IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), 7th Gen Ventures and Alsisar Impact come together to support Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) innovating solutions in the circular economy and waste management sector with deep business handholding, premium networks and funding access. ReGen Innovation Accelerator is supported by Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) and IKEA Foundation under the Investment Innovation Fund designed to improve access to finance for waste and circularity enterprises in India and Kenya.

The global waste management market is projected to experience substantial growth over the coming years, estimated to touch USD 4.38 billion by 2032. Despite the opportunity, the sector is thwarted by challenges like increasing levels of mismanaged waste, insufficient infrastructure, limited recycling capabilities, complex waste composition, regulatory gaps and hazardous working conditions of informal labour which the sector relies heavily on, among others. While these challenges pose pportunities for Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) to devise sustainable solutions through innovations, they struggle to attract capital and investment compared to their peers in the technology sector. The ReGen Innovation Accelerator has been meticulously designed to address this issue, with the ultimate goal of scaling up Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) and enabling them to secure external funding.

The ReGen Innovation Accelerator is a 15-month high-impact programme that will bring together driven entrepreneurs dedicated to transforming waste management and advancing circularity through innovative solutions. The program aims to develop the capabilities of 20 SGBs, catalyse at least 10 to become self-sustaining and facilitate external funding for 5 of them.

SGBs with strong, scalable business models will be identified through a rigorous screening process and handheld extensively to accelerate their growth while evaluating their market and investment readiness at various stages. Reinforcing the mission to close funding gaps and foster sustainable growth in the waste management and circular economy sector, the programme will offer exclusive assistance to the SGBs in securing funding.

Applications close on December 31, 2024. All entrepreneurs who meet the selection criteria for the cohort are encouraged to Apply ASAP.

About the Partners

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, a Section 8 company established in 2014 under the aegis of IIM Calcutta, is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. Recognised as a Technology Business Incubator by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, it also serves as the G1 Centre for the TIDE.20 program by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY). Its mission focusses on three core areas, which are: Nurturing Innovations & Startups, Empowering the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Supporting Women Entrepreneurship.

Beyond its flagship incubation programme for startups, IIMCIP is committed to fostering a robust and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem across the nation. Collaborating closely with various State Governments, Corporates, Industry bodies and Academic institutions, it strives to drive innovation and entrepreneurship towards building a sustainable and thriving economy.

IIMCIP, through its various programmes, has supported over 1000 startups and entrepreneurs spread across 23 states in India and has funded 108 incubated startups with Rs. 27 crore seed funding. It has also supported 450 women-led rural enterprises from Assam, Bihar and West Bengal under a unique rural incubation programme.

7th Gen Ventures

7th Gen accelerates startups in the field of climate technology supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, to achieve a sustainable future for all.

It serves as a partner in fostering innovation and driving sustainability across key domains such as Climate Action and Environment, Society and Governance (ESG). For startups, the organisation offers strategic support in refining business models, scaling operations and achieving market readiness, particularly in areas aligned with sustainability and environmental impact. With academia, 7th Gen collaborates to give shape to their incubation efforts and help talents within the academic institutions convert innovations into sustainable business ventures. For corporates, the team aids in strengthening ESG frameworks by integrating sustainable practices and nurturing internal innovation through in-house incubation programs and “intrapreneurship. Through these integrated efforts, 7th Gen Ventures drives a holistic approach to fostering growth, sustainability and societal impact across sectors.

Learn more about 7 th Gen Ventures: https://7thgen.earth/

ALSiSAR Impact Social Ventures Foundation

ALSiSAR Impact Social Ventures Foundation leads the way in creating scalable, transformative and investable social enterprises in South Asia's underserved regions and communities. With a focus on fostering economic resilience and social inclusion, their initiatives are rooted in place-based ecosystem development and a founder-first philosophy. The organisation is committed to reshaping India's social impact landscape by integrating Impact Investing, Incubation/Acceleration and Advocacy./

Learn more about ALSiSAR Impact: https://alsisarimpact.com/

ANDE

The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) is a global network of organisations that propel entrepreneurship in developing economies. ANDE members provide critical financial, educational and business support services to small and growing businesses (SGBs) based on the conviction that SGBs will create jobs, stimulate long-term economic growth, and produce environmental and social benefits. As the leading global voice of the small and growing business (SGB) sector, ANDE believes that SGBs are a powerful, yet underleveraged, tool in addressing social and environmental challenges. Since 2009, it has grown into a trusted network of nearly 300 collaborative members that operate in over 150 countries and support nearly 200,000 SGBs each year. ANDE grows the body of knowledge, mobilises resources and connects the institutions that propel the small business entrepreneurs who build inclusive prosperity in the developing world.

Learn more about ANDE: https://andeglobal.org/