STEM~driven growth. The Prakriti cohort demonstrates how context-driven incubation and ecosystem partnerships can unlock this promise and create enterprises that are both impactful and scalable.”
A panel discussion during the summit highlighted funding challenges and the need for stronger market linkages and investor readiness to help green startups from the region scale sustainably.
The initiative reflects growing collaboration between corporate foundations and incubation institutions to strengthen regional entrepreneurship ecosystems and deliver measurable economic impact.
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