NSRCEL at IIM-Bengaluru is incubating over 100 social impact ventures from eco-friendly innovations to education initiatives
The HinduPreviously, social impact ventures and entrepreneurs encountered numerous challenges. The startup incubator NSRCEL at IIM-Bengaluru has to date incubated over 100 social impact ventures, ranging from transforming coconut leaves into straws to enhancing the educational outcomes of students in rural Karnataka. Saji Varghese, founder of Sunbird Straws, the world’s first premium multi-layered drinking straws made from dried coconut and pandanus leaves who has been supported by NSRCEL’s Impact Orbit programme has been manufacturing straws that are entirely biodegradable and eco-friendly. Therefore, in 2017, I resolved to develop an environmentally friendly product utilising coconut leaves.” “Crafted through a process free from chemicals, the patented multi-layered straw boasts natural anti-fungal properties and hydrophobic outer and inner walls. The NSRCEL has also been incubating a non profit organisation ‘Sitara Akka’ which has been founded by a group of young volunteers to help rural children with quality vernacular education easily available at every child’s fingertips.
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NSRCEL gives grants to ten women-led start-ups
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