Bengaluru, Karnataka, 6th of April, 2026 : Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“KMBL” / “Kotak”) today announced the selection of 71 startups for Season 2 of Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme, with 60 startups set to receive structured grants of up to ₹30 lakh each under the programme.
The new cohort also reflects a decisive shift in India’s startup geography. Fifty three percent of the selected startups are from non-metro locations, signalling growing entrepreneurial momentum beyond traditional hubs. The final cohort spans startups from 13 states across 12 sectors, including AI, deep tech, agritech, sustainability, clean energy, edtech and healthcare.
Season 2 of Kotak BizLabs attracted 3,088 applications, an 80% increase over the first season, with more than 80% of applications coming from outside the four metros. The six-to-nine-month programme will culminate in a Demo Day connecting founders with investors and corporate partners.
The first season of Kotak BizLabs, which concluded recently, delivered encouraging outcomes. Several startups from the Season 1 cohort have stabilised revenue models with growing client bases, while a few have gone on to secure funding and achieve meaningful revenue growth.
“We have redesigned Season 2 of Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme to support founders as they scale,” said Himanshu Nivsarkar, Head of CSR & ESG, Kotak Mahindra Bank. “Along with enhanced funding support, the programme now brings a wider network of incubation partners and a stronger community framework. Our focus is on helping startups build models that can sustain and grow.”
Rohit Bhasin, President and Chief Marketing Officer, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said: “The quality and diversity of applications this season tells us that India’s entrepreneurial ambition is geographically broad and commercially serious. Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme Season 2 is about building a platform that meets founders where they are and helps them scale from there.”
Season 2 of Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme is anchored by institutional incubators including IIM A Ventures, NSRCEL, T-Hub and FITT–IIT Delhi, with FITT–IIT Delhi joining this season to extend the programme’s reach in North India. The programme also pilots the Kotak BizLabs Community Platform, designed to connect startups from both seasons to curated resources, mentors and peer networks beyond the formal acceleration window.
Kotak BizLabs Accelerator Programme is a CSR initiative of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited.
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