IIM Sambalpur Becomes First University Member of ISPMA 

We are proud to announce a major milestone in the history of ISPMA: Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur (IIM Sambalpur) has joined ISPMA as our first official University Member. This landmark partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter for ISPMA—one that extends our commitment to excellence in SPM into the heart of academia.

Advancing ISPMA Mission Through Education

For over a decade, ISPMA has led the way in developing the Software Product Management Body of Knowledge (SPMBoK), an evolving and comprehensive framework that enables individuals, teams, and organizations to adopt global best practices in software product management.

With this new partnership model, ISPMA is now officially and actively collaborating with leading academic institutions to foster the education of future product leaders and integrate SPM principles into formal curricula. This step is fully aligned with our vision to shape the future of software product management not only through industry engagement, but also by nurturing talent at the educational foundation.

IIM Sambalpur at a Glance

We are happy to welcome IIM Sambalpur, a dynamic and rapidly growing Indian Institute of Management, as our inaugural University Member. Established in 2015, IIM Sambalpur has quickly distinguished itself through academic excellence, innovative pedagogy, and strong industry engagement. 

Located in Odisha, India, IIM Sambalpur’s 200-acre campus combines sustainability with cultural identity. The architecture thoughtfully integrates local traditions, including Odisha’s iconic IKAT textile art, into modern, eco-friendly infrastructure. The institute has also made headlines for its gender-inclusive approach, with some of the highest proportions of female students across Indian business schools, and for consistently achieving 100% placement outcomes.

Moreover, IIM Sambalpur has demonstrated strong global ambitions through international dual-degree programs and impactful social entrepreneurship initiatives — further cementing its readiness to lead in areas like Software Product Management.

Scope of the Partnership

The collaboration between ISPMA and IIM Sambalpur is designed to be deep, strategic, and multifaceted. It includes:

• Establishing a Centre of Excellence in Product Management at IIM Sambalpur to serve as a national hub for SPM innovation and thought leadership.
• Introducing ISPMA-aligned electives into the academic curriculum to build foundational skills for future product managers.
• Conducting joint research projects and publications, promoting new knowledge in software product management.
• Supporting startups and industry collaboration through mentoring, innovation programs, and ISPMA events.
• Governance through a joint steering committee comprising representatives from both ISPMA and IIM Sambalpur, including Mr. Venkatesh Mahadevan, Mr. Vibhuti Singh, Prof. Merlin Nandy, Prof. Sandip Mukhopadhyay, and Prof. Eshan Bhatt.

Looking Ahead

IIM Sambalpur’s entry as our first academic member marks a significant milestone for ISPMA. It is the first step in building a global academic network dedicated to advancing SPM.

We are committed to deepening this collaboration and inviting more universities around the world to join us. Together, we aim to educate and inspire the next generation of product managers, researchers, and innovators — strengthening the global software product ecosystem in the process.

This is just the beginning. ISPMA is actively forming new partnerships with academic institutions to expand access to SPM education and foster lasting collaboration between academia and industry. In a world that increasingly depends on digital products, the demand for skilled, product-minded leaders continues to grow. With partners like IIM Sambalpur, we are better positioned than ever to meet that need.

To universities around the world: The door is open. Let’s shape the future of software product management — together.