Kotak Mahindra Bank Bets Big on India’s Startup Ecosystem with Season 2 of Kotak BizLabs Accelerator
- ByStartupStory | October 13, 2025
Mumbai / New Delhi, October 2025 – In a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to nurturing India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMBL) has announced Season 2 of its flagship Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme – a CSR-driven initiative designed to empower early-stage startups with mentorship, catalytic funding, and access to market networks.
The programme, which first launched in 2023, has already made its mark in building a structured support system for promising founders. With Season 2, KMBL aims to take its vision to a larger national scale, deepening its impact across multiple high-potential sectors and regions.
Scaling Up: What’s New in Season 2
Running from October 2025 to November 2026, the second edition of Kotak BizLabs Accelerator plans to support over 75 startups across diverse sectors – including deep tech, sustainability, fintech, agritech, edtech, healthtech, and digital technology.
The new season introduces several upgrades over its predecessor:
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Expanded Incubation Network: IIT Delhi’s Foundation for Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) joins the consortium alongside IIMA Ventures, NSRCEL–IIM Bangalore, and T-Hub, ensuring comprehensive coverage across North, South, West, and Central India.
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Wider Outreach: The programme aims to engage more than 800 startups through roadshows, workshops, and networking events spanning 20+ cities.
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Deeper Funding Ambition: Over 60 ventures are expected to receive catalytic grants and seed support during the new cycle.
“Kotak BizLabs is more than a support programme – it’s a mission to catalyze innovation beyond metros,” said Himanshu Nivsarkar, Head of CSR & ESG at Kotak Mahindra Bank. “With Season 2, we are scaling our commitment to founders who dare to dream big and build bold.”
Building on Early Success
The foundation for Season 2 is rooted in the success of Season 1, which accelerated 55 startups through structured mentorship and provided funding or grants to 32 ventures with an initial CSR outlay of ₹5 crore. These startups collectively raised ₹12+ crore in follow-on funding.
The first season focused on emerging themes like agritech, climate tech, fintech, and indigenous crafts, setting the stage for a more expansive impact in the coming years.
Why This Matters
Bridging the Gap for Tier-II and Tier-III Founders
One of the unique aspects of Kotak BizLabs is its emphasis on reaching founders in smaller cities – regions often overlooked by traditional VC and accelerator networks. The initiative aims to democratize access to mentorship, funding, and growth infrastructure, empowering entrepreneurs closer to their communities.
Structured and Accountable Support
Each incubation partner brings domain expertise and local insights. Founders gain access to bootcamps, angel networks, product validation frameworks, and mentoring from industry veterans, ensuring tangible progress during and after the programme.
Catalytic Funding as an Enabler
Kotak’s approach treats funding as a launchpad, not a lifeline — helping startups cross early operational hurdles before they attract follow-on capital. The follow-up investments seen from Season 1 validate this philosophy.
Alignment with India’s Startup Vision
As India cements its position among the world’s leading startup ecosystems, programmes like Kotak BizLabs strengthen grassroots innovation, foster inclusive growth, and extend the national startup mission to emerging cities.
Voices from the Ecosystem
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Anand Sri Ganesh (CEO, NSRCEL) praised the initiative for “catalyzing transformative innovation in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.”
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Chintan Bakshi (Partner, IIMA Ventures) highlighted its role in creating structured pathways for early-stage founders to connect with angel networks.
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Kavikrut (CEO, T-Hub) noted how participating founders “refined strategies and validated product–market fit through the programme’s ecosystem.”
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Dr. Nikhil Agarwal (MD, FITT, IIT Delhi) added that the collaboration is about “nurturing bold, innovation-driven startups with global ambition and deep social impact.”
Application and Timeline
Applications for Season 2 are open to DPIIT-registered startups through the Kotak BizLabs portal.
Selected founders can expect year-round engagement via bootcamps, workshops, roadshows, pitch sessions, and networking events conducted by partner incubators.
Challenges Ahead & What to Watch
While Kotak BizLabs has demonstrated early success, the next phase will test its ability to scale effectively:
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Maintaining quality at scale: Ensuring meaningful mentorship for every participating startup as numbers grow.
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Reaching remote regions: Expanding beyond urban centers into truly underserved ecosystems.
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Post-programme continuity: Sustained access to funding, markets, and partners after acceleration.
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Measuring real impact: Evaluating success through job creation, sustainable growth, and social impact – not just capital raised.
Final Word
Kotak BizLabs Season 2 marks a strategic and social investment in the future of Indian innovation. By broadening its incubator partnerships, expanding its funding scope, and pushing deeper into Tier-II and Tier-III regions, Kotak Mahindra Bank is positioning itself as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurship.
For emerging founders looking to bridge ambition with actionable support, Season 2 of Kotak BizLabs could be the launchpad that turns early ideas into scalable ventures – reaffirming India’s place as a global hub for innovation.
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