IIMA Ventures (formerly IIMA-CIIE), is a startup incubator established by IIM Ahmedabad announced the launch of Growth Accelerator 2.0, to support 15 SMEs and family businesses. The program is designed to drive exponential growth for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), family businesses, and growth-stage startups that is focused on strategic growth and innovation, includes a wide array of interventions such as knowledge sessions, masterclasses, workshops, founder talks, diagnostic panels, and mentoring clinics with an aim to operationalize growth opportunities in a hands-on, practical manner.

The Growth Accelerator is a unique intervention that gives founders and business leaders an environment to experiment with growth strategies using a time-tested methodology developed by IIMA Ventures. 

For established businesses, achieving rapid growth requires not only resources but also the capacity to implement strategies effectively. Experimenting with new approaches—whether in streamlining operations, integrating scalable technology, or building sustainable competitive advantages—often comes with high costs and significant risk, without a guaranteed return. This is where the Growth Accelerator steps in, providing a structured, supportive environment for business leaders to develop and test new growth strategies.

“We believe SMEs and family businesses are the backbone of India’s economy, but they often face challenges in scaling efficiently due to a lack of access to tailored growth strategies, mentorship, networks and resources. Through this accelerator, IIMA Ventures aims to equip them with the knowledge, strategies, and guidance they need to navigate complex market dynamics, unlock new growth opportunities, and scale their operations sustainably. We look forward to supporting them in achieving long-term success.” said Chintan Bakshi,  Partner, IIMA Ventures.

Participants will kick off their journey with a three-day intensive bootcamp at the IIM Ahmedabad campus, featuring hands-on workshops and scaling-focused sessions led by IIMA faculty. Additionally, successful entrepreneurs will share real-world insights on scaling businesses. Over the following two months, participants will benefit from personalized mentorship from domain experts, helping them address the specific challenges of growing their businesses.

The Growth Accelerator is open to business leaders across all sectors, including second and third-generation entrepreneurs looking to scale their operations. 

The first batch of the accelerator supported 10 businesses, including Pima Controls Pvt Ltd, Bonton Technomake Pvt Ltd, RBD Engineers Pvt. Ltd, Sujay Powertrans India Private Limited, Bebe Foods, and Sickle Innovations Pvt Ltd. The founders came from various industries like engineering, auto parts, FMCG, furniture manufacturing, agricultural equipment, and skills training. They were based in cities such as Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Indore, and Jamshedpur, with most coming from smaller, non-metro areas. In 2023, participants created growth plans aimed at increasing their businesses by 5 to 10 times, focusing on strategies specific to their industries.