Guwahati: The Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) has launched the Assam Agribusiness Growth Lab (AAGL), which is being run by CIIE.CO, IIM Ahmedabad's top incubator, in collaboration with Innovative Change Collaborative Services Pvt Ltd.

The initiative seeks to assist 100 firms in the agro and allied industries over four years, with 30% of them being managed by women. According to a press release, the programme focuses on helping selected businesses build capacity by assisting them in improving product standards, developing new products and services, introducing and adopting new technology in production and core operations, and assisting them in raising capital for their businesses.

CIIE.CO organised virtual roadshows and webinars in all of Assam's key districts to identify qualified agricultural companies, disseminate information about the initiative, and welcome applications from eligible businesses.

202 agro and allied companies from 23 Assam districts submitted applications to the AAGL programme as a result of the outreach through roadshows and social media initiatives. The submissions went through a rigorous three-round evaluation process, with the panel selecting 25 businesses (including eight women-led businesses) to constitute the AAGL's first cohort.