In a decisive move to harness entrepreneurship for nation-building, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) have announced the launch of the ‘DICV–IIMCIP Social Impact Incubation Programme’, backed by DICV’s CSR fund.
This CSR-backed initiative will fast-track 10 high-potential social enterprises developing technology-driven, scalable, and sustainable solutions critical for India’s socio-economic development, directly aligning with the Viksit Bharat vision and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The programme offers a structured incubation journey with significant financial support. It will initially back ten high-potential enterprises, providing a ₹1 lakh Fellowship Grant to each. The top five most promising enterprises will then advance to a subsequent phase, unlocking Implementation Grants of up to ₹20 lakh per enterprise, alongside intensive mentoring and network access.
“Entrepreneurship has the power to solve some of India’s most complex development challenges,” said Ajay Jain, Chairman of Board, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. “Through this collaboration with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, we aim to nurture a new generation of socially responsible entrepreneurs who combine technology, innovation, and business acumen to build sustainable solutions that drive inclusive growth and measurable impact.”
Satyakam Arya, Managing Director and CEO from Daimler India Commercial Vehicles said, “At DICV, we view sustainability as central to our business—from our products to the communities we serve. Our partnership with IIMCIP represents a strategic commitment to catalysing the next generation of green, inclusive innovation that creates lasting societal impact. By backing these impact-driven enterprises, we are directly investing in India’s sustainable future and building local livelihoods.”
The DICV–IIMCIP Social Impact Incubation Programme will focus on sectors critical to India’s growth and technology adoption, including Sustainability, Green Mobility, Community Development and Women Empowerment. Applications will be invited through a nationwide online process to ensure transparency and inclusivity. Entries will undergo multiple levels of evaluation by domain experts, followed by shortlisting by a joint jury from IIMCIP and DICV. The selected enterprises will then participate in a comprehensive 8-month incubation journey, beginning with business due diligence and diagnostic sessions to design a customized roadmap for success.
The collaboration between DICV and IIMCIP reflects a shared commitment to fostering innovation-led social transformation. The programme’s goal is to create a pipeline of socially responsible entrepreneurs who can power India’s development agenda by addressing core challenges such as employability, sustainability, and gender equity.
