Startups, Exchange Programmes Power IIM Bodh Gaya’s Global Push

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya is emerging as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship and global academic engagement, with focused initiatives spanning startups, incubation, alumni networking and international collaborations, the Ministry of Education said on Monday.

Under the #HEIInnovateAndCollaborate initiative, the institute has been nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem driven by students through its Envision Cell (Entrepreneurship Cell) . Several student-led ventures have gained traction, including CAN3 , which has crossed ₹1 crore in valuation, and Sippin , valued at around ₹50 lakh, along with startups such as Flowy, Aviglu and Discorso.

The institute’s Incubation Centre currently supports 40 active startups , offering co-working spaces, live industry projects and structured mentorship from a pool of over 65 industry experts and investors . Among the incubated firms, Airspace Globe has reached advanced-stage discussions with potential investors, reflecting the centre’s growing impact.

IIM Bodh Gaya has also been strengthening lifelong engagement with its alumni through the Alumni Relations Committee . Flagship initiatives such as Anusmriti , the Alumni Guidance Programme , and global mentorship platforms connect students with industry leaders in India and abroad, providing career guidance and international exposure.

On the global front, the institute has expanded its academic footprint through partnerships with 39 international institutions . A recent milestone includes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of New Brunswick, Canada . Faculty exchange programmes, delegation visits from Sweden and Russia, and overseas teaching stints by IIM Bodh Gaya faculty have further enhanced academic diplomacy.

During the 2024–25 academic year , 43 students from the institute completed international exchange programmes in countries such as Italy, Sweden, the United States, France and South Korea . A fully funded apprenticeship at the University of Notre Dame (USA) and the hosting of international students under the Study in India programme have added to the institute’s global learning environment.

To promote global citizenship, IIM Bodh Gaya regularly organises experiential learning events such as Model WTO, Model ICJ and Passport Camp , enabling students to engage with international policy issues, diplomacy and global governance.

According to the Ministry, these initiatives collectively position IIM Bodh Gaya as a future-ready management institution aligned with India’s higher education reform agenda.