The Samarth 2024-25 Workshop, organized by Pusa Krishi and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, aims to empower India’s agri-business incubators. Scheduled for November 6-7 at NASC Complex, New Delhi, the workshop brings together Knowledge Partners, industry leaders, and policymakers to support RKVY RAFTAAR incubators. Through focused sessions and collaboration, the event will equip incubators with essential resources to drive sustainable innovation and growth in India’s agricultural sector.
Karnataka’s IT Minister, Priyank Kharge, recently launched ELEVATE 2024 and KAN to empower startups with seed funding and acceleration support. ELEVATE 2024 offers up to Rs 50 lakh in grants for early-stage startups, while KAN provides mentorship and market access, especially for companies outside Bengaluru. Designed to foster innovation, these programs support growth in sectors like AI, IoT, and SpaceTech, positioning Karnataka as a major startup hub. Applications for ELEVATE 2024 are open until November 29 via missionstartupkarnataka.org.
The Women ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI), in collaboration with Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) and UN-APCICT, empowers Indian women entrepreneurs with vital ICT skills. Since its 2018 launch, WIFI has transformed women-led businesses through digital marketing training and resources. This recent program highlighted inspiring success stories, including eco-friendly products by Feminy Enterprises, home hydroponics from Shudh Green, and saffron cultivation by Purple Springs, showcasing the initiative’s impact on financial independence and digital expansion for women entrepreneurs across India.
Three innovative startups—Live2.ai and NeuralGarage from India, and Creatively Squared from Singapore—have been named winners of the L'Oréal Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program for the SAPMENA region. This achievement grants them the opportunity to pilot their solutions with one of L'Oréal's global brands, gain exposure across 35 international markets, and benefit from a year-long mentorship with industry leaders. The program, launched in May 2024, underscores L'Oréal's commitment to fostering personalized, inclusive, and sustainable beauty solutions. Aseem Kaushik, Managing Director of L'Oréal India, lauded India’s role as a hub of entrepreneurial talent, recognizing the innovative solutions emerging from its startup ecosystem.
The India-Kenya Innovation Nexus Partnership Charter, signed at IIT Hyderabad, aims to strengthen cross-border collaboration in innovation and entrepreneurship. The partnership, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), focuses on startup incubation, knowledge exchange, and technology commercialization. Kenyan officials, led by Dr. Tonny Omwansa of KeNIA, explored India’s successful public sector-led innovation models, visiting hubs like IIT Hyderabad’s Suzuki Innovation Centre and T-Hub. This collaboration is expected to influence Kenya's policy framework and bolster its startup ecosystem.
Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal and Titan Capital, joins Shark Tank India Season 4, replacing Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal. Goyal exited due to Swiggy, Zomato's competitor, sponsoring the season and requesting his removal. Bahl brings his entrepreneurial expertise to the panel, joining Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, and Ritesh Agarwal. The new season, hosted by Sahiba Bali and Ashish Solanki, will stream on Sony LIV, adding fresh excitement for fans of the popular reality show.
