Bengaluru, 29 July 2025: The UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), in collaboration with NSRCEL at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), one of India’s most prestigious academic incubators, convened an interactive session as part of the UAE-India CEPA Start-up Series, a strategic initiative designed to nurture globally scalable Indian start-ups.
Held in Bengaluru, a global hub for technology and entrepreneurship, the event marked another significant step in advancing the Start-up Series across India. With its strong start-up infrastructure, dense network of venture capital firms, and deep talent pool in technology and management, Bengaluru continues to serve as the nucleus of India’s global-facing entrepreneurial ambitions.
The centrepiece of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NSRCEL and the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), formalising their partnership to identify and support high-potential Indian ventures from the IIM Bangalore ecosystem seeking to participate in the UAE-India Start-up Series.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Ahmed Aljneibi, Director of the UICC, outlined the vision and structure of the CEPA Start-up Series, emphasising its focus on international scaling and strategic mentorship. “NSRCEL is a proven engine of entrepreneurial excellence, and we are proud to welcome it into the CEPA Start-up Series network. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to unlocking global opportunities for India’s brightest founders, starting right here at IIM Bangalore,” he said.
Mr. Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO, NSRCEL, added: “We are delighted to partner with the UAE-India CEPA Council on this important initiative. At NSRCEL, we are committed to helping founders build scalable, impact-driven ventures. Through this collaboration, our entrepreneurs will gain a valuable bridge to the UAE market – an ecosystem that offers exciting opportunities for cross-border innovation and growth.”
As part of the event, attendees viewed the official trailer for the UAE-India Start-up Series, which showcased the programme’s offerings and the roadmap for selected start-ups to engage with the UAE innovation ecosystem. This was followed by an interactive Q&A session, where Mr. Aljneibi responded to queries from students and entrepreneurs, addressing a wide range of topics from venture readiness and sector focus to post-selection support in the UAE. This interaction provided invaluable clarity for founders considering cross-border expansion.
The Bengaluru leg of the CEPA Start-up Series Roadshow reflects the UICC’s continued effort to forge tangible linkages with India’s leading academic incubators, ensuring that the benefits of CEPA reach the country’s most promising entrepreneurial talent.
Applications for the CEPA Start-Up Series are open until 31 July 2025.