NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore’s flagship startup incubator, has announced the appointment of Rasika Prashant as its Chief Executive Officer, effective June 8, 2026.

A computer science graduate with an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, she began her career in marketing and digital strategy before taking on leadership roles in retail operations and entrepreneurship.

Rasika is best known as the co-founder and former chief marketing officer of Tata Soulfull, where she helped build the company from the ground up. She played a critical role in the firm’s acquisition and integration into Tata Consumer Products. Her contributions have been recognised through honours including Marketer of the Year at MAA 2024, AdTech Marketer of the Year, and Impact Magazine’s Most Influential Women of 2025.

This appointment marks a new chapter for NSRCEL as it continues to strengthen its role in supporting startups that address real-world challenges across sectors. With deep roots in entrepreneurship and brand building, Rasika is expected to further expand the organisation’s impact through founder-centric programmes, strategic collaborations, and ecosystem-led initiatives.

“As India’s innovation ecosystem enters its next phase of growth, I look forward to strengthening NSRCEL’s impact by adding depth, sophistication, and structured rigour to how we enable entrepreneurs,” said Prashant.

NSRCEL also expresses its appreciation to Anand Sri Ganesh, former CEO, for his leadership and contributions to the organisation. Under his guidance, the incubator expanded its reach and strengthened its programmes and partnerships, laying a strong foundation for continued growth.

Published on June 16, 2026