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.
Boeing has opened applications for the fourth edition of its Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) programme for 2024-25, targeting university graduates and early-stage startup entrepreneurs in India. This year’s launch event featured 40 angel investors and venture capitalists reviewing startup ideas from past winners, offering significant exposure and investment opportunities. Boeing continues its collaboration with seven Indian incubators, including IIT-Mumbai and IISc-Bengaluru, to support participants. Finalists will undergo boot camps, and winners, announced in January 2025, will receive grants of ₹10 lakh each. The last date for applications is October 15, 2024, with further details available on Boeing's official website.
YourStory’s Tech30, a highlight of the TechSparks event, is calling for applications for its 2024 cohort. This initiative identifies and showcases India’s top 30 most promising tech startups, offering them a platform to demonstrate their innovation and potential. Past Tech30 alumni include industry disruptors and unicorns such as Freshworks and Chargebee, reflecting the high caliber of startups recognized through this program. Selected startups will benefit from exclusive exposure at TechSparks Bengaluru 2024, taking place from September 26 to 28. They will have the opportunity to present their ideas, connect with potential investors, and network with industry experts and mentors. Applying for Tech30 offers a chance to join a prestigious group of emerging leaders and gain significant traction in the tech ecosystem.
T-Hub, India’s leading innovation ecosystem, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BEYOND4, a Malaysian accelerator ecosystem, facilitated by the Indian ASEAN Startup Summit (IASS). This partnership will benefit startups in India and Malaysia by focusing on five key areas: cross-border collaboration, investment facilitation, business expansion support, innovation promotion, and knowledge exchange. Key dignitaries, including S T Rubaneswaran of BEYOND4 and Mahankali Srinivas Rao (MSR) of T-Hub, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in driving innovation and supporting startups in scaling globally. This partnership aligns with global efforts, similar to the EU Horizon 2020 initiative and Singapore-Germany collaboration, to develop thriving startup ecosystems.
The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Dollygunj held a Startup Boot Camp, empowering over 100 students to transform their ideas into businesses. Organized by the Industries Department, the event focused on fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Students learned about the Startup India scheme, startup procedures, and government benefits. Mr. Venkatesh Ch, Principal of ITI, emphasized the rewards of forming startups. Mrs. Sunitha Kumari, Assistant Director (Tech) at the Directorate of Industries, urged students to actively pursue their ideas. Unicorniz Innovations Pvt. Ltd. showcased their AR/VR software, enhancing the event's success. The boot camp concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Shahid Khan, marking the event as a resounding success.
In a significant move to strengthen the startup landscape across ASEAN nations, the Foundation for Innovation and Research Support (F.I.R.S.T) at IIT-Kanpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ASEAN Economic Forum. The signing ceremony occurred at the India-ASEAN ScaleHub Programme 2024 in Bali, Indonesia. This collaboration aims to enhance technology access, market opportunities, and business connections for startups in ASEAN countries. Funded by the Indian government through the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund, the India-ASEAN ScaleHub Programme is supported by the Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of External Affairs. It promotes India-ASEAN partnerships through innovation-driven activities, fostering economic ties, and sustainable development. The event gathered senior stakeholders and 40 startups, providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for business expansion across ASEAN markets.
Tyre manufacturer Michelin, in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has launched the AI Startup Challenge to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in India. Hosted on the Startup India portal, this 12-week challenge invites AI startups to showcase their capabilities. The top three startups will receive paid pilot projects from Michelin and opportunities for global contracts and incubation support. The AI Startup Challenge starts with outreach and applications in July 2024, followed by shortlisting and mentorship, culminating in a demo day in September 2024. Michelin India's Managing Director Shantanu Deshpande emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, anticipating active participation from Indian startups to create global solutions.
Bengaluru India Nano aims to highlight the most innovative startups in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. During the 13th event, these startups will present pioneering concepts, emphasizing Nanotechnology's crucial role in their products or services. This platform allows startups to showcase their ideas to industry leaders, research experts, policymakers, venture capitalists, and global startups. With over 700 delegates representing international organizations, the event offers invaluable exposure. The BIN-2024 Conference committee manages the selection process. Startups will connect with leading experts, mentors, top corporations, and investors. Eligible startups must be registered in India and less than 10 years old. Applications close on July 10, 2024.
