Kolkata, Jan19: In a move aimed at converting startup potential into measurable outcomes, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) today announced a strategic partnership with Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH), Visakhapatnam, to create a structured co-incubation pathway for market-ready and revenue-generating startups from Andhra Pradesh.
This partnership is focused on execution and measurable outcomes. The collaboration will jointly identify high-potential startups, offer structured co-incubation and hands-on scale support, and enable access to capital of up to ₹2 crore, helping founders move confidently from early traction to scalable growth.
The MoU was signed between Ravi Eswarapu, CEO, RTIH, Visakhapatnam and Dr VK Rai, CEO, IIMCIP, reinforcing a shared commitment to building fundable, scalable, and nationally visible and globally competitive startups emerging from the region.
Focus Areas of the Partnership
Under the agreement, Ratan Tata Innovation Hub and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park will collaborate across three key areas:
- Structured co-incubation with clear milestones and outcome tracking
- Capital access of up to ₹2 crore for selected startups
- Hands-on execution support across product, market access, governance, and scale readiness
The partnership will leverage IIMCIP’s national incubation experience, institutional networks, combined with Ratan Tata Innovation Hub’s strong regional presence and startup pipeline, to create a strong bridge between regional innovation, national capital and markets.
Speaking on the collaboration, Ravi Eswarapu (CEO, RTIH, Visakhapatnam) said, “This partnership is all about creating real impact. By combining RTIH’s innovation ecosystem with IIMCIP’s proven incubation expertise, together, we aim to empower startups from Andhra Pradesh to scale nationally and globally.”
Dr VK Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, added, “There is a strong entrepreneurial energy in Andhra Pradesh. Our role is to help convert that energy into fundable, scalable businesses with structured support and by connecting founders to the right networks, mentors, and markets. IIMCIP’s partnership with RTIH is about turning regional entrepreneurial potential into scalable, fundable enterprises with national impact.”
This collaboration aligns with IIMCIP’s broader mission of strengthening entrepreneurship in emerging and under-represented regions. And, by focusing on execution, capital enablement, and visibility, the partnership aims to create a repeatable model for converting regional innovation into scalable enterprises.
Shortlisted startups from the first pitching edition under this co-incubation programme will be announced shortly. The selected cohort will enter a structured incubation and scale-up journey supported by mentorship, network & market access, and capital enablement