Naaripreneur for Her Program Cohort 2 – IIMV FIELD

The Naaripreneur for Her Program (NFHP) Cohort 2 is an intensive 11-month incubation initiative spearheaded by IIMV FIELD, the dedicated innovation and entrepreneurship foundation of IIM Visakhapatnam. This program receives crucial backing as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) endeavor from NBCC India Ltd, a prominent Government of India Navratna Public Sector Undertaking. Building on the success of its inaugural cohort, which earned recognition as the Second Best CSR Project for Women Development at the PRSI National Awards, Cohort 2 is designed to support up to 75 entrepreneurs through a structured, multi-phase journey. The program is scheduled to run from May 2026 to March 2027.

NFHP Cohort 2 welcomes two primary categories of ventures: those led by women, regardless of their product, service, or sector, and ventures specifically developing solutions for women across diverse domains such as health, safety, education, financial independence, and livelihood creation. A key feature is its inclusivity, as entrepreneurs can apply with just an idea, with no prior business, traction, or formal incorporation required.

The program unfolds across three distinct phases. Phase 1 initiates with a nationwide call for applications. Subsequently, Phase 2 (Pre-Incubation) engages up to 75 shortlisted applicants in structured online capacity-building sessions. These sessions cover essential entrepreneurial topics including ideation techniques, idea validation, lean canvas development, core business model components, marketing strategies, operational efficiency, financial management, performance tracking, and effective storytelling. Participants successfully completing Phase 2 are required to submit a lean canvas and a pitch video, which are crucial for selection into the next stage.

Phase 3 (Incubation) offers six months of intensive support to up to 25 selected ventures. This phase includes structured mentorship from IIMV faculty, seasoned industry experts, and specialized sector professionals. Participants gain valuable access to IIMV FIELD's extensive ecosystem and alumni network. A highlight of this phase is a 2-day on-campus bootcamp, specifically focusing on the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and strategies for fundraising. The program culminates in a graduation ceremony, where the top 5 startups are awarded performance-based grants, collectively amounting to up to ₹5 lakh.

The program's affiliation with IIM Visakhapatnam, a premier central government management institution, provides participants with access to rigorous business education, expert faculty mentorship, and a growing network of alumni and industry connections. The CSR support from NBCC India Ltd further enhances the program's institutional credibility and resource availability.

• 11-month incubation by IIMV FIELD for women-led startups.
• Open to ventures creating solutions specifically for women.
• Performance-based grants up to ₹5 lakh for the top 5 startups.
• Welcomes idea-stage applicants; no prior traction or incorporation needed.
• Includes structured mentorship, capacity building, and an AI/fundraising bootcamp.
• Supported as a CSR initiative by NBCC India Ltd.

The Naaripreneur for Her Program Cohort 2 is open to a broad spectrum of women entrepreneurs and innovators across India.

• Ventures led by women: This includes any startup or business where a woman holds a leadership position, working on any product or service, across any industry sector.
• Ventures building solutions for women: This category is for enterprises developing solutions specifically addressing women's needs in areas such as health, safety, education, financial independence, livelihood creation, or any other relevant domain.
• Stage-agnostic: The program welcomes applicants at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey, explicitly including those with just an idea, without requiring an existing business or prior market traction.
• No geographical or formal entity restrictions: Applications are accepted from any location across India. There is no minimum revenue, traction, or formal incorporation requirement to apply.

Applications for Naaripreneur for Her Program Cohort 2 – IIMV FIELD are open and the current deadline is 30 Jun 2026. Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.

The primary financial benefit of the Naaripreneur for Her Program Cohort 2 is the provision of performance-based grants. The top 5 startups at the conclusion of the 11-month program will receive grants totaling up to ₹5 lakh. These grants are non-dilutive, meaning no equity stake is taken from the recipient startups.

Beyond the direct financial assistance, the program's core value lies in its comprehensive structured incubation support, available to up to 25 ventures selected for the incubation phase. This support package includes:

• Structured Mentorship: Guidance from experienced IIMV faculty, industry leaders, and sector-specific experts.
• Capacity Building: Online sessions covering crucial business aspects from ideation to financial management.
• Ecosystem Access: Connection to IIMV FIELD's extensive network and alumni community.
• On-Campus Bootcamp: A 2-day intensive session focused on AI adoption strategies and effective fundraising techniques.

Naaripreneur for Her Program Cohort 2 – IIMV FIELD is offered by IIMV FIELD, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by IIMV FIELD as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to Naaripreneur for Her Program Cohort 2 – IIMV FIELD, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

Naaripreneur for Her Program Cohort 2 – IIMV FIELD is best suited for idea, product and revenue-stage agri food rural, edtech social impact and fintech startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.