Manipur Technical University Innovation Foundation

Startup Manipur Bootcamp 2023–2024 (Second Batch): Empowering the Next Wave of Changemakers

The Startup Manipur Bootcamp 2023–2024 (Second Batch) marked a significant step forward in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of Manipur. Building on the momentum of the first batch, this 3-month program—organized by the Startup Manipur initiative and implemented by AIC MTU Innovation Foundation—brought together an energetic new cohort of aspiring entrepreneurs, student innovators, and early-stage founders from across the state. Designed to guide participants from idea to execution, the bootcamp offered a mix of virtual workshops, in-person mentoring, expert masterclasses, and investor connect opportunities. Sessions focused on business model development, market validation, financial planning, branding, regulatory compliance, and pitch readiness. This batch introduced new elements such as deeper focus on sustainability, problem-solution fit, and digital innovation—catering to local needs in agri-tech, tourism, crafts, health, and services. The program concluded with a high-energy Demo Day, where top teams pitched their startups to a panel of investors, policymakers, and ecosystem enablers. With over 30 participants and strong mentor support, the second batch deepened the startup culture in Manipur and reaffirmed the state’s growing position as a hub for grassroots innovation in Northeast India.

5/8/20241 min read

🏁 Overview:

Following the success of its inaugural batch, the Startup Manipur Bootcamp 2023–2024 (Second Batch) was launched to build on the momentum and scale up support for emerging entrepreneurs from across the state. Driven by the Department of Planning, Government of Manipur, and executed by AIC MTU Innovation Foundation, the program served as a vital platform for converting ideas into actionable ventures.

🎯 Objectives:

Build entrepreneurial capacity among students, local innovators, and early-stage founders.
Promote tech-enabled and sustainable solutions tailored to the Northeast context.
Connect founders to key stakeholders—mentors, investors, government agencies, and startup enablers.
Offer guided exposure to startup planning, validation, and pitching.

🧭 Duration & Format:

Duration: 3 months (12 weeks)
Format: Hybrid (Virtual workshops + Physical mentoring and ecosystem connects)
Location: AIC MTU Innovation Foundation, MTU Campus

📚 Program Components:

Startup Mindset & Ideation: Ice-breaking, entrepreneurial mindset building, identifying real-world problems.
Customer Discovery & Validation: Market research, user personas, early feedback loops.
Prototype & Business Strategy: MVP planning, Go-to-Market strategy, and business scalability.
Funding Readiness: Understanding grants, funding stages, startup budgeting, and pitch finance.
Pitch Development: Elevator pitch, investor storytelling, pitch deck design, and mock pitching.
Mentor Clinics: Deep-dive mentoring with domain-specific experts and founders.

📌 Highlights:

50+ startups and innovators onboarded from various sectors including agri-tech, clean-tech, crafts, ed-tech, and tourism.
Interactive sessions with 25+ national-level experts from incubation centres, VC firms, and government programs.
Local success stories featured to inspire and build confidence among first-time entrepreneurs.
Field exposure programs and prototyping support included for hands-on experience.
Demo Day witnessed enthusiastic pitches before industry mentors, investors, and Startup Manipur evaluators.

🏆 Outcomes:

Multiple teams were shortlisted for Idea Stage or Revenue Stage support under Startup Manipur.
A number of ventures entered the pre-incubation and incubation pipeline at AIC MTU.
Participants reported increased clarity in market positioning, business communication, and investor interaction.
The bootcamp helped institutionalize startup development pathways in colleges and rural communities.

🧩 What’s New in This Batch?

Greater focus on problem-solution fit and product-market alignment
Stronger emphasis on sustainability, frugal innovation, and digital tools
Mentor follow-up sessions and diagnostics for idea-stage founders
Inclusion of startup success stories from Manipur and Northeast India