Post Graduate Certificate in Management (Entrepreneurship)

The Post Graduate Certificate in Management (Entrepreneurship), offered by the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam (IIMV) in collaboration with SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), is a specialized 18-month full-time program designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mindset, and skills needed to build and scale ventures. The program covers business opportunity identification, venture creation, marketing strategy, entrepreneurial finance, fundraising, HRM in startups, technology application, and operations management. The program is fully funded by SIDBI under its 'Mission Swavalamban' initiative, making it effectively free for selected candidates, with a seat intake of 30 students per batch. It is a campus-based (full-time) program combining 10 months of academic training (380 hours total: 140 hours offline campus immersion + 240 hours online) and 8 months of mentorship, incubation, and venture creation support.

Admissions for the inaugural Batch 1 commenced in September 2024. As of March 2026, Batch 1 is currently underway. Admissions for Batch 2 (2026-27) are expected to open tentatively around mid-2026, based on the previous year's cycle. Candidates are advised to monitor the official IIMV website (iimv.ac.in) for the announcement of Batch 2 application dates.

Key Points

• The program is fully funded by SIDBI under the 'Mission Swavalamban' initiative - there is no tuition fee for selected candidates.
• Only 30 candidates are selected per batch, making it a highly competitive and exclusive program.
• Candidates must be residents of Andhra Pradesh or Telangana (or have an existing venture operational in these states).
• The program mandates legal registration of the venture (under the Companies Act, 2013) after completion of the Academic Training Module.
• Each selected candidate's enterprise must bring a minimum investment of INR 5 lakh after registration and maintain it until program completion.
• The program combines campus immersion (two phases) with online learning, offering a blended delivery model.
• Upon successful completion, participants are awarded the "PG Certificate in Entrepreneurship" by IIM Visakhapatnam.
• Candidates must submit a business plan/entrepreneurial idea at the time of application.

IIMV PGCM (Entrepreneurship) Fees

The PG Certificate in Management (Entrepreneurship) at IIMV is a fully SIDBI-funded program, meaning there is no tuition fee charged to selected candidates. The only financial obligation for admitted students is a refundable security deposit of INR 40,000 payable at the time of program registration. This deposit is returned upon successful completion and graduation from the program. There are no hostel charges mentioned as mandatory for this program.

Fee Components

• The INR 40,000 deposit is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program.
• The program is funded by SIDBI under the 'Mission Swavalamban' initiative (funded in March 2024).
• Each candidate's enterprise must bring a minimum investment of INR 5 lakh post-registration (this is a venture investment requirement, not a program fee).
• No EMI or payment schedule is applicable given the nominal refundable deposit structure.

IIMV PGCM (Entrepreneurship) Admission 2026

Admissions to the PG Certificate in Management (Entrepreneurship) at IIMV are conducted through a competitive selection process. The program targets aspiring entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with only 30 seats available per batch. The selection involves application screening, shortlisting, and a personal interview or other assessment (online/physical). Batch 1 was launched in September 2024; Batch 2 admissions are expected to be announced tentatively in mid-2026.

Admission Dates

All dates are tentative and based on the Batch 1 (2024) cycle. Candidates must check the official IIMV website (iimv.ac.in) for confirmed Batch 2 dates.

Entrance Exam Dates

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree (10+2+3) in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks.
• Candidate must be an Indian citizen currently residing in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, or have an existing operational (unregistered) venture in these states (venture must be 1-2 years old; only the main founder is eligible).
• Candidate must be in the age group of 22-40 years as on the last date of application submission; NRIs and foreign nationals are not eligible.

Admission Process:

• Visit the official IIMV website and fill out the online application form with one entrepreneurial idea.
• Submit the application along with two government-issued ID proofs and, if applicable, an existing business plan.
• Shortlisting by the Screening Committee based on application review.
• Appear for Personal Interview or other assessment (online/physical) as scheduled by IIMV.
• Final selection list published and offer letters issued to 30 selected candidates.
• Sign a mandatory agreement to legally register the venture (under Companies Act, 2013) after the Academic Training Module.
• Pay the refundable deposit of INR 40,000 at the time of program registration.

IIMV PGCM (Entrepreneurship) Scholarships 2026

Since the PG Certificate in Management (Entrepreneurship) at IIMV is fully funded by SIDBI, there is no separate scholarship structure for this program. The SIDBI funding itself covers all academic and training costs for the 30 selected candidates, making the program accessible without financial burden. The only financial commitment from students is the refundable deposit of INR 40,000.

Scholarship Details

• The SIDBI funding was initiated in March 2024 for the first cohort.
• No separate merit-based or need-based scholarships are currently listed for this program.
• Candidates are advised to check the official IIMV website for any additional financial support announced for future batches.

According to an external review site Ranking 2026, IIM Visakhapatnam ranks 39 out of 350 colleges in India and 3rd in state Andhra Pradesh for its PGCM Entrepreneurship program.

• 29 out of 125 under NIRF Management Ranking 2025.
• 24 out of 26 under Outlook Management Ranking 2022.
• 30 out of 100 under IIRF Management Ranking 2026.

Read more on IIM Visakhapatnam Rankings here

IIMV PGCM (Entrepreneurship) FAQs

Ques. Is the PG Certificate in Entrepreneurship at IIMV really free? What is the catch?

Ans. Yes, the program is fully funded by SIDBI under its 'Mission Swavalamban' initiative, so there is no tuition fee. However, you are required to pay a refundable deposit of INR 40,000 at the time of registration, which is returned after successful completion. Additionally, you are legally obligated to register your venture under the Companies Act, 2013 after the academic module, and your enterprise must bring a minimum investment of INR 5 lakh post-registration.

Ques. Can candidates from states other than Andhra Pradesh or Telangana apply?

Ans. No. The program is specifically designed for aspiring entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Candidates must currently reside in either of these two states, or have an existing operational venture in these states. NRIs and foreign nationals are also not eligible.

Ques. Do I need to have an existing business to apply, or can I apply with just an idea?

Ans. You can apply with just an entrepreneurial idea. However, if you already have an existing operational (but unregistered) venture of 1-2 years in AP or Telangana, you may also apply as the main founder. You must submit your business plan or entrepreneurial idea as part of the application.

Ques. What happens if I do not register my venture after completing the academic module?

Ans. Candidates are required to mandatorily sign an agreement at the time of admission committing to legally register their venture under the Companies Act, 2013 after the Academic Training Module. Failure to do so may affect the award of the PG Certificate. The program's objective is venture creation, and registration is a key completion criterion.

Ques. What is the mode of the program - is it fully residential or can I attend online?

Ans. The program follows a blended model. Out of 380 total hours, 140 hours are offline (campus immersion in two phases at IIMV, Visakhapatnam) and 240 hours are online. So while it is classified as full-time, it is not entirely residential - you will need to attend campus for two immersion phases.

Ques. What kind of support does IIMV provide after the academic training module?

Ans. After the 10-month academic training module, IIMV provides 8 months of mentorship, guidance, and incubation support to help participants transform their business ideas into viable startups. This includes assistance in securing funding, theoretical and analytical training, and support through IIMV's incubation ecosystem in partnership with SIDBI.