Purpose <p>This study aims to assess the impact of key business incubation resources on the performance of incubated startups in the agri-food sector in India.</p> Design/methodology <p>A quantitative method was used, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the data gathered from agri-food incubatees using structured questionnaire and personal visits. The sampling followed a purposive approach, targeting only those who had completed at least one incubation cycle. A total of 256 valid responses were analyzed. Performance was measured using indicators such as revenue growth, sales expansion, and employment creation. The significance of each resource in affecting startup performance was discovered by testing hypotheses.</p> Findings <p>The results revealed that networking opportunities, access to funding, and the brand reputation of the host incubator had a significant positive impact on agri-food startup performance. In contrast, support services and access to training and workshops did not significantly influence performance. The brand of the host incubator turned out to be the most influential factor.</p> Practical implication <p>The findings highlight the importance of strategically allocating resources within incubators. To ensure the success of agri-food ventures, policymakers and incubator managers should prioritize enhancing access to funding, expanding networking opportunities, and strengthening the incubator’s brand.</p> Originality <p>This research contributes to the literature by offering an empirical analysis of the effectiveness of incubation resources specifically in the agri-food sector, a relatively understudied area in business incubation research.</p>