Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) have launched the “DICV-IIMCIP Social Impact Incubation Programme” to support entrepreneurship and nation-building in India. The program, backed by DICV’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund, aims to fast-track 10 high-potential social enterprises that are developing technology-driven, scalable, and sustainable solutions for India’s socio-economic development. The program aligns with the government’s Viksit Bharat vision and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The program offers a structured incubation journey with significant financial support, including a ₹1 lakh Fellowship Grant to each of the 10 selected enterprises. The top five most promising enterprises will receive an additional Implementation Grant of up to ₹20 lakh, as well as intensive mentoring and network access. The program will focus on sectors critical to India’s growth, including sustainability, green mobility, community development, and women empowerment.
The collaboration between DICV and IIMCIP reflects a shared commitment to fostering innovation-led social transformation. The program’s goal is to create a pipeline of socially responsible entrepreneurs who can address core challenges such as employability, sustainability, and gender equity. The selected enterprises will undergo an 8-month incubation journey, which will include business due diligence, diagnostic sessions, and customized roadmaps for success.
The program is open to applications from across the country, and a joint jury from IIMCIP and DICV will select the final 10 enterprises. The program’s leaders believe that entrepreneurship has the power to solve some of India’s most complex development challenges, and that this initiative will help to nurture a new generation of socially responsible entrepreneurs who can drive inclusive growth and measurable impact.
Overall, the DICV-IIMCIP Social Impact Incubation Programme is a significant initiative that aims to harness the power of entrepreneurship to drive social and economic development in India. By providing financial support, mentoring, and network access to high-potential social enterprises, the program has the potential to create a lasting impact on the country’s development agenda.