New Delhi, January 12 (India Science Wire): India has become the third-largest startup
ecosystem in the world after the US and China. During the last 2 years, 65 Indian
startups achieved unicorn status, taking the overall tally of startup unicorns in India to
- Startup India, an initiative of the Government of India, projects a YoY growth of
12-15%.
The 8 th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF2022), which will be organised
from 21-24 January 2023, at Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT),
Bhopal, has an exclusive event titled ‘Startup Conclave’. The conclave would have a
particular focus on the Biotech Innovation ecosystem championed by the Department
of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
(BIRAC), an Interface Agency, set up by the DBT.
The conclave will showcase the outcomes of the largest funding schemes in the biotech
sector, namely, the Biotech Ignition Grant (BIG) for entrepreneurs and startups and the
BioNEST scheme for bio-incubation centres that have completed ten years and have
made an immense contribution.
The four major elements of the Conclave include an exhibition of innovative products
and technologies by startups in various fields; exhibits by Incubators offering enabling
services and shared infrastructure; focused discussions on startup challenges and
opportunities; and guidance on availing enabling opportunities under Startup India
mission.
Discussions and communications among the Startups during the event are expected to
strengthen and empower the emerging startup ecosystem of India. The event would
offer an opportunity to meet people who are part of the startup community in various
forms, be it the innovators, the implementing authorities, or researchers supporting
the innovations. The event would offer excellent opportunities to learn, understand,
and engage with ‘science-led’ Startups and supporting enablers, especially the
Incubation centres.
India has entered the Amrit Kaal, when, in the coming 25 years, it will be a nation
having nearly 60% of its population young and active. Fostering the spirit of innovation
and entrepreneurship in our youth will help develop the Atmanirbhar Bharat. The
young minds should be encouraged to look for affordable innovations to tackle a wide
range of social issues. With effective diffusion of the innovations, startup products and
services can be replicated in various places, promoting a holistic growth, especially for
the rural regions.
For startups and entrepreneurs, it is imperative to ensure the global competitiveness of
their products and services. Union Minister of State Science & Technology and Ministry
of Earth Sciences (Ind. Charges), Minister of State PMO, PP/DoPT, Atomic Energy, and
Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, while addressing the Centre-State Science Conclave, held at
the Science City in Ahmedabad in September 2022, said, “Integration of research,
startups, academia, and industry is no longer an option but a dire necessity to attract
young innovators in the country, particularly in the states to come out with cutting-
edge and globally competitive products and solutions.”
A platform like IISF will be the right place to learn tricks of the trade from the experts.