IIMA Ventures, in collaboration with SAP, has launched the North East Growth Lab (NEGL)—a region-wide platform to support 90 startups and social enterprises. The initiative builds on the success of the World Bank-supported Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab (AAGL) and aims to foster inclusive economic growth through capital support, training, mentoring, and market access.
Over the next three years, NEGL is projected to create ₹100 crore in enterprise value while directly benefiting over 500,000 individuals, particularly from low-to-middle-income groups. Supported ventures include Dream Hives (honey-based mead), Greengen (tea-focused biofertilizer), Chezfresco (B2B ready-to-eat food), and Pustikor Foods (GI-tagged Joha rice cookies).
The initiative is expected to unlock new opportunities for emerging local enterprises and agri-based startups. With increasing investor attention toward Manipur’s unique products and cultural assets, NEGL is likely to serve as a growth catalyst, positioning a regional startup node.
Strategic collaborations with NABARD, NEDFI, NEHHDC, NERAMAC, and the Ministry of DoNER will further anchor NEGL’s impact across the region through ecosystem-building activities and metro-city investor engagements.
