Kotak BizLabs Accelerator 2026 — ₹30L Grant for Impact Startups — Frequently Asked Questions

It is a CSR initiative of Kotak Mahindra Bank delivered in collaboration with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, a nonprofit company set up under the aegis of IIM Calcutta to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. The accelerator is designed to support and scale 20 early-revenue-stage startups that are building innovative, commercially viable solutions with measurable social and/or environmental impact. IIM Calcutta Innovation Park has, over more than eight years, reached out to 1 million youth across India, catalysed 35,000+ ideas, mentored 5,500+ entrepreneurs and supported 100+ startups, and has provided seed funding support of ₹26 crore while facilitating follow-on funding of ₹1,946 crore for its incubated startups.

Selected startups may receive non-repayable grant support of up to ₹30 lakh. The grant is released through an initial disbursement along with performance-linked additional support, and it remains subject to programme guidelines, due diligence and the achievement of milestones.

No. The support is structured as a grant and no equity investment is indicated as part of it. Any support extended is governed by the applicable grant agreement and programme conditions, but the funding itself is non-dilutive.

The programme is meant for early-revenue-stage startups with proven revenue traction during the last 12 months. Applicants must be working in one or more of the identified focus sectors, hold valid DPIIT registration, demonstrate social and/or environmental impact, and show the potential to strengthen their business model, scale operations, expand their customer base and grow revenue.

Yes. Applicants are required to be DPIIT registered, and the startup should also be able to demonstrate a clear connection with at least one of the programme's primary focus sectors.

Yes. The programme is pan-India, so founders from anywhere in the country may apply. Outreach activities, however, place a particular focus on startups and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the East and North-East of India.

Twenty startups are selected for the cohort. The acceleration journey runs for approximately nine months, covering mentoring sessions, workshops and bootcamps, market and corporate connects, investor interactions and progress monitoring.

Participants get one-on-one and need-based mentoring covering areas such as business strategy, go-to-market, revenue growth, financial management, fundraising and operations, with over 150 mentoring hours envisaged across the cohort. They also receive capacity-building bootcamps and webinars, market-access and buyer interactions, corporate connects, strategic partnerships, investor round tables and curated investor connects, fundraising-readiness support, and a Demo Day platform for top performers.

Evaluation happens in stages. Submitted applications are first screened for eligibility and alignment with programme objectives. Shortlisted startups are then invited to pitch to a selection committee that includes representatives from Kotak Mahindra Bank and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. The committee assesses ventures on five dimensions — problem-solution fit, business viability, innovation, impact potential and scalability — and its decision is final and binding.

Applications close on 31 October 2026. Interested startups should submit their application through the official portal at https://kotakbizlabs.accubate.app/ext/form/24005/1/apply. Selected startups will then complete onboarding, which includes due diligence and formalising their participation.

Kotak BizLabs Accelerator 2026 — ₹30L Grant for Impact Startups is offered by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.