What Assam Startup does

Assam Startup is a state government initiative operated by the Department of Innovation Incubation and Start-ups, Government of Assam, designed to build a startup ecosystem in the northeastern Indian state of Assam. The initiative provides end-to-end incubation and support services — including startup recognition through the My Assam Startup ID (MASI) program, monetary grants (Rs. 5 lakh seed fund and up to Rs. 50 lakh scaling grants), mentorship via a 50+ mentor network, co-working space, and connections to 30+ investors. It operates through a Hub & Spoke model with The Nest in Guwahati as the central incubation hub and spoke centers at 10 academic institutions, having run six cohorts and recognized 384 startups while incubating 489 ventures across healthcare, agritech, fintech, AI/3D, sustainable products, and travel verticals.

The underlying platform consists of an online recognition portal (startup.assam.gov.in), facility booking systems, and structured cohort-based programs, with implementation supported by Knowledge Partners including IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (2018-2023) and EY (from November 2023). The initiative has facilitated Rs. 74 Crore in cumulative funding to incubatees and created 5,000 jobs, while securing consecutive DPIIT "Leader in Category A" rankings in the States' Startup Ranking for 2021 and 2022. Notable portfolio outcomes include Zerund Manufacturing's Rs. 7.8 Crore raise and patents pending across agritech IoT, AI-powered microscopes, and 2D-to-3D conversion technology.

The business model is government-funded and non-commercial: services are provided free of charge to entrepreneurs and startups, with revenue generation not being the mandate. Go-to-market relies on grassroots outreach (450+ awareness events, 36 hackathons, 18,000+ youth reached), academic partnerships (45 MoUs with universities), and ecosystem events such as the annual Assam Startup Fest. Customer segments are primarily aspiring entrepreneurs and registered startups in Assam, with secondary stakeholder groups including mentors, investors, and academic institutions. IIM Calcutta Innovation Park served as implementing Knowledge Partner from September 2018, succeeded by EY in 2023, with NSRCEL IIM Bangalore added as a collaboration partner in December 2023.

Name

Assam Startup

Legal name

Department of Innovation Incubation and Start-ups, Government of Assam

Website

https://startup.assam.gov.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Assam Startup is a Government of Assam initiative that provides free startup incubation, recognition (MASI ID), grants, mentorship, and co-working space through The Nest hub and spoke model, serving aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups across Assam.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Government startup grants
• Entrepreneurship development
• Mentorship programs
• Seed funding schemes

Headquarters

HQ city

Guwahati

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Startup Support Services: Government-funded initiative providing incubation, mentorship, and support services to startups. Revenue is not the primary objective; the initiative facilitates funding for startups through grants (MASI grants of Rs. 5 lakh seed fund and up to Rs. 50 lakh scaling grants) and connects startups with investors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Assam Startup is a Government of Assam initiative that operates The Nest incubation hub in Guwahati and a Hub & Spoke network across academic institutions to provide free startup recognition (My Assam Startup ID/MASI), physical and virtual incubation services, mentorship, networking, and grant-based funding access (seed grants up to Rs. 5 lakh and scaling grants up to Rs. 50 lakh) to early-stage startups and aspiring entrepreneurs in Assam.

Product overview

Assam Startup is a government of Assam initiative functioning as a startup incubation and ecosystem development platform rather than a single product company. The core platform provides startup recognition (My Assam Startup ID/MASI), physical and virtual incubation services through 'The Nest' hub with a Hub & Spoke model connecting to universities across Assam, funding access through MASI grants and investor networks, and mentorship programs. The initiative operates through structured COHORT-based incubation batches (1.0 through 6) supporting startups with mentorship, facility booking, state-level approvals, and public procurement access. Key platform offerings include the MASI recognition system with seed funding up to Rs. 5 lakh and scaling grants up to Rs. 50 lakh, the Campus Ambassadors program for university outreach, the annual Assam Startup Fest for ecosystem engagement, and a network of 50+ mentors and 30+ investors. The incubated startups themselves offer diverse technology products including AI/ML-powered solutions (My3DMeta 3D platform, MICROCAM smart microscope), IoT systems (Agrithink climate monitoring), fintech services (HookoluPay prepaid cards, Quickobook health platform), and agritech platforms (Farm Infinity credit scoring, Zerund eco-bricks).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My Assam Startup ID (MASI): Startup recognition program that provides unique identification and access to government incentives and benefits for startups in Assam.
• The Nest

Products and services

• My Assam Startup ID (MASI) Recognition A startup recognition program that provides eligible Assam-based startups with a unique identification number (MASI) and unlocks access to various state government benefits, monetary incentives, facility booking, and support schemes. Targeted at early-stage startups registered in Assam.
• The Nest - Incubation Hub State-of-the-art incubation centre in Guwahati providing physical and virtual incubation services, co-working space, mentoring, and facility booking for early-stage startups in Assam. Inaugurated on January 20, 2019 as the central hub of the Hub & Spoke model.
• Hub & Spoke Incubation Model Distributed incubation network with The Nest as the central hub and 10 spoke incubators established at universities and colleges across Assam to provide district-level entrepreneurship support closer to entrepreneurs.
• COHORT Incubation Program Structured batch-based incubation program (COHORT 1.0 through COHORT 6) providing startup support through mentorship, funding connections, networking, and capacity-building workshops for selected early-stage startups.
• MASI Grant Seed funding grant of Rs. 5 lakh provided by Government of Assam to startups issued a MASI ID, with scaling grants of up to Rs. 50 lakh available for growth-stage startups.
• Startup Recognition Portal Online portal at startup.assam.gov.in for startups to apply for MASI recognition, track application status, and access state-level approvals and incentive schemes.
• Startup Incentive Schemes Various monetary and non-monetary incentives including subsidies, tax exemptions, and priority access to government procurement for recognized Assam startups.
• Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Portal Single-window state-level approvals and regulatory clearances portal (eodbmis.assam.gov.in) for startups and businesses in Assam.
• Public Procurement Support Initiative facilitating startup participation in government procurement by providing priority access and support for supplying goods and services to Assam government departments.
• Startup Mentorship Network Network of 50+ national and global mentors providing guidance to incubated startups on business strategy, technology, finance, and growth, including specialized mentors across multiple sectors.
• Startup Fest (Annual Event) Annual flagship event bringing together startup founders, investors, mentors, and ecosystem players for exhibitions, pitching sessions, awards, and knowledge sharing.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NSRCEL IIM BangalorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2023MoU signed between Assam Startup and NSRCEL IIM Bangalore for collaboration in startup incubation and mentorship.
• EYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2023Onboarded as Knowledge Partner for Assam Startup, providing expertise in startup development and ecosystem building.
• IIM Calcutta Innovation ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Knowledge Partner and implementing agency for Assam Startup initiative since September 2018. Provides incubation expertise, mentorship, and startup development support. Led by Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal (CEO) and Pranjal Konwar (COO).
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)majorTechnology or IntegrationCloud infrastructure partner providing technology support and startup credits.
• IBMmajorTechnology or IntegrationCorporate technology partner providing infrastructure and support.
• MicrosoftmajorTechnology or IntegrationConducted Masterclass on Generative AI for Startups at Assam Startup Fest 2023.
• NASSCOMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partner for startup ecosystem development.
• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry chamber partnership for ecosystem development.
• Indian Chamber of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber partnership for business networking and support.
• TiE GuwahatimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneurship organization chapter providing mentorship and networking.
• IIT GuwahaticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research collaboration, student engagement, and startup pipeline.
• Assam Agricultural UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for agri-tech startup development.
• Guwahati Biotech ParkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and incubation partner for biotech startups.
• GIZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization partnership for ecosystem support.
• 93.5 RED FMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborated for Sunrise Boss Lady program celebrating women entrepreneurship on March 4, 2023.
• Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Oddessemania for building travel guide onboarding platform and providing certified guides.
• ITC Sunrise PureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with The Nest to introduce Agragamini initiative through Gupshup 94.3 FM on December 14, 2023.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs): Global nonprofit fostering entrepreneurship through mentor networks, chapters (including TiE Guwahati, an Assam Startup partner), and investor connections. Comparable as a mentor/networking-driven ecosystem builder supporting early-stage founders, though operating globally rather than government-anchored.

Direct peers

• T-Hub (Telangana): Government of Telangana-backed innovation hub and startup incubator in Hyderabad, one of India's largest state-run incubators. Comparable as a state-ecosystem builder with mentor/investor networks, cohort programs, and national-level DPIIT recognition.
• Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM): State-government-backed startup ecosystem development initiative in Kerala with hub-and-spoke incubation, grants, mentor networks, and DPIIT-recognized leadership. Directly comparable as a state-level government incubator pursuing the same model of recognition, grants, and cohort-based incubation.
• Startup Odisha: Odisha government's flagship startup initiative offering funding, mentorship, incubation, and DPIIT-recognized programs. Closely comparable structure: state-led recognition (similar to MASI), seed/scaling grants, hub-and-spoke incubator support, and academic partnerships.
• Karnataka Digital Economy Mission / Startup Karnataka: Government of Karnataka's startup policy and ecosystem initiative providing recognition, funding support, and incubation. Directly comparable as a state government-led startup ecosystem developer with similar recognition ID, grant, and incubation programs.
• Maharashtra State Innovation Society / Startup Maharashtra: State-level government innovation and startup initiative under Government of Maharashtra, providing funding, incubation, and DPIIT-aligned recognition. Comparable model of state-backed startup ecosystem development with grant and incubation support.

Emerging players

• CIIE.CO at IIM Ahmedabad: Leading university-based startup incubation and acceleration center at IIM Ahmedabad providing cohort-based programs, seed funding, and deep investor networks. Comparable to Assam Startup in incubation structure but operates with stronger private capital and broader geographic reach.
• NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore: India's leading university-based startup incubation and innovation center at IIM Bangalore, which recently signed an MoU with Assam Startup as a knowledge partner. Comparable as an incubator with cohort-based programs, mentorship, and deep investor network, but operates from a stronger private/academic base.
• Villgro: India's oldest impact-focused startup incubator and investor, present in Assam Startup's investor network (e.g., backed Zerund Manufacturing). Comparable as a mission-driven incubator/funder supporting early-stage ventures, though operating nationally rather than state-bound.
• IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP): Knowledge and implementing partner of Assam Startup since 2018 and operator of its own incubation programs. Directly comparable as a university-affiliated incubator providing cohort-based incubation, mentorship, and seed funding - effectively a peer and partner at the same time.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/startup_assam
• Facebookfacebook.com/AssamStartup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Assam Startup