NEWS
Kotak BizLabs Launches Season 2 to Support 75+ Startups — ₹9 Cr Grants & Mentorship Backed by Top Incubators
Kotak BizLabs Season 2: Backing India’s Boldest Startups
Mumbai, October 2025 — Kotak Mahindra Bank has officially launched Season 2 of its flagship CSR accelerator programme, Kotak BizLabs, to support over 75 early-revenue startups across India. The programme will run from October 2025 to November 2026, extending its reach across North, South, West, and Central India. This season places a strong emphasis on sectors like deep tech, sustainability, clean energy, fintech, edtech, agritech, and healthtech.What Kotak BizLabs Offers — More Than Just Money
Grant support: ₹9 crore worth of grants will be distributed among selected startups — especially those from smaller cities.
Mentorship & guidance from top incubators like IIMA Ventures, NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore), T-Hub, and new partner FITT IIT Delhi.
Market access, bootcamps, workshops, and exposure to investor networks.
Support for founders in Tier-II & Tier-III cities, helping them scale without being stuck in metro bubbles.
Kotak describes it as “walking the talk” — turning capital, mentorship, and belief into real backing for startups with bold dreams.
Why Season 2 Matters
In Season 1, the programme awarded grants and acceleration support to 32 startups, which went on to raise follow-on funding and grow their footprint. Now, Kotak is scaling the commitment — going from tens of startups to 75+, and expanding geographical reach across India.This move signals that Kotak wants to be more than a bank supporting startups — it wants to be a builder of ecosystems.
? What Founders Should Do Next
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Check eligibility: DPIIT registration, early-revenue stage, innovative product/solution.
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Apply online through Kotak BizLabs portal before deadlines.
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Be ready for pitching, mentoring sessions, and growth plans.
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Use this as a springboard — the grants, network, and validation can open doors to further funding.
✅ Final Take
Kotak BizLabs Season 2 is more than just another accelerator — it’s a statement.
A statement that bold ideas from small towns deserve the same spotlight and support as ones from metros.
A statement that funding + mentorship + access is what will turn audacious ideas into India’s next leadership brands.
If you’re building something that can transform lives, Kotak is saying: “We believe in you. Now let’s build together.”