IIMA Ventures, in collaboration with SAP, has launched the North East Growth Lab (NEGL). The initiative, modeled on the World Bank-supported Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab (AAGL), aims to support 90 startups and social enterprises across all eight northeastern states over a span of three years.
NEGL will provide catalytic capital in the form of grants and optionally convertible debt, along with tailored mentorship, skill development, and market access. The program is projected to generate ₹100 crore in enterprise value and positively impact over 500,000 individuals, particularly from low-to-middle-income backgrounds. Notable early beneficiaries include Dream Hives (mead from local honey), Greengen (biofertilizer for tea estates), Fuloni (plantable biodegradable pots), and Pustikor Foods (Joha rice cookies).
The launch of NEGL is expected to fuel local industrial growth by empowering micro and small enterprises with structured resources. NEGL is backed by institutions including NABARD, NEDFI, NEHHDC, NERAMAC, and the Ministry of DoNER, ensuring long-term ecosystem development across the region.
