Que: Could you briefly introduce NSRCEL and Alstom’s roles in driving sustainable mobility in India, and how this collaboration came about?

Ans: Anand Sri Ganesh: At NSRCEL, the incubation hub of IIM Bangalore, we have been enabling entrepreneurs for over two decades. Our role is to identify promising founders, nurture them with world-class mentorship, and equip them to solve India’s most pressing challenges. Sustainable Mobility is a space where innovation can directly improve lives and reduce carbon impact. When Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, approached us, it was a natural fit. Together, we set out to foster innovation from the grassroots — enabling Indian startups to build impactful solutions with access to deep domain knowledge and structured support.

Sapna Bhawnani: At Alstom, sustainability isn't a buzzword-it's central to everything we do. We design smart mobility solutions that are not only efficient but environmentally responsible. Partnering with NSRCEL allowed us to combine our industry expertise with their proven incubation model.

The collaboration was rooted in a shared belief: India’s climate and mobility goals cannot be met without empowering startups. They bring agility, fresh thinking, and the ability to rapidly pilot and scale. This program is about creating a pipeline of innovators who can shape India’s low-carbon transport future.

Que: What was the vision behind launching the Sustainable Mobility Incubation Program, and how does it align with India’s green mobility roadmap?

Ans: Anand Sri Ganesh: Our vision was to create an ecosystem where young ventures can test, refine, and scale their solutions for sustainable mobility. India has ambitious goals of net-zero by 2070 and rapid electrification of transport. But policy and infrastructure alone can’t achieve this; startups play a critical role in innovating at speed. The program’s design ensures that startups align with India’s green roadmap while also building financially sustainable business models.

Sapna Bhawnani: Alstom has long believed in open innovation and co-creation with startups. India’s green mobility roadmap talks about EV adoption, charging infrastructure, alternative fuels, and other areas where our program directly contributes. By supporting ventures in these spaces, we are accelerating India’s path to a low-carbon future. We don’t just want to observe the change -we want to be active enablers of the transformation.

Que: How does the program identify and select startups that can truly disrupt the mobility and sustainability space?

Ans: Anand Sri Ganesh: We have partnerships with different incubators and ecosystem players. We ensure our outreach taps into Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities or someone sitting in a lab and building an innovative startup. The idea is to tap the right talent. We also ensure diversity in the pipeline across EVs, charging infra, hydrogen, waste-to-value, and data-driven mobility solutions. We run a very rigorous selection process. Out of hundreds of applications, ventures are shortlisted based on product-market fit, clarity in revenue model, sustainability impact, and their ‘X-factor.’ We are not just looking for good ideas, but we are looking for founders who can execute, scale, and stay resilient through challenges.

Que: Beyond funding, what kind of mentorship, market access, and technological support do the startups receive?

Ans: Anand Sri Ganesh: Funding is just one part. What really transforms startups is access to NSRCEL’s ecosystem — anchor mentors, IIMB faculty, peer learning, investor connects, and business hygiene sessions on finance, legal, and compliance. We also conduct deep-dive workshops on GTM strategy, fundraising readiness, and scaling.

Sapna Bhawnani: From Alstom’s side, we open doors for market access and industry validation. Startups get to interact with our experts, and business teams. Many of them get the chance to test pilots or explore collaborations. This bridges the gap between promising ideas and actual market deployment.

Que: How do you see the sustainable mobility sector evolving in India over the next 5–10 years, and where do you see the biggest opportunities?

Ans: Anand Sri Ganesh: I see four big opportunities:

• Electrification of transport: not just cars and two-wheelers, but buses, and logistics.
• Circularity and battery recycling: to make EV adoption truly sustainable.
• Digital mobility solutions — AI, IoT, and data-driven platforms that optimise fleet and energy use.
• Startups that can innovate here will play a central role in shaping India’s future cities.

Sapna Bhawnani: I would add that the next decade will be about integrated solutions — where public and private transport, renewable energy, and urban planning converge. India will also see opportunities in multi-modal smart mobility. The startups we are incubating today could be the technology providers of tomorrow’s metro systems or national infrastructure.

Que: From your perspective, what are the most critical policy or infrastructure changes needed to accelerate adoption?

Ans: Anand Sri Ganesh: Policy certainty is crucial. Startups need confidence that regulations around EVs, charging infra, or carbon credits won’t shift too drastically. Another big area is infrastructure: ensuring last-mile charging, robust power grids, and financing mechanisms that make EVs affordable.

Sapna Bhawnani: I would emphasise two things:

Public-private partnerships — government must collaborate more with startups and corporates to scale pilots quickly.
Standardisation — whether in charging tech, battery swapping, or carbon measurement. Without standards, scaling becomes a challenge. Policy that encourages collaboration while setting clear guardrails will accelerate adoption.

Que: What has been the impact of the program so far? Any success stories you’d like to share?

Ans: Anand Sri Ganesh: In just two cohorts, we have supported over 40 startups. Many have gone on to raise funding, expand to new markets, or deploy pilots with industry partners. For example, some ventures in EV infra like Felxtron and ReVx Energy are already working with government bodies and logistics companies.

Sapna Bhawnani: One of our startups, ‘The Energy Company’ has worked on battery tech with potential to lower lifecycle costs significantly. For us, seeing these startups scale impact is the real measure of success.

Que: How do you see the partnership between NSRCEL and Alstom evolving?

Ans: Anand Sri Ganesh: We see this as a long-term journey. Mobility is just one piece of the sustainability puzzle. Together, we want to co-create an ecosystem to ensure holistic support for startups.

Sapna Bhawnani: Absolutely. Our partnership is about co-creating impact. As mobility challenges evolve, we will continue to evolve the program to stay ahead.