Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6)
A comprehensive two-year incubation program empowering women entrepreneurs from idea to scale with grant support, mentorship, and access to India's leading startup ecosystem, powered by NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore and Kotak BizLabs.
- Funding amount
- ₹10L (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6) is a two-year entrepreneurship and incubation program tailored for women founders. It is run by NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore in collaboration with Kotak BizLabs, the innovation lab of Kotak Mahindra Bank. The program aims to address the underrepresentation of women in the startup ecosystem by providing structured support from ideation to scale. Over five successful cohorts, the program has evolved to offer three distinct pathways: the Entrepreneurship Base Program (EBP) for early ideas, the Incubation Program for startups with an MVP, and the Scale Hub for growth-stage ventures. Each pathway provides targeted resources such as grant funding, mentorship, and ecosystem access to help women entrepreneurs overcome barriers and build scalable, impactful businesses. The program is sector-agnostic and open to applicants from across India, emphasizing the commitment to fostering diverse entrepreneurial talent.
The program is built on the understanding that women entrepreneurs face unique challenges, including limited access to funding and networks. By providing a resource-rich environment and personalized support, the program seeks to unlock the full potential of women-led startups, contributing to India's economic growth and innovation landscape.
Highlights
- Equity-free grant funding up to ₹10 Lakhs
- Comprehensive 2-year incubation program at IIM Bangalore
- Exclusively designed for women-led startups
- Personalized one-on-one mentorship from industry veterans
- Extensive access to investor, customer, and partner networks
- Sector-agnostic and pan-India eligibility for broad impact
Who can apply
This program is open to women-led startups at any stage—from initial idea to growth stage. The primary requirement is that the venture must be led by women and demonstrate a strong vision for building a scalable business. Scalability implies the potential for rapid expansion, significant revenue growth, and broad market impact. There are no restrictions on industry, sector, or geographic location within India. Startups can be at the ideation phase, have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), or be in early traction or growth stages. The program specifically targets women entrepreneurs who are committed to growing their ventures and leveraging the resources provided.
Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6) is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6) accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
Selected startups receive an equity-free grant of ₹10 Lakhs, disbursed on a milestone-based system tied to achievements such as product development, customer acquisition, or revenue targets. Beyond funding, participants get:
- Intensive one-on-one mentorship from industry experts, investors, and NSRCEL alumni.
- Co-incubation opportunities with partner institutes across India.
- Business acceleration support including market research, competitive analysis, business model refinement, and technology guidance.
- Personalized venture development planning to chart growth.
- Legal and compliance advisory for IP protection, entity formation, and contracts.
- Networking access to customers, investors, researchers, and ecosystem partners.
- In-person bootcamps, workshops (e.g., pitching, digital marketing, financial modeling), product exhibitions, and demo days.
- Structured milestone tracking and continuous support within a community of women founders.
About the provider
Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6) is offered by NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The selection process involves:
- Initial screening: Basic eligibility check (women-led, stage, completeness).
- Detailed evaluation: Thorough review of the application by NSRCEL experts and external specialists, assessing innovation, market opportunity, business model viability, team strength, and scalability.
- Interview/presentation: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for virtual or in-person interviews to discuss their vision and strategy.
- Final selection: A high-level committee selects startups based on holistic assessment and allocates them to one of three pathways (EBP, Incubation, or Scale Hub) based on their stage and needs.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6), 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.
Who this is best for
Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6) is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Women Startup Program?
The Women Startup Program is a two-year incubation initiative by NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore and Kotak BizLabs. It provides women entrepreneurs with grant funding, mentorship, and ecosystem support to guide their ventures from ideation to scale.
How much funding is offered and is it equity-free?
The program offers an equity-free grant of ₹10 Lakhs. The grant is disbursed in milestones based on achieving specific project goals, such as product development or customer acquisition targets.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is open to women-led startups at any stage: idea, MVP, early traction, or growth. The venture must be women-led and show potential for scalability and impact. There are no industry or location restrictions within India.
Does the program take equity?
No, the ₹10 Lakhs funding is a grant, which means it is non-dilutive and does not require giving up equity in your startup.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning there is no fixed deadline. You can apply at any time, and submissions will be reviewed as they come in.
What documents are needed to apply?
The online application typically requires details about your startup: problem statement, solution, target market, competitive landscape, business model, revenue projections, founding team information (resumes, skills), and if applicable, evidence of MVP traction and financial projections. Existing entities may need incorporation documents.
Is DPIIT or MSME registration required?
The program does not explicitly require DPIIT or MSME registration. However, having such registrations may be beneficial but is not mandatory for eligibility.
How do I apply?
You can apply through the official application portal at the NSRCEL-Kotak BizLabs website. The link is provided on the program page. Complete the online form with all required information and submit.
Who offers Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6)?
Women Startup Program – NSRCEL x Kotak BizLabs (Cohort 6) is offered by NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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