Fueling Green Entrepreneurship in North-East India: 12 Circular Economy Startups Backed by Pernod Ricard India Foundation and Enabled by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park
Guwahati, Mar 02: North East India marked a significant milestone in strengthening its sustainability-led startup landscape at the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad – Startup Summit held in Guwahati. The year-long initiative, led by Pernod Ricard India Foundation and implemented by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), culminated in the recognition of 12 circular economy startups from the region.
From 36 shortlisted ventures, 12 were selected through a jury-led process. Founders received structured mentorship, capacity-building support, fellowship grants, and market access opportunities. The top 6 startups were awarded reward grants totalling Rs. 70 lakh, along with buyer-seller connects and ecosystem partnerships to accelerate commercialisation.
These 12 startups based out of the North-East Region are collectively employing 295 people, including 185 women, and are targeting a cumulative revenue of over Rs. 15 crore over the next three years, reflecting the growing economic momentum emerging from the region’s sustainability sector.
Speaking at the summit, Ajay Jain, Chairman, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park acknowledged the role of Pernod Ricard India Foundation in enabling the initiative and underscored the region’s long term economic potential.
Mr. Jain further added,
“North-East India is no longer a peripheral growth story. It represents a strategic frontier in India’s sustainability-led economic transformation. The region’s biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems offer a competitive advantage in building circular economy enterprises. Circularity today is not a moral choice; it is an economic imperative. These entrepreneurs are building businesses that combine environmental responsibility with market viability, and that is the foundation of a resilient India.”
The summit reinforced how the partnership between Pernod Ricard India Foundation and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park serves as a model for how corporate foundations and incubation institutions can strengthen regional entrepreneurship ecosystems.
Mr. Gagandeep Singh Sethi, SVP – Integrated Operations & S&R, Pernod Ricard India , said about the initiative that it represents Pernod’s commitment to building long term institutional partnerships that enable sustainable enterprise development.
Mr. Sethi quoted,
“The North-East holds immense untapped potential. Through our partnership with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park under the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad, we have seen how structured mentorship, capacity building and ecosystem support can transform early-stage ideas into scalable enterprises. Sustainability and growth are complementary forces. We are proud of this milestone and are committed to continuing the journey with a new cohort of entrepreneurs.”
The initiative reflects a growing alignment between corporate social responsibility efforts and structured incubation frameworks aimed at delivering measurable economic impact.
Adding to which Dr. VK Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, said,
“Rooted in biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and community strength, the North East is uniquely positioned for sustainability-led entrepreneurship & poised for an exponential STEM~driven growth. The Prakriti cohort demonstrates how context-driven incubation and ecosystem partnerships can unlock this promise and create enterprises that are both impactful and scalable.”
A key highlight of the summit was a panel discussion on funding challenges and emerging opportunities for green startups in North East India. Speakers noted that while indigenous products and sustainability-driven solutions from the region have strong premium potential, stronger market linkages, marketing capability and investor readiness will be critical to unlocking scale.
The summit concluded with a strong consensus that the North East is favourably positioned – as a living laboratory where ecological consciousness meets entrepreneurial innovation, offering a growth model that aligns enterprise with India’s evolving green economy.