Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (FIED), IIM Kashipur – Empowering Agri and Rural Startups in India
Location: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur, Kundeshwari, Dist. Udham Singh Nagar, Kashipur, Uttarakhand – 244713, India
The Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (FIED) was established in May 2018 under the aegis of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur, Uttarakhand. FIED is recognized as a leading agri incubator in India, promoting rural innovation, startup incubation, and sustainable entrepreneurship. As a Center of Excellence under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, FIED actively supports agribusiness startups, grassroots innovators, and agri-tech ventures.With state-of-the-art infrastructure, funding support, and expert mentoring, FIED plays a pivotal role in nurturing early-stage startups across the agriculture and allied sectors. Through strategic partnerships and government-backed schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – RAFTAAR, FIED is committed to driving inclusive rural development and job creation in the agri-entrepreneurship ecosystem.Over the years, FIED has incubated 150+ ventures, engaged 500+ entrepreneurs, mobilized ₹50 crores in funds, and built connections with 100+ investors The IIM Kashipur Blog+1InsideIIM+1.
Services Offered
FIED offers comprehensive support through the following programs:
- Drishti Incubation Program: a one-year fellowship combining two-month mentorship and incubation phase; includes marketing strategy support, product validation, media exposure, investor meet access, demo stall participation, and funding up to ₹50 lakh India Today+13IndiaFilings+13Entrepreneur+13.
- RABI Program: RKVY‑RAFTAAR supported agri‑entrepreneurship track (Sahas & Saksham pathways) offering grants up to ₹25 lakh and incubation for agri-tech startups within agriculture and allied sectors InsideIIMeducation.siliconindia.com.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) facilitated incubation support up to ₹50 lakh via convertible debentures or grant-based funding (>₹5 crore disbursed across 23 startups) fied.in+2Entrepreneur+2Reddit+2.
- Access to co-working space, mentoring by IIM faculty, industry experts & investors, branding on FIED platform, tech advisory, supply-chain support, and exposure in national startup events Reddit+13IndiaFilings+13India Today+13.
Eligibility & Application
- Eligibility: Entrepreneurs, agri-startups, and early-stage innovators working in agriculture, food processing, rural development, or sustainable technologies are eligible to apply at the Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (FIED). Applicants can be individual innovators, registered startups, social enterprises, or students with a strong business idea or prototype. The venture should demonstrate potential for scalability, market viability, and positive impact in the rural or agri-sector.
- Application: Interested candidates can apply to FIED’s incubation or acceleration programs by submitting an online application through the official FIED website. The application form typically requires details such as founder profile, business idea or product, market scope, and social or agricultural impact. Once submitted, applications go through a multi-stage screening process, which may include initial shortlisting, one-on-one interviews, and a final pitch presentation before selection into a relevant cohort.
Recent News & Impact
FIED has successfully incubated over 100 startups, many of which have scaled nationally and internationally. It has facilitated funding of over ₹10 crore through various government and private sources.The incubator was also recently recognized among the top performers under the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme.
To read more updates and success stories, check our News & Updates section.
Leadership & Partnerships
- Leadership: The Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (FIED) is guided by a visionary leadership team from IIM Kashipur, led by renowned faculty and industry experts. The core team includes Prof. Kuldeep Kumar and other seasoned professionals with experience in startup incubation, rural development, and agribusiness innovation. Their leadership ensures strategic guidance, program excellence, and impactful mentorship for startups at every stage.
- Partnerships: FIED actively collaborates with reputed national and international organizations to strengthen its incubation ecosystem. Its key partners include the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Startup Uttarakhand, NABARD, and the Agri Consortium of South Asia (COSA). These partnerships help FIED offer funding access, policy alignment, expert networks, and a strong support system for agri and rural startups.
Events & Outreach
FIED actively organizes:
- Bootcamps and training workshops (e.g., Sahas, Saksham, Drishti cohorts)
- Investor meets and demo days to showcase incubated startups
- National-level summits like the Agri Consortium with participation from HEIs and policy bodies
- Awareness events for entrepreneurs in underserved sectors like agri, social impact, and rural development Reddit+14The Hindu Business Line+14IndiaFilings+14The Times of India+7The IIM Kashipur Blog+7InsideIIM+7India Today
Contact Information
- Address: Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (FIED) Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, Kundeshwari, Kashipur – 244713, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India
- Email: fied.sisfs@iimkashipur.ac.in
- Website: fied.in
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