Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of Bengaluru, the serene campus of IIM Bangalore offers a tranquil retreat. Within this peaceful environment lies NSRCEL, the  institute’s dedicated startup incubation and entrepreneurship centre, which has been  nurturing founders at various stages of their entrepreneurial journeys for over 25 years. 

NSRCEL has always thrived at the intersection of contemplation and action. While  firmly anchored in academic principles, it has consistently engaged with the dynamic  landscape of entrepreneurship. Recently, as it celebrated a quarter-century of  incubation, the centre began to ponder a significant question: can the nuances of  incubation be systematised and imparted to others? 

From Mentorship to a Structured Approach 

On a sunny November day, the halls of NSRCEL buzzed with founders, mentors, and  alumni, all gathered to commemorate this milestone and discuss the evolution of  entrepreneurship. Amidst the blend of nostalgia and ambition, one theme resonated  strongly—NSRCEL’s profound sense of community. 

Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO of NSRCEL, shares that the centre’s growth has been  intentional. What started as a mentor-led initiative has now evolved into a dual mission:  enhancing its own incubation programmes while disseminating its insights to the  broader ecosystem. 

At the core of NSRCEL’s mission is a commitment to hands-on, empathetic support.  From fine-tuning pitch decks and connecting founders with potential partners, to  professors offering guidance during critical junctures, the centre prioritises practical,  everyday problem-solving. Its programmes encompass pre-incubation, incubation, and  early growth phases, with a particular emphasis on ventures aiming for initial revenue.

Embracing Deep Tech and Co-Incubation 

As innovation increasingly leans towards technology, NSRCEL is reimagining the  incubation process. Ganesh highlights the rising necessity for co-incubation with  research laboratories and corporate innovation teams, especially in deep tech sectors. 

A recent memorandum of understanding with IIT Kanpur exemplifies this shift,  facilitating joint incubation in areas such as AI-driven manufacturing, robotics, and  drone technologies. To streamline and enhance the incubation process, NSRCEL has  also introduced a structured framework known as ECNA—Entrepreneurial Capability  building through Knowledge Networks and Assessments. 

Drawing from insights accumulated over 25 years, ECNA encapsulates best practices,  standard procedures, and common challenges. NSRCEL is now collaborating with  emerging incubators to help them accelerate their learning curve from decades to just  18–24 months. 

Founder Narratives from the Ground 

For founders, the true impact of NSRCEL is best illustrated through their personal  experiences. Jeetendra Lalwani, Co-founder of Dial4242, recounts how his startup  emerged from a personal tragedy involving unreliable ambulance services. NSRCEL  provided him with invaluable mentoring, investor connections, and the credibility  needed to engage with major partners like Toyota and Maruti. 

Similarly, Nikita Doshi, Co-founder of Biome Healthcare, attributes her company’s  success to the incubator, which helped minimise costly trial and error. Operating in the  highly regulated medical devices sector, her venture benefited from expert mentoring, factory visits, and early grant support that laid the groundwork for sustainable growth. 

Navigating Capital, Pilots, and Policy 

Ganesh observes that the current funding landscape necessitates stronger governance,  clearer unit economics, and improved financial practices. While policy-driven capital  has flowed into sectors like defence and deep tech, it has also created gaps in areas such as edtech. 

For many startups, particularly in hardware and healthcare, grants, CSR funding, and  patient capital are vital. NSRCEL is increasingly assisting founders in navigating this  complex and expansive capital landscape. 

Defining Success Beyond Exits 

For NSRCEL, success transcends high-profile exits. It centres on cultivating sustainable  ventures, generating employment beyond metropolitan areas, and imparting institutional knowledge to newer incubators. 

As NSRCEL looks to the future, its vision is clear: to maintain the personalised  mentorship that founders cherish while scaling its 25 years of experience for the benefit  of India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. Its true legacy may not only be found in the startups it has nurtured but also in the multitude of founders and incubators  empowered by its expertise.