Visakhapatnam, Jan 19 (.) In a move aimed at converting startup potential into measurable outcomes, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park(IIMCIP) here on Monday announced a strategic partnership with RatanTata Innovation Hub (RTIH), Visakhapatnam, to create a structured co-incubation pathway for market-ready and revenue-generating startups from Andhra Pradesh.
This partnership is focused on execution and measurable outcomes. The collaboration will jointly identify high-potential startups,offer structured co-incubation and hands-on scale support, and enable access to capital of up to Rs 2 crore, helping founders move confidently from early traction to scalable growth. The MoU was signed between Ravi Eswarapu, CEO, RTIH,Visakhapatnam and Dr VK Rai, CEO, IIMCIP, reinforcing a shared commitment to building fundable, scalable, and nationally visible and globally competitive startups emerging from the region.
Speaking on the collaboration, Ravi Eswarapu said, “This partnership is all about creating real impact. By combining RTIH’s innovation ecosystem with IIMCIP’s proven incubation expertise, together, we aim to empower startups from Andhra Pradesh to scale nationally and globally.”
Dr VK Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, added, “There is a strong entrepreneurial energy in Andhra Pradesh. Our role is to help convert that energy into fundable, scalable businesses with structured support and by connecting founders to the right networks, mentors, and markets. IIMCIP’s partnership with RTIH is about turning regional entrepreneurial potential into scalable, fundable enterprises with national impact.”
This collaboration aligns with IIMCIP’s broader mission ofstrengthening entrepreneurship in emerging and under-represented regions. Its core offerings span structured mentoring, capacity building, seed funding and access to markets and investors. To date, IIMCIP has mentored over 2,000 startups and seed-funded 124 ventures, which have collectively raised more than Rs 2,000 crore and built a cumulative portfolio valuation of nearly Rs 8,000 crore. IIMCIP also works closely with government bodies, corporates and academia to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem, foster high-impact collaborations and promote women’s entrepreneurship, with a special focus on underserved regions of the country.
Ratan Tata Innovation Hub is Andhra Pradesh’s flagship initiative that operates under a hub-and-spoke governance model, which has proven to be highly effective in large-scale innovation ecosystems globally. RTIH Visakhapatnam is a spoke under the RTIH Ecosystem ,currently anchored by GMR Group and AMNS (ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel).. DP CDS