SIIC, IIT Kanpur and G.B. Pant University Join Forces to Nurture Agritech Innovations & Startups
- SIIC, IIT Kanpur and GB Pant University hosted an AgriTech Innovation and Startup Meet, exchanging an MoU to provide technical guidance and support for agriculture startups.
- The event united domain experts, startups, funding agency, and stakeholders from both institutions to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture.
- Startups from both universities showcased their ventures, encouraging collaboration and growth in North India’s agricultural entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Pantnagar – In a move to ignite innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur and G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUA&T) co-hosted the “AgriTech Innovation and Startup Meet” at GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand.
The event featured key addresses from prominent figures in the agricultural innovation space. Dr. Ajeet Singh Nain, Director of Research, GBPUA&T; Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Co-Professor In Charge, SIIC IIT Kanpur; and Dr. Amita Joshi, Deputy General Manager, BIRAC emphasized their commitment to support agritech startups from both the institutions throughout their journey from ideation and development to validation, regulatory compliance, market access by engaging with Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs), among others.
Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, GBPUA&T highlighted the significant potential of this partnership to uplift the agritech innovation ecosystem in the northern region of the country.
Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay Co-Professor In Charge, SIIC IIT Kanpur, said, “The enthusiasm on display from the faculty and student members of G.B. Pant University was infectious. I am confident that this relationship will deliver the desired results for these two great institutions and the startup ecosystem of India and the country in general.”
Dr. Ajeet Singh Nain, Director of Research, GBPUA&T, highlighted the far-reaching impact of this partnership by stating “This one-day workshop, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, continues our university’s efforts towards innovation and excellence. We look forward to these deliberations laying a strong foundation for future advancements.”
Dr. Amita Joshi provided valuable insights on funding opportunities available for agricultural startups through BIRAC, stressing on the importance of providing suitable institutional support and guidance to help startups test and validate their technologies.
A key highlight of the event was the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SIIC, IIT Kanpur, and GB Pant University. This MoU establishes a framework for collaboration, facilitating technical guidance and joint efforts to support startups. Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay from SIIC, IIT Kanpur, and Dr. A.S. Nain from GBPUA&T exchanged the MoU during the event.
The event provided a platform for startups from both universities to showcase their transformative ventures. Startups from SIIC, IIT Kanpur and GBPUA&T, presented their innovative technologies to the audience. This platform enabled it interaction and potential collaborations between the startups and scientists, enabling a more robust agricultural entrepreneurship ecosystem in North India.
A captivating panel discussion titled “Collaboration Avenues between IIT Kanpur & G.B. Pant University and Strategies to Boost Agricultural Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in North India” further fuelled the spirit of collaboration.
The AgriTech Innovation and Startup Meet 2024 concluded on a high note, marking the beginning of a promising partnership between SIIC IIT Kanpur and GBPUA&T. This collaboration is poised to propel innovation, empower startups, and contribute significantly to the development of impactful agritech solutions for a more sustainable future.