FICCI : Industry's Voice for Policy Change

The Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID19 Innovation Challenge-Award Ceremony, which recognized 49 innovative solutions in 5 focus sectors of India, highlighted the necessity of building a highly distributed innovation ecosystem.

Announcing that DST will be soon launching a new program to have highly distributed innovation ecosystem, DST Secretary, Professor Ashutosh Sharma said that to have a startup doing innovation it is important to have networking, support, seed money, prototyping facility and all of these facilities could be provided outside the physical space of incubators.

“DST currently supports 150 technology business incubators with over 4000 technology startups within these incubators across the country, bringing in lots of bright ideas and plans to scale up these numbers. Millennium Alliance, along with the other partners– organisations like USAID, FICCI, DFID have been strong partners in that journey,” Prof Sharma pointed out.

“The Millennium Alliance shows the significance of the partnership of USAID and Indian Government and how it has broadened to bring other partners as well, each of whom brings something to the table” US Chargé D’Affaires Edgard D. Kagan pointed out. Talking about the Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID19 Innovation Challenge-Award, he said that this particular effort is not just about supporting innovations, but also about redoubling support to one of the most critical building blocks of US India relationship of entrepreneurship and exchanges.”

“The Millennium alliance illustrates the way in which all the partners have transferred together expertise in Education, Health, Clean Energy, Water & Sanitation, Agriculture sectors and local innovations to countries in Africa and South Asia. It illustrates how things designed in India through this partnership have a global impact,” Sir Philip Barton, British High Commissioner to India.

In the virtually organised award ceremony organized on August 18, 2020, a total of 49 innovative solutions were awarded with a sum totaling Rs 26 crores for their innovations in 5 focus sectors in India namely Education, Health, Clean Energy, Water & Sanitation, Agriculture and sectors having global focus with pilot projects being run in South Asian and African countries like Nepal, Rwanda, Uganda, Bangladesh, Kenya. Also, 16 innovators were awarded in the category COVID 19 Innovation Challenge. These awarded innovations were selected after a rigorous evaluation process undertaken by FICCI with the help of the program partners and subject matter experts.

The award ceremony was organized in the presence of dignitaries and representatives from its partner organisations — Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UK’s Department for International Development, Facebook and Marico Innovation Foundation.

Speaking at the ceremony Shri AjaiChowdhry, Chair, FICCI Start-up Committee, and Founder, HCL said, “Millennium Alliance responded to the urgent need of COVID19 innovations by launching a focused call to provide funding to support Indian startups whose technologies could be quickly deployed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. More than 400 innovators applied for the call within a span of three weeks”.

The Millennium Alliance is an innovation-driven and impact-focused initiative leveraging collaborative resources to identify test and scale Indian innovations that address global development solutions. It is a consortium of partners (Public-Private Partnership) including the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), Facebook and Marico Innovation Foundation. The program is currently running in its sixth year and has played a catalytic role in providing funding, capacity building, and business development support to Indian social enterprises.

APN News | Aug 19, 2020

FIA Global expands its footprints in Asian Markets

FIA Global, a leading fintech company in digital payment and distribution systems for the last-mile financial inclusion in India and Nepal, today announced its fintech operation in Bangladesh.

FIA Global will provide a specifically curated set of financial products for the low-income customers in the country. As a part of these plans, local and national entrepreneurs will be offered services such as Utility bill payments, insurance, pension scheme, institutional credits for the unorganized sector.

The official announcement came during the prestigious Millennium Alliance awards, where FIA Global was among the awardees.

The Millennium Alliance is a consortium of partners including the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), Facebook and Marico Innovation Foundation. The program is currently in its sixth year and has played a catalytic role in providing funding, capacity building and business development support to Indian social enterprises.

With the grant, FIA Global plans to expand its global business and set up operations in Bangladesh and support innovations that deliver maximum development impact for the bottom of the pyramid

Speaking about receiving the recognition, Seema Prem, Co-Founder and CEO, FIA Global, said, “We are honored to receive this recognition for the second time. Millennium Alliance is a great enabler of the start-up ecosystem. With the grant by Millennium Alliance, we will be able to expand our global presence and enters the Bangladesh market. We look forward to strengthening our presence in the South Asian market.

Sudip Banerjee, Chief Risk Officer of FIA Global commented “The gender gap in financial access in Bangladesh presents an opportunity for FIA to replicate our successful financial inclusion model for women there.

The Navhind Times | Aug 19, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a webinar - ‘Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards’ organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said the last six years have been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

“Today, we support 150 technology business incubators across the country - many of them in universities, IITs. There are around 4,000 start-ups in these incubators. We want to scale them up,” he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up five times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilises its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

“In the past six months, we witnessed dynamic Indian innovators and start-ups rise to the occasion to develop new technologies/solutions across a wide spectrum such as diagnostic, prevention, sanitisation, etc. In response to the pandemic,” he added.

The Millennium Alliance is a consortium of partners (public-private partnership) including the Department of Science and Technology, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), Facebook and Marico Innovation Foundation.

The programme is currently running in its sixth year and has played a catalytic role in providing funding, capacity building and business development support to Indian social enterprises.

The Millennium Alliance Initiative also announced the award of USD 3.6 million (Rs 26.25 Crore) to 49 aspiring Indian social entrepreneurs for their innovative solutions to address Indian and global development challenges.

Among them, 33 innovative solutions will focus on health, agriculture, clean energy, education, water and sanitation and disability.

The remaining 16 solutions will respond to the challenges posed by the current COVID-19 crisis in India and Africa/South Asia with support (up to USD 1.3 million) from the UK Government, the FICCI said in a statement.

Speaking about the Millennium Alliance initiative, Sharma said it directly contributes towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty alleviation, hunger reduction, good health and well-being, quality education, clean water and sanitisation, affordable and clean energy and partnerships.

Sir Philip Barton, British High Commissioner to India, stressed that now more than ever, the global community should come together to tackle the challenges faced by all.

Referring to the Serum India Institute, chosen by the Oxford University and its partner AstraZeneca to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine once it is ready, Barton said on the medical side, the response to the pandemic is absolutely at the forefront of the UK-India partnership.

“The Millennium Alliance Awards recognise the creativity of innovators in providing solutions to the current COVID-19 crisis. As a joint force for good, the UK-India are working together to address global development challenges across health, agriculture, clean energy, education, water and sanitation and disability sectors,” Barton added.

Participating in the event, the US Chargé d’Affaires Edgard Kagan said the United States and India have a long history of collaboration in the development sector, including working together on cutting-edge research and building partnerships that promote science and technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship.

He said the initial investment by the US and Indian governments of USD 7.7 million each has unlocked significant amounts and further investments by other partners.

“That reflects the fact that people realise that we are all better when we are together,” Kagan said.

City Air News | Aug 18, 2020

FIA Global gets millennium alliance award

News Patrolling | Aug 18, 2020

FIA Global gets Millennium Alliance award

FIA Global, a leading fintech company in digital payment and distribution systems for the last-mile financial inclusion in Indian and Nepal, today announced that it is starting fintech operations in Bangladesh.

The official announcement came during the prestigious Millennium Alliance awards, where FIA Global was among the awardees.

With the grant, FIA Global plans to expand its global business and set up operations in Bangladesh and support innovations that deliver maximum development impact for the bottom of the pyramid

Speaking about receiving the recognition, Seema Prem, Co-Founder and CEO, FIA Global, said, “We are honored to receive this recognition for the second time. Millennium Alliance is a great enabler of the start-up ecosystem. With this grant, we will be able to expand our global presence. We are delighted to enter Bangladesh and look forward to strengthening our presence in the South Asian market.

Congratulating FIA Global, Mr. Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General of FICCI said “Millennium Alliance is a great platform for budding entrepreneurs, and we are happy to support FIA Global again in this endeavor.”

The Economic Times | Aug 18, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up startups

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a webinar -- 'Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards' organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said the last six years have been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

"Today, we support 150 technology business incubators across the country -- many of them in universities, IITs. There are around 4,000 start-ups in these incubators. We want to scale them up," he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system. The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said."We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up," Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

"In the past six months, we witnessed dynamic Indian innovators and start-ups rise to the occasion to develop new technologies/solutions across a wide spectrum such as diagnostic, prevention, sanitisation, etc. in response to the pandemic," he added.

Live Mint | Aug 18, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up five times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up," Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilises its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

The Millennium Alliance is a consortium of partners (public-private partnership) including the Department of Science and Technology, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), UK Government's Department for International Development (DFID), Facebook and Marico Innovation Foundation.

The programme is currently running in its sixth year and has played a catalytic role in providing funding, capacity building and business development support to Indian social enterprises.

The Millennium Alliance Initiative also announced the award of USD 3.6 million ( ₹26.25 Crore) to 49 aspiring Indian social entrepreneurs for their innovative solutions to address Indian and global development challenges.

Among them, 33 innovative solutions will focus on health, agriculture, clean energy, education, water and sanitation and disability.

Sir Philip Barton, British High Commissioner to India, stressed that now more than ever, the global community should come together to tackle the challenges faced by all.

Participating in the event, the US Chargé d'Affaires Edgard Kagan said the United States and India have a long history of collaboration in the development sector, including working together on cutting-edge research and building partnerships that promote science and technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship.

He said the initial investment by the US and Indian governments of USD 7.7 million each has unlocked significant amounts and further investments by other partners.

"That reflects the fact that people realise that we are all better when we are together," Kagan said.

NDTV | Aug 18, 2020

Depertment of Science and Technology to launch programme to scale up Start-ups

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday. Speaking at a webinar -- 'Millennium Alliance Round 6 and COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards' organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said the last six years have been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem. The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, Mr Sharma said.

Mr. Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system. The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Mr Ashutosh Sharma said.

The secretary said science, technology and research will play a significant role in the fight against COVID-19 globally with innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists and global companies modifying and adapting existing technologies as well as developing new ones across various industries in response to the pandemic. In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

The Tribune | Aug 18, 2020

Department of Science and Technology to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a webinar, ‘Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards’, organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said the last six years had been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

“Today, we support 150 technology business incubators across the country — many of them in universities, IITs. There are around 4,000 start-ups in these incubators. We want to scale them up,” he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it would be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

The secretary said science, technology and research would play a significant role in the fight against COVID-19 globally with innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists and global companies modifying and adapting existing technologies as well as developing new ones across various industries in response to the pandemic.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head-on, Sharma stressed.

The Tribune | Aug 18, 2020

Department of Science and Technology to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it would be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head-on, Sharma stressed.

The Tribune | Aug 18, 2020

Department of Science and Technology to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it would be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head-on, Sharma stressed.

The Tribune | Aug 18, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up start-ups

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a webinar - 'Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards' organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said past six years have been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem.

The DST established more incubators in the past six years than in the previous 60 years, he said. “Today, we support 150 technology business incubators across the country -many of them in universities, IITs. There are around 4,000 start-ups in these incubators. We want to scale them up,” he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

The Millennium Alliance is a consortium of partners (public-private partnership) including the Department of Science and Technology, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), UK Government's Department for International Development (DFID), Facebook and Marico Innovation Foundation.

The programme is currently running in its sixth year and has played a catalytic role in providing funding, capacity building and business development support to Indian social enterprises. The Millennium Alliance Initiative also announced the award of $3.6 million (Rs 26.25 crore) to 49 aspiring Indian social entrepreneurs for their innovative solutions to address Indian and global development challenges.

Among them, 33 innovative solutions will focus on health, agriculture, clean energy, education, water and sanitation and disability.

Outlook | Aug 18, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a webinar -- ''Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards'' organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said the last six years have been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

The Week | Aug 18, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up start-ups Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

India Education Diary | Aug 18, 2020

Millennium Alliance Awards US$3.6 Million to 49 Social Innovations including 16 Innovations in response to COVID-19

The Millennium Alliance Initiative today held a ceremony to announce the award of US$ 3.6 million (₹26.25 Crore) to 49 aspiring Indian social entrepreneurs for their innovative solutions to address Indian and global development challenges. Among them, 33 innovative solutions will focus on health, agriculture, clean energy, education, water and sanitation and disability. This is the 6th round of awards made by the multilateral initiative since it was founded in 2012. The remaining 16 solutions will respond to the challenges posed by the current COVID-19 crisis in India and Africa/South Asia with support (up to US$1.3 Million) from the UK Government.

Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India stated, “The Millennium Alliance directly contributes towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty alleviation, hunger reduction, good health and well-being, quality education, clean water & sanitization, affordable and clean energy and partnerships. I hope the Millennium Alliance continues to contribute with positive socio-economic impact across the developing world. I congratulate all the partners, innovators and entrepreneurs who have been part of this journey and wish the initiative all the success to move from strength to strength.”

Congratulating the winners, the U.S. Charge d’affaires Edgard Kagan said, “The United States and India have a long history of collaboration in the development sector, including working together on cutting-edge research and building partnerships that promote science and technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship. We are honored to recognize the hard work and dedication of the 49 enterprises receiving the grant, who are addressing some of India’s most challenging development issues, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Sir Philip Barton, British High Commissioner to India said, “I am delighted to join the Millennium Alliance Awards ceremony today. Now more than ever, the global community should come together to tackle the challenges that face us all. The Millennium Alliance Awards recognize the creativity of innovators in providing solutions to the current COVID-19 crisis. As a joint force for good, the UK-India are working together to address global development challenges across health, agriculture, clean energy, education, water & sanitation and disability sectors. The Millennium Alliance demonstrates our joint determination to ‘build back better’ from this crisis.”

Mr Ajai Chowdhry, Founder, HCL and Chairman, FICCI Start-up Committee stated, “The Millennium Alliance is a unique partnership that brings together global partners for achieving a common objective of fostering social innovation. The enterprises awarded under the program are playing an important role in providing service delivery of affordable solutions at the last mile. The Alliance supports technology and innovation development taking India on a path of self-reliance.”

Established in 2012, the Millennium Alliance (MA) is a partnership between the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; US Agency for International Development (USAID); UK Government, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Facebook and the Marico Innovation Foundation.

Since its inception, the MA has received and evaluated more than 8,000 applications and has funded 173 Indian innovations with a funding of US$ 15 Million. Besides funding, the platform provides capacity building, mentoring, and networking support to the portfolio enterprises which plays a significant role in scaling up these innovations.

The MA-supported entrepreneurs have been able to forge more than 262 partnerships implemented in 24 states and 97 districts across India. These enterprises have been able to generate over 138,000 jobs touching 7 million lives. The MA enterprises have been able to raise 5.44 times more funds on their own after receiving the initial funding by the MA. Several MA awardees have extended their reach and impact to Africa and South Asia including in Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Today News | Aug 18, 2020

Department of Science and Technology to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that may assist scale up start-ups within the nation, a senior official stated on Tuesday.

Speaking at a webinar, ‘Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards’, organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma stated the final six years had been distinctive for the innovation ecosystem.

The DST established extra incubators within the final six years than within the earlier 60 years, he stated.

Sharma added that within the coming months, the DST can be launching a brand new programme and it might be a extremely distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 instances the present quantity within the subsequent 5 years, the secretary stated.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma stated.

The secretary stated science, know-how and analysis would play a big position within the combat towards COVID-19 globally with innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists and international corporations modifying and adapting present applied sciences in addition to growing new ones throughout varied industries in response to the pandemic.

In such instances, it’s important that India utilise its sources and experience to the utmost potential to have the ability to deal with this head-on, Sharma confused.

Devdiscourse | Aug 18, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday. Speaking at a webinar -- 'Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards' organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said the last six years have been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem. The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

“Today, we support 150 technology business incubators across the country -- many of them in universities, IITs. There are around 4,000 start-ups in these incubators. We want to scale them up,” he said. Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system. The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said. “We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said. The secretary said science, technology and research will play a significant role in the fight against COVID-19 globally with innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists and global companies modifying and adapting existing technologies as well as developing new ones across various industries in response to the pandemic. In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

Yahoo News | Aug 18, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday. Speaking at a webinar -- 'Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards' organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said the last six years have been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

Early Posts | Aug 18, 2020

Department of Science and Technology to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it would be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head-on, Sharma stressed.

Metro Vaartha | Aug 18, 2020

DST to launch programme to scale up start-ups: Secy

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working to launch a programme that will help scale up start-ups in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday. Speaking at a webinar -- 'Millennium Alliance Round 6 & COVID-19 Innovation Challenge Awards' organised by the FICCI, DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said the last six years have been exceptional for the innovation ecosystem.

The DST established more incubators in the last six years than in the previous 60 years, he said.

Sharma added that in the coming months, the DST would be launching a new programme and it will be a highly distributed innovation system.

The DST plans to scale it up 5 times the current number in the next five years, the secretary said.

“We are working to start a Programme on Entrepreneurship and Start-up,” Sharma said.

In such times, it is essential that India utilise its resources and expertise to the maximum potential to be able to tackle this head on, Sharma stressed.

Info BRICS | Jul 31, 2020

India, Russia to Fund Joint R&D in Renewable Energy

India and Russia have launched a joint technology development and commercialization programme in various areas, including renewable energy and new materials.

The programme has been launched by India’s Department of Science & Technology, in partnership with the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation. On behalf of DST, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will implement the programme in India.

The programme will fund sustainable joint technology ventures for market-ready technology-based solutions, products, and services, with the potential to scale in India, Russia, and other countries.

The selected projects will have at least one SME from Russia and one SME/startup from India.

Projects are being sought in areas of renewable energy and new materials, in addition to IT and ICT, medicine and pharmaceuticals, aerospace, alternative technologies, environment, biotechnologies, robotics, and drones.

The programme comprises two annual cycles with five projects to be funded under each program cycle. For each yearly cycle of the program, total funding of up to INR 7.5 crore will be made available to the Indian entrepreneurs with up to INR 1.5 crore committed to each of the top five projects shortlisted.

Thus, over two years, the DST will provide funding of up to Rs 15 crore to ten Indian SMEs/start-ups, with FASIE providing similar funding to the Russian partners.

In India, the maximum funding per project would be INR 15 million, and the applicant must co-finance 50% of the amount requested from the DST.

In Russia, the maximum funding per project would be RUB 15 million, and the applicant must co-finance 30% of the amount requested from FASIE.

India Education Diary | Jul 30, 2020

Importance of knowledge sharing cannot be overlooked: Prof Mohd Faizul Bin Mohd Sabri

Prof Mohd Faizul Bin Mohd Sabri, President, Malaysian Thermoelectric Society, yesterday said, “Knowledge sharing is important not only among the students but also at faculty level to strengthen research collaborations across the boundaries.”

Speaking at the three-day International Workshop on ‘Energy Technology and Sensor Systems’, organized by FICCI, jointly with the Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kancheepuram, University of Malaya and Malaysian Thermoelectric Society (MTeS), Prof Sabri further emphasized on intensifying India, ASEAN member states collaborative research in S&T and innovation.

Prof Dr Saad Mekhilef, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, said, “A larger number of Malaysian students are getting benefitted through the exchange programs than any other ASEAN countries.” He expressed confidence over increased research collaborations in more research fields.

Prof Banshidhar Majhi, Director, IIITDM Kancheepuram, said, “The research partnerships occurring between UM and IIITDM through FICCI has inspired the researchers to overcome the challenges posed by the present pandemic situation.”

Dr Mohd Faiz Mohd Salleh, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UM, said, “These platforms provide a boost to the research collaborations amongst Indian and ASEAN institutes/universities.”

The workshop had 400 active participants from more than 10 countries. The interactive workshop expanded over 3 days, consisting of 12 lectures with the eminent speakers for university Malaya, UniversitiTun Hussein Onn Malaysia, IIITDM Kancheepuram, and National Institute of Technology Trichy, India.

PV Magazine | Jul 27, 2020

India, Russia to fund joint R&D in renewable energy

India and Russia have launched a joint technology development and commercialization programme in various areas, including renewable energy and new materials.

The programme will fund sustainable joint technology ventures for market-ready technology-based solutions, products, and services, with the potential to scale in India, Russia, and other countries.

The selected projects will have at least one SME from Russia and one SME/startup from India.

Funding

Thus, over two years, the DST will provide funding of up to Rs 15 crore to ten Indian SMEs/start-ups, with FASIE providing similar funding to the Russian partners.

In India, the maximum funding per project would be INR 15 million, and the applicant must co-finance 50% of the amount requested from the DST.

In Russia, the maximum funding per project would be RUB 15 million, and the applicant must co-finance 30% of the amount requested from FASIE.

Timeline

The programme is accepting applications under two broad categories, joint partnership projects and technology transfer/adaptation. The last date to apply for the first round of the call is September 30, 2020.

India Daily Mail | Jul 26, 2020

DST launches Rs 15-cr fund to support India-Russia Joint R&D for Tech Development

The Department of Science and Technology has launched the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme that will connect Indian and Russian science and technology (S&T) led SMEs and start-ups for joint R&D, a statement said on Friday. The programme has been jointly launched in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation.

“It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation,” the statement said.

The programme will run through two annual cycles with up to five projects to be funded under each cycle.

Projects are being sought on leading S&T focus areas, including but not limited to, IT & ICT, medicine and pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, aerospace, alternative technologies, environment, new materials, biotechnologies, robotics, and drones.

On behalf of DST, FICCI will implement the programme in India, the statement said.

“Over a period of two years, the Department of Science and Technology will fund up to Rs 15 crores to 10 Indian SMEs/start-ups and FASIE will provide similar funding to the Russian projects,” the statement added.

The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia.

Speaking at the launch of the programme on Thursday, Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation.

“The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries. This initiative is very timely, wherein we can leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow,” he said.

D B Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, said India has one of the largest start-up ecosystems in the world, and the number of unicorns is a testament to the tremendous talent the country possesses.

“S&T-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities of both countries and will be a key point on the agenda as President Putin visits India later this year. There is a history of scientific cooperation between the countries, and with this initiative; we take the next step of commercialisation,” Varma said.

Sergey Polyakov, General Director, FASIE, said he was well aware of the knowledge and expertise of India in the larger science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

“We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal,” Polyakov said.

Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI, said the launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme is a testimony to the commitments of both the countries to further strengthen the S&T cooperation.

Breaking tech News | Jul 25, 2020

DST launches Rs 15 crore fund to assistance India-Russia joint R&D for tech growth

The Department of Science and Technological know-how has introduced the India-Russia Joint Technologies Evaluation and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme that will join Indian and Russian science and technological innovation (S&T) led SMEs and get started-ups for joint R&D, a statement claimed on Friday. The programme has been jointly released in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Business (FICCI) and the Basis for Assistance to Modest Ground breaking Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation.

“It will hook up Indian, and Russian Science & Technological know-how (S&T) led SMEs and Get started-ups for joint R&D for technological know-how improvement and for cross-region know-how adaptation,” the assertion explained.

The programme will run through two yearly cycles with up to 5 initiatives to be funded less than each individual cycle.

Initiatives are staying sought on top S&T emphasis areas, which includes but not limited to, IT & ICT, drugs and prescribed drugs, renewable vitality, aerospace, option technologies, natural environment, new materials, biotechnologies, robotics, and drones.

On behalf of DST, FICCI will carry out the programme in India, the assertion stated.

“Above a time period of two a long time, the Department of Science and Technologies will fund up to Rs 15 crores to 10 Indian SMEs/start-ups and FASIE will deliver similar funding to the Russian tasks,” the statement added.

The programme will deliver obtain to partial general public funding for jointly picked jobs with the participation of at minimum one begin-up/SME from India and a person SME from Russia.

The chosen tasks will be required to bear partial funding as very well, possibly by very own cash or alternate sources of funding. In addition to the money aid, the teams will also be supported as a result of capacity setting up, mentorship and organization enhancement.

Talking at the launch of the programme on Thursday, Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Section of Science and Technology, explained India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation.

“The start of the India-Russia Joint Technologies Evaluation and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme is one more step in the direction of strengthening the Science, Know-how and Innovation ties among the two nations around the world. This initiative is pretty well timed, whereby we can leverage joint mental and fiscal means to establish systems that would give the alternatives for tomorrow,” he mentioned.

D B Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, explained India has one of the biggest start out-up ecosystems in the globe, and the quantity of unicorns is a testomony to the great expertise the country possesses.

“S&T-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities of the two countries and will be a vital issue on the agenda as President Putin visits India later on this calendar year. There is a record of scientific cooperation in between the international locations, and with this initiative we choose the following stage of commercialisation,” Varma claimed.

Sergey Polyakov, Typical Director, FASIE, said he was effectively informed of the information and know-how of India in the larger sized science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

“We hope the improvements and systems supported through this programme will help us confront and defeat the worries in this new standard,” Polyakov mentioned.

Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI, reported the launch of the India-Russia Joint Know-how Assessment and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme is a testimony to the commitments of the two the nations around the world to additional improve the S&T cooperation.

Current Affairs Funda | Jul 25, 2020

DST launches INR 15 Crore fund to support India-Russia collaboration joint R&D and cross-country technology adaptation

The Department of Science and Technology has launched the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation. The programme will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation.

Shri D.B. Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, said “India has one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world, the number of unicorns is testament to the tremendous talent the country possesses. S&T-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities of both countries and will be a key point on the agenda as President Putin visits India later this year.

The programme is accepting applications under two broad categories, i.e. Joint Partnership Projects and Technology Transfer/Adaptation. The last date to apply for the first round of the call is September 30, 2020. A dedicated portal www.indiarussiainnovate.org has been developed for this purpose.

Defence Capital | Jul 25, 2020

India, Russia join hands to fund development of cutting edge technologies

Taking their bilateral cooperation in science and technology to a new level, India and Russia have decided to fund joint development of cutting edge technologies in areas like Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy, Aerospace, Alternative Technologies, Environment, New Materials, Bio-technology, Robotics and Drones.

All this will be realised through the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme, launched on July 23. As per the plan, small and medium enterprises and startups of the two countries will be provided funds up to Rs 15 crore ($2 million) to work towards joint research and development of new technology and its cross-country adaptation.

Science- and technology-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priority areas for both the countries and will be a key point on the agenda of Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visits India later this year.

“There is a history of scientific cooperation between the countries, and with this initiative; we take the next step of commercialization,” India’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation D. B. Venkatesh Varma said.

“India has one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world, the number of unicorns is testament to the tremendous talent the country possesses.”

India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) has partnered with the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation to initially offer a grant of up to Rs 15 crore each to around 10 startups over the next two years. The teams will be selected through a competitive process.

In addition to financial support, the Research and Development teams will also be supported through capacity building, mentorship and business development.

Cooperation between the two countries in science and technology has existed for decades and has resulted in knowledge generation, proto-type development and institution build up.

However, there was a need to convert knowledge into products. The joint programme will fill this gap and connect Indian and Russian scientific production houses, researchers and entrepreneurs in addressing the challenges being faced by society not only in the two countries but globally.

For India’s Department of Science and Technology Secretary Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, the new initiative is very timely as it allows the country to “leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow.”

Officials said as per the project, a detailed matchmaking process will be implemented to create sustainable joint technology ventures for market-ready technology-based solutions, products and services; with the potential to scale in India, Russia as well as other countries.

The other benefits to the teams would include one-to-one mentoring by Indian and Russian experts, technology transfer guidance and hand holding support to the Indian entrepreneurs and an opportunity to showcase innovations at a technology expo attended by high-level government dignitaries and global industry leaders.

FASIE General Director Sergey Polyakov acknowledged Russia is aware of the knowledge and expertise India has in the field of science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, and noted that his country is happy to partner with the South Asian country. “We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will help us face and overcome the challenges in the new normal,” he said.

On behalf of DST, one of India’s leading business associations — the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) — will implement the programme in the country. FICCI Secretar General Dilip Chenoy expressed the hope that such collaborations would help both the countries move towards economic revival and sustainable growth.

Every News TV | Jul 25, 2020

DST launches Rs 15 crore fund to give a boost to India-Russia joint R&D for tech construction

The Department of Science and Technology has introduced the India-Russia Joint Generation Review and Sped up Commercialisation Programme that may attach Indian and Russian science and expertise (S&T) led SMEs and start-u.s.for joint R&D, a observation mentioned on Friday. The programme has been collectively introduced in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Trade and Business (FICCI) and the Basis for Help to Small Cutting edge Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation.

“It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation,” the observation mentioned.

The programme will run thru two annual cycles with as much as 5 tasks to be funded beneath each and every cycle.

Tasks are being sought on main S&T focal point spaces, together with however now not restricted to, IT & ICT, medication and prescribed drugs, renewable power, aerospace, selection applied sciences, surroundings, new fabrics, biotechnologies, robotics, and drones.

On behalf of DST, FICCI will put in force the programme in India, the observation mentioned.

The programme will supply get entry to to partial public investment for collectively decided on tasks with the participation of no less than one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia.

The chosen tasks can be required to endure partial investment as smartly, both thru personal budget or exchange resources of investment. Along with the monetary give a boost to, the groups can also be supported thru capability construction, mentorship and trade construction.

Talking on the release of the programme on Thursday, Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Division of Science and Generation, mentioned India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral medical cooperation.

D B Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, mentioned India has one of the crucial biggest start-up ecosystems on this planet, and the choice of unicorns is a testomony to the super skill the rustic possesses.

Sergey Polyakov, Normal Director, FASIE, mentioned he was once smartly conscious about the information and experience of India within the greater science, expertise, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

“We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal,” Polyakov mentioned.

Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI, mentioned the release of the India-Russia Joint Generation Review and Sped up Commercialisation Programme is an affidavit to the commitments of each the nations to additional enhance the S&T cooperation.

Gadgets Now | Jul 25, 2020

DST launches Rs 15 crore fund to support India-Russia joint R&D for tech development

"It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation," the statement said.

The programme will run through two annual cycles with up to five projects to be funded under each cycle.

On behalf of DST, FICCI will implement the programme in India, the statement said.

The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia.

Speaking at the launch of the programme on Thursday, Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation.

Sergey Polyakov, General Director, FASIE, said he was well aware of the knowledge and expertise of India in the larger science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

"We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal," Polyakov said.

Current Hunt | Jul 25, 2020

India-Russia joint technology assessment and accelerated commercialization program

Program connects Indian & Russian Science & Technology led SMEs and Start-ups

The Department of Science and Technology has launched the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Program
It is in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises FASIE) of the Russian Federation
The program will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for crosscountry technology adaptation

Significance of the Program

It is a history of scientific cooperation between the countries, and with this initiative
The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Program is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries
On behalf of DST, FICCI will implement the program in India
This initiative is very timely, wherein we can leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow
This initiative will create an ecosystem for Indian and Russian S&T-led SMEs and startups to come together to develop new technological solutions
The program will run through two annual cycles with up to five projects to be
funded under each cycle Projects are being sought on leading S&T focus areas, including but not limited to, IT & ICT (including AI, AR, VR), Medicine & Pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy, Aerospace, Alternative Technologies, Environment, New Materials, Biotechnologies, Robotics and Drones

Brief Background for the program

India has one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world; the number of unicorns is testament to the tremendous talent the country possesses
S&T-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities of both countries and will be a key point on the agenda as President Putin visits India later this year
There was a need to convert knowledge into products, and such a program would connect Indian and Russian scientific & production houses, researchers, entrepreneurs to address societal challenges, not only of two countries but globally
This initiative will create an ecosystem for Indian and Russian S&T-led SMEs and startups to come together to develop new technological solutions

Financial Support

Over a period of two years, the Department of Science and Technology will fund up to INR 15 ores to ten Indian SMEs or Start-ups and FASIE will provide similar funding to the Russian projects
The program will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up or SME from India and one SME from Russia
The selected projects will be required to bear partial funding as well, either through their own funds or alternate sources of funding
In addition to the financial support, the teams will also be supported through capacity building, mentorship and business development
The program is accepting applications under two broad categories, i.e. Joint Partnership Projects and Technology Transfer or Adaptation

Graspanything | Jul 25, 2020

DST launches fund of Rs. 15 crores; subsistence to India Russia collaboration

The Department of Science and Technology has launched the India Russia Joint technology assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises ( FASIE) of the Russian Federation . The program will affix Indian and Russian Science and Technology (S&T) led SMEs and start ups for technology development and for cross country technology adaptation.

Prof . Ashoutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India said that India and Russia have a long standing bilateral scientific cooperation, speaking at the launch on July 23, 2020. This launch will also act as a stepping stone towards invigorating the Science and Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries.

The program will run through two manual cycles with upto five projects to be funded under each cycle. Projects will work in different domains like medicine & pharmaceutical, renewable energy, aerospace etc. to mention a few.

There are two broad categories i.e. Joint Partnership Projects and Technology Transfer / Adaptation under which the programme is accepting applications. September 30 , 2020 is the last date to apply for the first round of the project.

An entirely devoted portal www.indiarussiainnovate.org has been developed for this affair.

Udaipur Kiran | Jul 25, 2020

DST launches Rs. 15 crore fund to support India-Russia collaboration joint R&D and cross-country technology adaptation

Speaking at the launch on July 23, 2020 here, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India said that India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation. The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries. This initiative is very timely, wherein we can leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow. He wished the programme a huge success.

Shri Sergey Polyakov, General Director, Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE), Russia said “We are extremely happy to launch the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme. We are aware of the knowledge and expertise of India in the larger science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems and our extremely happy to partner with India on this programme. We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will be help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal.”

Shri Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI stated “The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme today is a testimony of both country’s commitment to further strengthen the S&T cooperation. This initiative will create an ecosystem for Indian and Russian S&T-led SMEs and startups to come together to develop new technological solutions. We are glad to announce the launch of this programme as we are certain that collaborations such as these will help both countries move towards revival of the economies leading to sustainable growth.”

Shri SK Varshney, Adviser & Head, International Cooperation DST stated that both countries have been working for many decades in areas of science & technology cooperation resulting into knowledge generation, proto-type development and institution built up. There was a need to convert knowledge into products, and such a program would connect Indian and Russian scientific & production houses, researchers, entrepreneurs to address societal challenges, not only of two countries but globally.

The programme will run through two annual cycles with up to five projects to be funded under each cycle. Projects are being sought on leading S&T focus areas, including but not limited to, IT & ICT (including AI, AR, VR), Medicine & Pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy, Aerospace, Alternative Technologies, Environment, New Materials, Biotechnologies, Robotics and Drones. On behalf of DST, FICCI will implement the program in India.

Over a period of two years, the Department of Science and Technology will fund up to INR 15 Crores to ten Indian SMEs/Start-ups and FASIE will provide similar funding to the Russian projects. The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia. The selected projects will be required to bear partial funding as well, either through own funds or alternate sources of funding. In addition to the financial support, the teams will also be supported through capacity building, mentorship and business development.

Latest LY | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches Rs 15-cr fund to support India-Russia Collaboration Joint R&D for Tech Development

News 20-20 | Jul 24, 2020

India-Russia collaboration in R&D launched

Speaking at the launch on Thursday, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said that India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation. The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries.

DB Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, said “India has one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world, the number of unicorns is testament to the tremendous talent the country possesses. S&T-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities of both countries and will be a key point on the agenda as President Putin visits India later this year. There is a history of scientific cooperation between the countries, and with this initiative; we take the next step of commercialization.”

Sergey Polyakov, General Director, Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE), Russia said “We are extremely happy to launch the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme. We are aware of the knowledge and expertise of India in the larger science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems and our extremely happy to partner with India on this programme. We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will be help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal.”

Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI stated “The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme today is a testimony of both country’s commitment to further strengthen the S&T cooperation. This initiative will create an ecosystem for Indian and Russian S&T-led SMEs and startups to come together to develop new technological solutions. We are glad to announce the launch of this programme as we are certain that collaborations such as these will help both countries move towards revival of the economies leading to sustainable growth.”

SK Varshney, Adviser & Head, International Cooperation DST stated that both countries have been working for many decades in areas of science & technology cooperation resulting into knowledge generation, proto-type development and institution built up. There was a need to convert knowledge into products, and such a program would connect Indian and Russian scientific & production houses, researchers, entrepreneurs to address societal challenges, not only of two countries but globally.

ET Now | Jul 24, 2020

India, Russia set up Rs 15 crore fund to boost partnership between sci-tech SMEs, start-ups

The Department of Science and Technology has launched the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation. The programme will connect Indian, and Russian science & technology (S&T) led SMEs and start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation.

Speaking at the launch on July 23, 2020 here, Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India said that India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation. The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries. This initiative is very timely, wherein we can leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow. He wished the programme a huge success.

Dilip Chenoy, Secretary-General, FICCI stated “The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme today is a testimony of both country's commitment to further strengthen the S&T cooperation. This initiative will create an ecosystem for Indian and Russian S&T-led SMEs and startups to come together to develop new technological solutions. We are glad to announce the launch of this programme as we are certain that collaborations such as these will help both countries move towards revival of the economies leading to sustainable growth.”

The programme is accepting applications under two broad categories, i.e. Joint Partnership Projects and Technology Transfer, adaptation. The last date to apply for the first round of the call is September 30, 2020. A dedicated portal www.indiarussiainnovate.org has been developed for this purpose.

DD News | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches Rs. 15 crore fund to support India-Russia collaboration joint R&D and cross-country tech adaptation

The programme will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation.

The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries. This initiative is very timely, wherein we can leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow. He wished the programme a huge success.

D.B. Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, said “India has one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world, the number of unicorns is testament to the tremendous talent the country possesses. S&T-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities of both countries and will be a key point on the agenda as President Putin visits India later this year.

There is a history of scientific cooperation between the countries, and with this initiative; we take the next step of commercialization.”

Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI stated “The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme today is a testimony of both country's commitment to further strengthen the S&T cooperation. This initiative will create an ecosystem for Indian and Russian S&T-led SMEs and startups to come together to develop new technological solutions. We are glad to announce the launch of this programme as we are certain that collaborations such as these will help both countries move towards revival of the economies leading to sustainable growth.”

Over a period of two years, the Department of Science and Technology will fund up to INR 15 Crores to ten Indian SMEs/Start-ups and FASIE will provide similar funding to the Russian projects.

The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia. The selected projects will be required to bear partial funding as well, either through own funds or alternate sources of funding. In addition to the financial support, the teams will also be supported through capacity building, mentorship and business development.

Outlook | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches Rs 15-cr fund to support India-Russia collaboration joint R&D for tech development

The programme has been jointly launched in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation.

"It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation," the statement said.

The programme will run through two annual cycles with up to five projects to be funded under each cycle.

On behalf of DST, FICCI will implement the programme in India, the statement said.

The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia.

Speaking at the launch of the programme on Thursday, Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation.

Sergey Polyakov, General Director, FASIE, said he was well aware of the knowledge and expertise of India in the larger science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

"We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal," Polyakov said.

Yahoo News | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches Rs 15-cr fund to support India-Russia collaboration joint R&D for tech development

'It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation,' the statement said.

The programme will run through two annual cycles with up to five projects to be funded under each cycle.

On behalf of DST, FICCI will implement the programme in India, the statement said.

'Over a period of two years, the Department of Science and Technology will fund up to Rs 15 crores to 10 Indian SMEs/start-ups and FASIE will provide similar funding to the Russian projects,' the statement added.

The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia.

Speaking at the launch of the programme on Thursday, Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation.

'The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries. This initiative is very timely, wherein we can leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow,' he said.

'S&T-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities of both countries and will be a key point on the agenda as President Putin visits India later this year. There is a history of scientific cooperation between the countries, and with this initiative; we take the next step of commercialisation,' Varma said.

Sergey Polyakov, General Director, FASIE, said he was well aware of the knowledge and expertise of India in the larger science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

'We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal,' Polyakov said.

Bio Spectrum | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches Rs 15 Cr fund to support joint R&D with Russia

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of the Russian Federation.

The programme will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation.

Over a period of two years, the Department of Science and Technology will fund up to Rs 15 Crores to ten Indian SMEs/Start-ups and FASIE will provide similar funding to the Russian projects.

The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia.

SME Street | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches INR 15 crore fund to support India-Russia Joint R&D

The News Strike | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches INR 15 crore fund to support India-Russia Collaboration Joint R&D and cross-country technology adaptation

India Education Diary | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches INR 15 Crore fund to support India-Russia collaboration joint R&D and cross-country technology adaptation

My News 24x7 | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches India-Russia collaboration joint R&D for technology development

Speaking at the launch on July 23, 2020, here, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India said that India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation. The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries. This initiative is very timely, wherein we can leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow. He wished the programme a huge success.

Shri Sergey Polyakov, General Director, Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE), Russia said “We are extremely happy to launch the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme. We are aware of the knowledge and expertise of India in the larger science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems and our extremely happy to partner with India on this programme. We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal.”

Shri Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI stated “The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme today is a testimony of both country’s commitment to further strengthen the S&T cooperation. This initiative will create an ecosystem for Indian and Russian S&T-led SMEs and startups to come together to develop new technological solutions. We are glad to announce the launch of this programme as we are certain that collaborations such as these will help both countries move towards the revival of the economies leading to sustainable growth.”

Over a period of two years, the Department of Science and Technology will fund up to INR 15 Crores to ten Indian SMEs/Start-ups and FASIE will provide similar funding to the Russian projects. The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia. The selected projects will be required to bear partial funding as well, either through their own funds or alternate sources of funding. In addition to the financial support, the teams will also be supported through capacity building, mentorship and business development.

Devdiscourse | Jul 24, 2020

DST launches Rs 15-cr fund to support India-Russia collaboration joint R&D for tech development

"It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D for technology development and for cross-country technology adaptation," the statement said. The programme will run through two annual cycles with up to five projects to be funded under each cycle.

"Over a period of two years, the Department of Science and Technology will fund up to Rs 15 crores to 10 Indian SMEs/start-ups and FASIE will provide similar funding to the Russian projects," the statement added. The programme will provide access to partial public funding for jointly selected projects with the participation of at least one start-up/SME from India and one SME from Russia.

The selected projects will be required to bear partial funding as well, either through own funds or alternate sources of funding. In addition to the financial support, the teams will also be supported through capacity building, mentorship and business development. Speaking at the launch of the programme on Thursday, Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said India and Russia have a long-standing bilateral scientific cooperation.

"The launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme is another step towards strengthening the Science, Technology and Innovation ties between the two countries. This initiative is very timely, wherein we can leverage joint intellectual and financial resources to develop technologies that would provide the solutions for tomorrow," he said. D B Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, said India has one of the largest start-up ecosystems in the world, and the number of unicorns is a testament to the tremendous talent the country possesses.

"S&T-led innovation and entrepreneurship are priorities of both countries and will be a key point on the agenda as President Putin visits India later this year. There is a history of scientific cooperation between the countries, and with this initiative; we take the next step of commercialisation," Varma said. Sergey Polyakov, General Director, FASIE, said he was well aware of the knowledge and expertise of India in the larger science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

"We hope the innovations and technologies supported through this programme will help us face and overcome the challenges in this new normal," Polyakov said. Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI, said the launch of the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialisation Programme is a testimony to the commitments of both the countries to further strengthen the S&T cooperation.

KNN | Jul 18, 2019

Govt plans matching grant to industry-supported startups: DST Secretary

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India may soon take a decision on providing matching grant to successful start-up in a month or two, said a senior official from the department.

Addressing the Awards Ceremony - India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) 2.0, Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST, said that if a company partners with a startup, then the DST will also partner with it and extend a matching grant to help it scale up.

"If industry is partnering with a startup putting an x amount of money, depending on the plans and other things, then DST will also partner and probably would put a matching amount of money in that startup," he said, adding the challenge for startups is to scale up and transition into stable businesses.

The government is coming up with startup centres worth Rs 150 crore each to help the startups access the resources, especially hardware, he said. Three centres will be launched this year, followed by 3-4 centres per year, thus creating a total of 20 such centres, he added.

The India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) 2.0, a tripartite initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, Lockheed Martin and Tata Trusts today named the winners of the 2019 edition of the annual IIGP 2.0. The winners were chosen from over 2,400 applicants who presented innovations that aim to bring large scale social impact and industrial transformation in India.

16 start-ups from the annual Open Innovation Challenge and 20 university teams from the University Challenge each received grants of INR 25 Lakh and INR 10 Lakh respectively to enable the evolution and maturation of their technology solutions proposals.

Prof. Sharma further urged FICCI to scale up the IIGP by doubling the size of the programme, which awarded 20 University Challenge winners and 16 Open Innovation Challenge winners this year.

Vigyan Prasar | Jul 18, 2019

Promising tech startups get grants worth Rupees 6 crore

Sixteen promising startups and 20 teams of university students have been given grants totaling Rupees six crore by the India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) – a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Lockheed Martin and Tata Trusts.

The winners were chosen from over 2400 applicants who presented innovations that aim to bring large scale social impact and industrial transformation in the country. Each startup awardee gets a grant of Rs 25 lakh, while university teams get Rs 10 lakh each to further develop and mature technology solutions proposed by them.

“We have thoroughly planned how to go ahead from start up to scale up. If a company partners with a startup, then DST will also partner with it and extend a matching grant to help it scale up,” announced DST secretary Prof. Ashutosh Sharma while speaking at India Innovation Growth Program 2.0 award function.

Prof Sharma urged that the number of participant participating this year should be doubled next year. The government is coming up with startup centres worth Rs 150 crore each to help startups access resources, especially hardware. Three centres will be launched this year and the number of such centres will be scaled up gradually to 20.

The innovation award scheme is being implemented by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

Smart stethoscope for early diagnosis of lung and heart diseases is of the innovations awarded under the Open Innovation Challenge category. “We have attached a smart device to normal stethoscope. This this will help diagnose heart and lung diseases in early stages. The device is attached with an app to record the heart and lung sounds and it can pick up abnormalities that can help in early diagnosis. It is so simple that health workers can use it,” explained Adarasha K of IIT Bombay co-founder of Ayu Devices while speaking with India Science Wire. It is being used by health workers in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Siddhant Dangi and Ujjawal Kumar Jha from BITS Pilani have used Brain Computer Interface (BCI) to develop prosthetic arms that can operate with ‘mind signals’.

Other winning teams come from Siddaganga Institute of Technology, IIT-Madras, IIT-Bhilai, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Kanpur, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ACSIR), Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Science, SRS, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Chitkara University, BITS Pilani, SKUAST Kashmir and Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology.

The winners in the ‘Open Innovation Challenge’ category are Astrogate Labs, Ayu Devices, BeAble Health, BiolMed Innovations, BNG Spray Solutions, C Electric Automotive Drives, CogniABle, CyCa Oncosolutions, Kanpur Flowercycling, Nubewell Networks, Ossus Biorenewables, Tan90 Thermal Solution, Terero Mobility, Unbox Robotics, Varta Labs and Vidcare Innovations. NoPo Nano Technologies, Sastra Technologies and Terero Mobility have signed MoUs with Lockheed Martin for helping them scale-up.

Eastern Mirror | Jul 18, 2019

Promising tech startups get grants worth Rupees six crore

“We have thoroughly planned how to go ahead from start up to scale up. If a company partners with a startup, then DST will also partner with it and extend a matching grant to help it scale up,” announced DST secretary Prof. Ashutosh Sharmawhile speaking at India Innovation Growth Program 2.0 award function.

Smart stethoscope for early diagnosis of lung and heart diseases is of the innovations awarded under the Open Innovation Challenge category. “We have attached a smart device to normal stethoscope. This this will help diagnose heart and lung diseases in early stages. The device is attached with an app to record the heart and lung sounds and it can pick up abnormalities that can help in early diagnosis. It is so simple that health workers can use it,”explained Adarasha K of IIT Bombay co-founder of Ayu Devices while speaking with India Science Wire. It is being used by health workers in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

SiddhantDangi and Ujjawal Kumar Jha from BITS Pilani have used Brain Computer Interface (BCI) to develop prosthetic arms that can operate with ‘mind signals’.

The winners in the ‘Open Innovation Challenge’ categoryareAstrogate Labs, Ayu Devices, BeAble Health, BiolMed Innovations, BNG Spray Solutions, C Electric Automotive Drives, CogniABle, CyCaOncosolutions, Kanpur Flowercycling, Nubewell Networks, OssusBiorenewables, Tan90 Thermal Solution, Terero Mobility, Unbox Robotics, Varta Labs and Vidcare Innovations. NoPo Nano Technologies, Sastra Technologies and Terero Mobility have signed MoUs with Lockheed Martin for helping them scale-up.

Research Stash | Jul 18, 2019

Promising tech startups get grants worth Rupees 6 Crore

“We have thoroughly planned how to go ahead from start-up to scale up. If a company partner with a startup, then DST will also partner with it and extend a matching grant to help it scale up,” announced DST secretary Prof. Ashutosh Sharma while speaking at India Innovation Growth Program 2.0 award function.

Prof Sharma urged that the number of participants participating this year should be doubled next year. The government is coming up with startup centers worth Rs 150 crore each to help startups access resources, especially hardware. Three centers will be launched this year and the number of such centers will be scaled up gradually to 20.

Smart stethoscope for early diagnosis of lung and heart diseases is of the innovations awarded under the Open Innovation Challenge category. “We have attached a smart device to a normal stethoscope. This will help diagnose heart and lung diseases in early stages. The device is attached with an app to record the heart and lung sounds and it can pick up abnormalities that can help in early diagnosis. It is so simple that health workers can use it,” explained Adarasha K of IIT Bombay co-founder of Ayu Devices while speaking with India Science Wire. It is being used by health workers in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Siddhant Dangi and Ujjawal Kumar Jha from BITS Pilani have used Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) to develop prosthetic arms that can operate with ‘mind signals’.

The winners in the ‘Open Innovation Challenge’ category are Astrogate Labs, Ayu Devices, BeAble Health, BioMed Innovations, BNG Spray Solutions, C Electric Automotive Drives, CogniABle, CyCa Oncosolutions, Kanpur Flowercycling, Nubewell Networks, Ossus Biorenewables, Tan90 Thermal Solution, Terero Mobility, Unbox Robotics, Varta Labs and Vidcare Innovations. NoPo Nano Technologies, Sastra Technologies, and Terero Mobility have signed MoUs with Lockheed Martin for helping them scale-up.

News Services Division | Jul 17, 2019

IIGP should aim at doubling number of awardees : Ashutosh Sharma

Ashutosh Sharma said. He was speaking on the occasion of the award distribution ceremony of India Innovation Growth Programme held today. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sharma said that the IIGP should aim at doubling the number of awardees by next year.

The India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 is a unique tripartite initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, Lockheed Martin and Tata Trust.

Supporting the Government of India’s missions of “ Start Up India” and “ Make in India” , IIGP 2.0 enhances the Indian innovation ecosystem by enabling innovators and entrepreneurs through the stages of ideation, innovation and acceleration, to develop technology- based solutions for tomorrow.

SME Times | Jul 17, 2019

Govt plans matching grant to industry-supported startups: Official

Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India on Wednesday said that if a company partners with a startup, then the DST will also partner with it and extend a matching grant to help it scale up.

Speaking at the 'Awards Ceremony - India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) 2.0',Prof. Sharma said that the department may take the decision on providing a matching grant to the successful startup in a month or two.

The winners were chosen from over 2,400 applicants who presented innovations that aim to bring large scale social impact and industrial transformation in India.

Sharma further urged FICCI to scale up the IIGP by doubling the size of the programme, which awarded 20 University Challenge winners and 16 Open Innovation Challenge winners this year.

The innovations identified for award this year were evaluated by a panel of jurors which include IIGP 2.0 stakeholders and implementation partners as well as external experts from the innovation, science, technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Implementation partners include the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

The applicants, which came from across the nation as well as a range of educational institutions, offered a breadth and variety of excellent innovations to evaluate. They also join a cohort of over 7000 applicants from the past three years of IIGP 2.0 in submitting innovations for consideration by the IIGP 2.0 Panel of Jurors.

Phil Shaw, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin in India said, "The talent pool and potential for positive change through technology in India, from India, for India and the world, is immense as we witnessed this year during the judging process."

Manoj Kumar, Head, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Tata Trusts & CEO, Social Alpha said, "Through the India Innovation Growth Programme, we continue to build on Tata Trusts' legacy of promoting science and technology innovations in India to create a positive impact on society."

The purpose of IIGP 2.0 is to encourage, identify, support and incubate the technology solutions devised by ingenious local start-ups and university teams that seek to solve complex challenges.

The Hindu | Jun 19, 2019

Cohort programme evokes good response

The second phase of the global accelerator and incubator programme launched by the AP Innovation Society in the city has evoked a good response from startups of Andhra Pradesh in general and north Andhra in particular.

The cohort programme involves a rigorous scrutiny process. The project, named XLr8AP, is being implemented by APIS in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and IC2 Institute of University of Texas at Austin.

Incidentally, this is the first cohort programme launched at the Sunrise Incubation Tower at IT Special Economic Zone, Madhurawada on Tuesday after XLr8AP was shifted from Tirupati to Visakhapatnam last year.

“We are very excited for getting expert handholding and mentorship through this initiative. In fact, it’s a dream come true for someone hailing from backward Srikakulam district,” Chaduvula Prasanth, who through the startup HelloTeen, aims to develop a real-time location-based app for benefiting B2C and B2B meetings and transforming villages into smart ones.

“The overall response is phenomenal. The encouraging factor this time is the selection of large number of teams from A.P., including many from north Andhra,” APIS CEO Winny Patro told The Hindu on Wednesday. XLr8AP has now the advantage of a world-class industrial ecosystem after its relocation to Visakhapatnam. Multi-faceted initiative

It is is a multi-faceted initiative which includes training, advanced capacity building for innovators and entrepreneurs, incubation and acceleration of tech companies into the global marketplace, mobilisation of venture capital and access to the extensive global commercial development networks of both FICCI and IC2.

It also gives startups direct exposure to the entrepreneurial culture of Austin, Texas through co-location in Austin to select qualifying companies who are looking to take their technology to the global marketplace.

In the first phase, (four cohorts), XLr8AP trained 132 startups. With the help of XLr8AP these firms were successful in creating over 1,000 new jobs and paid internships, allowing next-generation entrepreneurs to learn the process of high-impact by working with others to learn about societal and business challenges through innovation. In the process, they have produced over $3.4 million in incremental revenue with over 200 commercial deals currently in various stages of development. In all, 15 startups were selected for the cohort programme.

India Education Diary | Apr 25, 2019

Mahindra Ecole Centrale (MEC) organizes its annual “Centrale Connect Conclave”

Mahindra Ecole Centrale (MEC) College of Engineering, Hyderabad organized its annual Centrale Connect Conclave at the campus. The theme for this year’s Centrale Connect was ‘Perspective and Perception’.

Perspective is an individual’s understanding of an event, an activity, an idea and a concept and changes from person to person. Collaboration can help connect to different perspectives to create alternatives to a single acceptable reality. This also leads to innovation by looking at things, concepts, ideas, differently, encouraging an enhanced “way of seeing”. Perspectives define human nature and progress comes from the coming together of different points of views.

The Centrale Connect Conclave 2019 witnessed eminent professionals, from both the industry and academia, on a single platform with the primary motive of encouraging students to broaden their perspectives on society, allowing them to use this knowledge while developing innovative solutions to real-life problems.

“Through Centrale Conclave, we aim to engage with this ‘alternative’ / ‘different” way of looking at and responding to things. Mahindra Ecole Centrale is happy to host a very high profile guest list which will deliberate on key perspectives like Perception towards Inclusion and Perception towards Life/Living. We expect to encourage our guests and audience to explore these aspects of the “real” world and understand their impact on individuals and organisations”, said Dr. Yajulu Medury, Director, Mahindra Ecole Centrale. He then invited Mr. Shashikumar Sreedharan, MD, Microsoft India, to speak on the impact of digital technology and AI, and how it has integrated into our lives today.

The first panel discussion talked about inclusion, be it economic, political or societal. Dr. Kannan Srinathan, Associate Pressure at IIIT, Hyderabad, focused on the effect of clarity of purpose and education on the theme. Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, Senior Advisor to FICCI BISNET,mentioned that education is important, and the infrastructure for it, even more so. Dr.SriniKaveri, the Director of the CNRS office in India, said that true inclusiveness is when no one is left behind in the wake of progress. Dr. Venkat Changavalli, Advisor to the Governments of Telangana and Haryana, described how good leadership is essential to making inclusive projects possible, but that the youth should not wait to join such ventures.

The second panel discussion focused on the ideals that form the basis of Indian society, and if it was time to rethink these. They focused on questions of success in the Indian context and landscape of engineering as profession in India. Dr. Vidyanand Jha, Professor at IIM Calcutta opened the discussion by saying that the idea of success varies from person to person and that engineering should be promoted as a profession instead of a stepping stone to other professions. Mr. Raju Venkat Narayan, VP of Simpsons and Co., said that success varies over time. In the beginning of one’s career, it is about money but things invariably change. Ms. Namrata Rana, Director of Futures cape, said that in order to build, an engineer must have a breadth of knowledge now, and to build things with enduring value is a measure of their success. Ms. Jayati Dwivedi, Head of Recruitment at British Telecom, strongly stated that depth of work and passion is the key to success, and to achieve this, engineers should focus on the “now” and build their skills while they can.

The Hans India | Apr 25, 2019

Industrialists, academia come together

Mahindra Ecole Centrale (MEC) College of Engineering, Hyderabad organised its annual Centrale Connect Conclave at the campus. The theme for this year's Centrale Connect was 'Perspective and Perception'.

Perspective is an individual's understanding of an event, an activity, an idea and a concept and changes from person to person. Collaboration can help connect to different perspectives to create alternatives to a single acceptable reality. This also leads to innovation by looking at things, concepts, ideas, differently, encouraging an enhanced "way of seeing". Perspectives define human nature and progress comes from the coming together of different points of views.

"Through Centrale Conclave, we aim to engage with this 'alternative' / 'different" way of looking at and responding to things. Mahindra Ecole Centrale is happy to host a very high profile guest list which will deliberate on key perspectives like Perception towards Inclusion and Perception towards Life/Living. We expect to encourage our guests and audience to explore these aspects of the "real" world and understand their impact on individuals and organisations", said Dr. Yajulu Medury, Director, Mahindra Ecole Centrale. He then invited Shashikumar Sreedharan, MD, Microsoft India, to speak on the impact of digital technology and AI, and how it has integrated into our lives today.

The first panel discussion talked about inclusion, be it economic, political or societal. Dr Kannan Srinathan, Associate Pressure at IIIT, Hyderabad, focused on the effect of clarity of purpose and education on the theme. Dr Nikhil Agarwal, Senior Advisor to FICCI BISNET, mentioned that education is important, and the infrastructure for it, even more so.

Dr Srini Kaveri, the Director of the CNRS office in India, said that true inclusiveness is when no one is left behind in the wake of progress. Dr Venkat Changavalli, Advisor to the governments of Telangana and Haryana, described how good leadership is essential to making inclusive projects possible, but that the youth should not wait to join such ventures.

Raju Venkat Narayan, VP of Simpsons and Co., said that success varies over time. In the beginning of one's career, it is about money but things invariably change. Namrata Rana, Director of Futures cape, said that in order to build, an engineer must have a breadth of knowledge now, and to build things with enduring value is a measure of their success.

The Hindu | Feb 20, 2019

'Xlr8AP' acceleration programme launched

As part of strategic alliance between Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the State government, the second phase of flagship global accelerator and incubation programme ‘Xlr8AP’ was launched at the Sunrise Incubation Tower, here on Tuesday.

With the launch, the Xlr8AP, which was earlier located at Tirupati, will now function from Visakhapatnam. It is a joint venture programme between the A.P. Innovation Society, FICCI and IC2 of University of Texas at Austin. Space for the programme has been allotted in the Sunrise Incubation Tower at Rushikonda.

“We hope to give scope to several startups to scale up,” APIS CEO Winny Patro said, adding that the reason for relocation was the availability of robust industrial infrastructure in the city.

The Xlr8AP is aimed at establishing a world-class technology innovation ecosystem in A.P. through training, advanced capacity-building for innovators and entrepreneurs and incubation and acceleration of tech companies. The initiative will assist in the mobilisation of venture capital and provides access to the global network of both FICCI and IC2.

Second phase

Mr. Patro said Xlr8 has so far trained 132 startups in its first phase of operations. The phase-II will see another four cohorts. For every cohort, 33 startups will be short-listed out of which 25 to be declared eligible for attending the cohort for four months. Of these, eight will be considered for advanced acceleration with domestic and international business development support.

newKerala.com | Dec 01, 2018

India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit here, organised by FICCI

Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, today called upon the scientific community in India and ASEAN member states to intensify collaborative research in science, technology and innovation to address the economic and societal challenges being faced by the two regions.

Addressing the first India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit here, organised by FICCI in association with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Vardhan said, "The time now is for simple solutions for complex problems through innovation."

Under the ASEAN-India Innovation Platform, 400 technologies are ready to be commercialised in ASEAN member states, he said and called upon the scientific community to pool and share technologies through the platform.

India, he said, has a lot to offer to the ASEAN countries. New age technologies were being nurtured at the 38 laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, he said and added that in the global list of 1207 research institutions supported by government funding, India stood at the 9th position. "Our mission is to position India into the big league and be recognised among the top three global leaders in Science and Technology," he said. Applauding the initiative, he said that the summit should be an annual event with take aways and learnings, and the government will continue to extend its support for the same in future as well.

DST Secretary, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, said, "That Science and Technology was a new dimension to the strong India-ASEAN cultural bonds and complementary economic and political systems. The need of the hour was to scale up collaborations in nanotechnology, advanced materials and biotechnology," he said.

Prof. Sharma added that the ASEAN-India Innovation Platform (AIIP) is a major element of the enhanced the ASEAN-India S and T Development Fund (AISTDF), which is a part of ASEAN-India Science and Technology Collaboration. He applauded that the India ASEAN innovation platform which was launched 4 months back by DST and FICCI has already received more than 1.5 million hits.

The AIIP comprises social innovations, product and processes innovation generated by industry and research innovations from the academia and R and D labs. He called upon innovators in ASEAN countries to explore the numerous opportunities available in India and build partnerships for the common good of the people in the two regions.

"That the time was ripe to share the best ideas and build powerful networks between the scientific community of ASEAN and India. He called for creating sustainable national and international innotech projects to build a continuous and dynamic science revolution," said Moe Kyaw Aung, Ambassador of Myanmar to India.

Mr. R.V. Kanoria, Past President, FICCI and Chairman and Managing Director, Kanoria Chemicals and Industries Ltd. said, "That the two-day summit is being attended by S and T advisors, experts, institution heads, companies and entrepreneurs from ASEAN member states. More than 60 ASEAN delegates from industry, academia, government, bilateral and multilateral agencies and associated establishments that constitute the ecosystem for innovation-led technical and economic development are attending the first of its kind innovation and technology summit in India."

Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General FICCI in his address mentioned that in this 21st century technology and innovation should create welfare for common man. India and ASEAN member states should aspire to replicate successful models in each other's region.

Yogesh Andlay, Co-chair FICCI startup committee and Co-founder, Nucleus Software Pvt. Ltd. expressed that such platforms give a boost to the culture of innovation across sectors. This is an opportune platform where technology innovation and academia are meeting.

India Strategic | Nov 30, 2018

India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit here, organised by FICCI

Hon’ble Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, today called upon the scientific community in India and ASEAN member states to intensify collaborative research in science, technology and innovation to address the economic and societal challenges being faced by the two regions.

Addressing the first India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit here, organised by FICCI in association with the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Vardhan said, “The time now is for simple solutions for complex problems through innovation.”

India, he said, has a lot to offer to the ASEAN countries. New age technologies were being nurtured at the 38 laboratories of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, he said and added that in the global list of 1207 research institutions supported by government funding, India stood at the 9th position. “Our mission is to position India into the big league and be recognised among the top three global leaders in Science & Technology,” he said. Applauding the initiative, he said that the summit should be an annual event with take aways and learnings, and the government will continue to extend its support for the same in future as well.

DST Secretary, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, said that Science and Technology was a new dimension to the strong India-ASEAN cultural bonds and complementary economic and political systems. The need of the hour was to scale up collaborations in nanotechnology, advanced materials and biotechnology, he said.

Prof. Sharma added that the ASEAN-India Innovation Platform (AIIP) is a major element of the enhanced the ASEAN-India S&T Development Fund (AISTDF), which is a part of ASEAN-India Science & Technology Collaboration.He applauded that the India ASEAN innovation platform which was launched 4 months back by DST and FICCI has already received more than 1.5 million hits. The AIIP comprises social innovations, product and processes innovation generated by industry and research innovations from the academia and R&D labs. He called upon innovators in ASEAN countries to explore the numerous opportunities available in India and build partnerships for the common good of the people in the two regions.

Mr. Moe Kyaw Aung, Ambassador of Myanmar to India, said that the time was ripe to share the best ideas and build powerful networks between the scientific community of ASEAN and India. He called for creating sustainable national and international innotech projects to build a continuous and dynamic science revolution.

Mr. R.V. Kanoria, Past President, FICCI and Chairman and Managing Director, Kanoria Chemicals and Industries Ltd., said that the two-day summit is being attended by S&T advisors, experts, institution heads, companies and entrepreneurs from ASEAN member states. More than 60 ASEAN delegates from industry, academia, government, bilateral and multilateral agencies and associated establishments that constitute the ecosystem for innovation-led technical and economic development are attending the first of its kind innovation and technology summit in India.

Mr. Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General FICCI in his address mentioned that in this 21st century technology and innovation should create welfare for common man. India and ASEAN member states should aspire to replicate successful models in each other’s region.

Concluding the inaugural Mr. Yogesh Andlay, Co chair FICCI startup committee and Co-founder, Nucleus Software Pvt. Ltd. Expressed that such platforms give a boost to the culture of innovation across sectors. This is an opportune platform where technology innovation and academia are meeting.

ANI | Nov 30, 2018

India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit here, organised by FICCI

Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, today called upon the scientific community in India and ASEAN member states to intensify collaborative research in science, technology and innovation to address the economic and societal challenges being faced by the two regions.

Addressing the first India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit here, organised by FICCI in association with the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Vardhan said, "The time now is for simple solutions for complex problems through innovation."

India, he said, has a lot to offer to the ASEAN countries. New age technologies were being nurtured at the 38 laboratories of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, he said and added that in the global list of 1207 research institutions supported by government funding, India stood at the 9th position. "Our mission is to position India into the big league and be recognised among the top three global leaders in Science & Technology," he said. Applauding the initiative, he said that the summit should be an annual event with take aways and learnings, and the government will continue to extend its support for the same in future as well.

The AIIP comprises social innovations, product and processes innovation generated by industry and research innovations from the academia and R&D labs. He called upon innovators in ASEAN countries to explore the numerous opportunities available in India and build partnerships for the common good of the people in the two regions.

Mr. R.V. Kanoria, Past President, FICCI and Chairman and Managing Director, Kanoria Chemicals and Industries Ltd. said, "That the two-day summit is being attended by S&T advisors, experts, institution heads, companies and entrepreneurs from ASEAN member states. More than 60 ASEAN delegates from industry, academia, government, bilateral and multilateral agencies and associated establishments that constitute the ecosystem for innovation-led technical and economic development are attending the first of its kind innovation and technology summit in India."

Business Standard | Nov 30, 2018

India has a lot to offer to the ASEAN countries: India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit

Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, called upon the scientific community in India and ASEAN member states to intensify collaborative research in science, technology and innovation to address the economic and societal challenges being faced by the two regions.

Addressing the first India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit, organised by FICCI in association with the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Vardhan said, "The time now is for simple solutions for complex problems through innovation. "Under the ASEAN-India Innovation Platform, 400 technologies were ready to be commercialised in ASEAN countries, he said and called upon the scientific community to pool and share technologies through the platform.

Prof. Sharma added that the ASEAN-India Innovation Platform (AIIP) was a major element of the enhanced the ASEAN-India S&T Development Fund (AISTDF), which is a part of ASEAN-India Science & Technology Collaboration. The AIIP comprises social innovations, product and processes innovation generated by industry and research innovations from the academia and R&D labs. He called upon innovators in ASEAN countries to explore the numerous opportunities available in India and build partnerships for the common good of the people in the two regions.

Business Standard | Nov 30, 2018

India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit here, organised by FICCI

Addressing the first India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit here, organised by FICCI in association with the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Vardhan said, "The time now is for simple solutions for complex problems through innovation."

India, he said, has a lot to offer to the ASEAN countries. New age technologies were being nurtured at the 38 laboratories of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, he said and added that in the global list of 1207 research institutions supported by government funding, India stood at the 9th position. "Our mission is to position India into the big league and be recognised among the top three global leaders in Science & Technology," he said. Applauding the initiative, he said that the summit should be an annual event with take aways and learnings, and the government will continue to extend its support for the same in future as well.

Business Standard | Nov 30, 2018

India has a lot to offer to the ASEAN countries: India-ASEAN InnoTech Summit

The Economic Times | Mar 09, 2018

Fair Play: Niti Aayog launches a platform for women entrepreneurship

Niti Aayog on Thursday launched a platform that aims to build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem where women do not face any gender-based barriers.

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) will act as a point of dissemination of information on existing government schemes and programmes besides initiatives in the private sector to promote women entrepreneurship.

“The platform aspires to substantially increase the number of women entrepreneurs who will create and empower a dynamic new India,” said Anna Roy, head of Niti's WEP.

Roy said they will rely on partnerships with micro-finance, which will enable technology for a basic verification of credentials and credit evaluation to enable credit access to women-led businesses.

WEP has tied up with a range of industry lobby groups and entities including Nasscom, SIDBI, FICCI and CII, besides companies like Facebook that will provide ad credits to 100 selected women, and ShopClues, which will mentor 12 women entrepreneurs for a year.

Nasscom will provide infrastructure to 15 women-led startups across 10 states at a nominal charge.

WEP has also partnered with DICE, which will provide a fund of Rs 10 crore through its accelerator, Digital Leadership Institute, which will provide free training to 1,000 women, and Mann Deshi Foundation, which will allow women entrepreneurs to call on a helpline number for advice in digital literacy. WEP is also looking to cater to women who have taken a break in their career.

Business Standard | Mar 08, 2018

FICCI, NITI Aayog tie-up for 'women entrepreneurship platform'

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Thursday said it has tied-up with NITI Aayog for the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) initiative.

According to FICCI, NITI Aayog's dedicated cell will provide women entrepreneurs a platform where various stakeholders will connect to give a boost to their initiatives.

"Through a joint programme, FICCI and NITI Aayog shall provide hand-holding, mentorship, capacity building, scaling up and networking support to 100 technology led women enterprises over a period of five years," FICCI said in a statement.

It added that FICCI and NITI Aayog will also undertake policy advocacy towards formulation of policies and schemes that foster women entrepreneurship by identifying the existing gaps.

"FICCI is fully committed to work with NITI Aayog towards strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem for women in particular," said Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI.

"The women entrepreneurship ecosystem across the world has immense potential but is faced with financial and social barriers. Our aim is to provide a level playing field to women entrepreneurs," Saxena added.

Business Standard | Mar 08, 2018

India celebrates women's day with vows to close gender gap (Roundup)

With vows to close the gender gap in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday led the nation in marking International Womens Day -- a day to celebrate and refresh commitments towards social and economic emancipation of nearly half of the world population.

Across the country, a host of events were held, new programmes launched and women achievers awarded to recall the nation's commitment towards women's empowerment and ending gender disparity.

The Prime Minister marked the day with a visit to Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, which was in the news recently for a remarkable transformation in closing the gender gap.

According to 2011 census, the ratio was 837 girls per 1,000 boys. Now it is 955 girls per 1,000 boys -- the best in the state.

Modi, addressing a large gathering, comprising mostly women, called for a mass movement to protect the girl child in India and expanded his government's flagship "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)" campaign from the existing 161 to cover all districts of the country.

The Prime Minister said it was about the mindset and that society needed to unitedly battle the problem of the disturbing sex ratio in the country.

"This cannot happen with the government budget alone. This will happen when there is a mass movement. People are to be educated, made to understand. It is unfortunate that we have to plead with people to save the girl child, and use funds from budget separately for creating awareness. Nothing can be more disgraceful for a society than unequal sex ratio.

"We have to make it a revolution that number of girls taking birth should be equal to that of boys, the education provided to boys should also be given to girls, then only we can move ahead."

Modi lamented how preference for male children had made 21st century India worse than what it was in the 18th century when a girl child was at least allowed to take birth before being drowned in a milk tub.

"Today, the daughter is killed in the womb without either the mother or the daughter seeing each other's face."

As Modi spoke about bridging the gender gap, his parliament colleagues, cutting across party lines, raised the long pending demand of Women's Reservation Bill -- which seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.

The bill was introduced in parliament in May 2008. In 2010, the then UPA government adopted it in the Rajya Sabha to keep it alive on the legislative agenda. The bill, however, failed to get passed in the Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu, also the Vice President, suggested that the government should accord the stalled legislation the top priority.

"With women constituting about 50 per cent of our population, social, economic and political empowerment of women, including providing reservation in Parliament and state legislatures, has to be accorded top priority to achieve rapid progress," Naidu said.

MPs, particularly women, spoke in favour of the bill, urging the government to ensure its passage.

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Nari Shakti Puraskar to women from fields as diverse as sports, art, social work, science, conservation, agriculture, education, security, handicrafts and defence.

Many of those awarded have themselves faced severe discrimination and tragedies in their lives but have still risen above these to empower themselves and help others along their journeys of empowerment, according to a statement. Some 39 women received certificates and cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each.

Away from the power corridors, industry lobby Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said it has tied-up with NITI Aayog for the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP).

The initiative will provide women entrepreneurs a platform where various stakeholders will connect to give a boost to their initiatives.

Commemorating International Women's Day, Skill India said it has transformed lives of over 35 lakh women through skill training, empowering them for better and secured livelihood over the last three years.

To mark the day in Bengaluru, Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal announced that Banaswadi railway station in the city will be run entirely by women.

"This is the fifth all-women-run railway station in the country, in which all activities at the station will be carried out by women," Goyal told the media.

Apart from this, other all-women-run railway stations are located in Matunga in Mumbai, Gandhinagar in Jaipur, Chandragiri in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district and Ajni in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

The Quint | Mar 08, 2018

FICCI, NITI Aayog tie-up for 'women entrepreneurship platform'

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Thursday said it has tied-up with NITI Aayog for the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) initiative.According to FICCI, NITI Aayog's dedicated cell will provide women entrepreneurs a platform where various stakeholders will connect to give a boost to their initiatives."Through a joint programme, FICCI and NITI Aayog shall provide hand-holding, mentorship, capacity building, scaling up and networking support to 100 technology led women enterprises over a period of five years," FICCI said in a statement. It added that FICCI and NITI Aayog will also undertake policy advocacy towards formulation of policies and schemes that foster women entrepreneurship by identifying the existing gaps."FICCI is fully committed to work with NITI Aayog towards strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem for women in particular," said Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI."The women entrepreneurship ecosystem across the world has immense potential but is faced with financial and social barriers. Our aim is to provide a level playing field to women entrepreneurs," Saxena added.

SME Times | Mar 08, 2018

FICCI partners with NITI Aayog for women entrepreneurship platform

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), has joined hands with NITI Aayog for the latter's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) Initiative. NITI Aayog has launched the WEP as a progressive follow on to the recently concluded Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) which celebrated the theme of "Women First, Prosperity for All".

The dedicated cell will provide women entrepreneurs a platform where various stakeholders will connect to give a boost to their initiatives.

After successfully partnering for the Road to GES series and a recently concluded women entrepreneurs' delegation to the United States, NITI Aayog and FICCI have once again joined hands for the WEP.

NITI Aayog today announced that FICCI shall play an important role in both, domestic and international outreach, given the Chambers wide network of offices as well as fourteen strong chapters of FICCI Ladies Organization across the country. FICCI shall connect the WEP to women entrepreneurs, leaders, venture capitalists, academia, angel investors, etc. from across the globe. For this, FICCI will undertake five national and three international outreach and networking events annually.

Through a joint program, FICCI and NITI Aayog shall provide handholding, mentorship, capacity building, scaling up and networking support to 100 technology led women enterprises over a period of five years.

FICCI and NITI Aayog will also undertake policy advocacy towards formulation of policies and schemes that foster women entrepreneurship by identifying the existing gaps. FICCI shall conduct two stakeholder dialogue meetings towards this and submit the recommendations to NITI Aayog.

"The Women Entrepreneurship Platform is a collaborative, interactive and connected initiative to achieve a common goal, empowering Women Entrepreneurs in the country" said Dr. Anna Roy, Advisor, NITI Aayog at the launch.

http://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/niti-aayog-launches-women-entrepreneurship-platform-on-international-womens-day | Mar 08, 2018

NITI Aayog launches Women Entrepreneurship Platform on International Women's Day

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, NITI Aayog today launched the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) aiming towards building an ecosystem for women across India to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations, scale-up innovative initiatives and chalk-out sustainable, long-term strategies for their businesses.

CEO, NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, launched the WEP platform at NITI Aayog premises in the capital today in presence of UN Resident Coordinator in IndiaYuri Afanasiev, Kailash Kher, industry leaders and supporting partners. The WEP theme song “Naari Shakti” composed and sung by Singer Kailash Kher was released on this occasion.

WEP was envisaged by the CEO NITI Aayog during Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) last year in Hyderabad.

It aims to power a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem through an enabling network of industry collaborations, partnerships, mentors and peer-to-peer connect.

Established under the leadership of Anna Roy, Adviser (Industry) of NITI Aayog, the platform aspires to substantially increase the number of women entrepreneurs who will create and empower a dynamic New India.

These aspirations are manifest in the three pillars on which WEP is built: Ichha Shakti (motivating aspiring entrepreneurs to start their enterprise), Gyaan Shakti (providing knowledge and ecosystem support to women entrepreneurs to help them foster entrepreneurship) &Karma Shakti (providing hands-on support to entrepreneurs in setting-up and scaling up businesses).

With an informative, interactive website to act as a dedicated resource and knowledge base, WEP aims to address the bottlenecks faced by both aspiring and established women entrepreneurs by streamlining information across government and private sector schemes and initiatives.

WEP is to operate within a broader framework of industry collaborations and partnerships, which cut across sectors in the economy. From providing unique services such as credit evaluation of women-led startups by CRISIL and potential equity investments through an INR 10 crore fund established by DICE Districts, the WEP opens up avenues of growth and opportunity for women entrepreneurs.

Other partner commitments include ShopClues.com, which has offered to provide internship and dedicated mentorship and Mann Deshi Foundation to provide digital and financial literacy to aspiring women entrepreneurs. Several other leading corporates and industry bodies viz. NASSCOM, CII, FICCI, SIDBI and Facebook have partnered with WEP to provide business acceleration, mentorship and other start-up support for women entrepreneurs, details of which can be accessed on https://wep.gov.in.

Women entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit wep.gov.in for more information about the platform, its vision and initiatives.

xinhuanet | Mar 08, 2018

India's business chamber joins hands with govt think-tank to boost women entrepreneurs

To mark the International Women's Day on Thursday, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) joined hands with the country's ace policy think-tank "NITI Aayog" for the latter's women entrepreneurship platform (WEP) initiative.

NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog is a premier policy think tank of India, providing both directional and policy inputs for central and state governments.

NITI Aayog launched the WEP as a progressive follow-on to the recently concluded Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) which celebrated the theme of "Women First, Prosperity for All".

At a ceremony held Thursday in New Delhi, Anna Roy, an advisor at NITI Aayog said:"WEP is a collaborative, interactive and connected initiative to achieve a common goal, empowering women entrepreneurs in the country."

On the occasion, FICCI Deputy Secretary-General Nirankar Saxena stated that FICCI was fully committed to working with NITI Aayog towards strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem for women in particular.

As per the initiative, FICCI shall connect the WEP to women entrepreneurs, leaders, venture capitalists, academia, angel investors, etc. from across the globe. For this, FICCI will undertake five national and three international outreach and networking events annually.

Through a joint program, FICCI and NITI Aayog shall provide handholding, mentorship, capacity building, scaling up and networking support to 100 technology-led women enterprises over a period of five years.

DNA | Mar 08, 2018

Niti Aayog launches platform for female entrepreneurs

Government think-tank Niti Aayog on Thursday launched a dedicated platform to promote women entrepreneurs build on their businesses successfully.

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is aimed at building an ecosystem for women across India to realise their entrepreneurial aspirations, scale up innovative initiatives and chalk out sustainable, long-term strategies for their business, Niti Aayog said in a statement to mark the International Women's Day Thursday.

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant launched WEP in the presence of UN Resident Coordinator in India Yuri Afanasiev, singer Kailash Kher, among others.

The WEP theme song "Nari Shakti" composed and sung by Kher was also released on the occassion.

Kant and Afanasiev also opened the nominations for the Women Transforming India Awards, 2018.

WEP, envisaged last year by Kant, enables women entrepreneurs build up industry networking, partnerships, seek mentor support and also forge peer-to-peer connect.

The platform aspires to substantially increase the number of women entrepreneurs who will create and empower a dynamic new India, Niti Aayog said.

WEP is manifested on three pillars, namely, Ichha Shakti--motivating aspiring entrepreneurs to start their enterprise, Gyaan Shakti--providing knowledge and ecosystem support to women entrepreneurs to help them foster entrepreneurship and Karma Shakti --providing hands-on support to entrepreneurs in setting-up and scaling up businesses.

Niti Aayog said WEP will address the bottlenecks faced by both aspiring and established women entrepreneurs by streamlining information across government and private sector schemes and initiatives.

The platform will provide credit evaluation of women-led startups by Crisil and potential equity investments through Rs 10 crore fund established by DICE Districts.

Several leading corporates and industry bodies like Nasscom, CII, FICCI, Sidbi and Facebook have partnered with WEP to provide business acceleration, mentorship and other start-up support for women entrepreneurs.

Absolute India | Jan 04, 2018

FICCI appoints board to mentor C-Tech programmes

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) today announced the appointment of a high-powered Innovation and Technology Board to mentor the programmes and activities of the FICCI Centre for Innovation, Science and Technology Commercialization (C-Tech). The advisory board would be chaired by the start-up ecosystem veteran, Saurabh Srivastava and co-chaired by Ajit Rangnekar, DG, Research & Innovation Circle and Former Dean, Indian School of Business and Anand Sudarshan, Founder & Director, Sylvant Advisors.

Established in 2007, FICCI C-Tech runs on the three pillars of Innovation-Entrepreneurship-Impact, providing a platform and institutional framework to Indian innovators and entrepreneurs and helping them convert their ideas into businesses. The Centre currently runs several national level multi-stakeholder programmes to support Indian start-ups and innovators, including the India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP), Millennium Alliance (MA), XLr8 Andhra Pradesh, C.V. Raman International Fellowship Program for African Researchers, Google-FICCI Digital Unlocked Certification, TimeIs, SERB-FICCI Initiative to Promote Industry Relevant R&D with Academia and India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme (IRIGP).

The Centre has also recently signed an MoU with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under a new program Health Technology Accelerated Commercialization (H:TAC) to commercialize technologies developed by ICMR labs for the benefit of communities at large.

Over the last decade, FICCI C-Tech has received and evaluated more than 15,000 proposals and supported close to 1000 innovative enterprises. Innovators supported through the multiple programs have positively impacted the socio-economic development of not only India but also other developing nations in South Asia and Africa. The India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme (IRIGP), a recent addition, is an example of programmes focused on using the ingenuity of Indian innovations for wider global impact. These programmes have created over 12,000 jobs and enabled portfolio companies to earn consolidated revenues of over a billion dollars. The social enterprises support have touched the lives of 6.80 million people from the underserved communities.

To foster south-south cooperation, several Indian companies have been supported to scale their innovations to other developing countries such as Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal among others.

With the aim of strengthening its commitment to innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, the FICCI Innovation and Technology Board would review, evaluate and advice C-Tech's programme and activities. With a strong board including but not limited to Vineet Rai, CEO & MD, Aavishkaar Venture Management Services and Ullas Kamath, MD, Jyothy Laboratories Ltd., the Centre looks to grow and expand its portfolio through programmes focused on a wider range of sectors within the Indian and global start-up ecosystem.

Welcoming the members on board, Dr. Sanjaya Baru, Secretary General, FICCI stated, "With the inclusion of the Innovation and Technology Board, FICCI renews its commitment and is confident of continued growth and success of the work undertaken by C-Tech in fostering and accelerating Indian innovations into the global marketplace."

Saurabh Srivastava, Chairman of the Board, in a statement said, "As an effective business game-changer, the role of technology in the coming days is immense. With the evolving technology landscape and the inter-disciplinary nature of science, it is about time that the collective knowledge of sectoral experts is consolidated and leveraged for common good. The Board shall provide timely guidance and inputs to FICCI's ongoing initiatives in the start-up and innovation space and help lead FICCI in the domain."

Anand Sudarshan, Co-Chair stated, "FICCI has been a front-runner in supporting technology enterprises. We are committed to scale start-ups who would act as engines of growth and employment generation."

Ajit Rangnekar, Co-Chair said "The pioneering role of FICCI in nurturing an innovation-led entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country is well known and acknowledged. The formation of the Board is a thoughtful move to leverage the expertise of sectoral leaders and gain from their wisdom. The Board shall play the role of a mentor to FICCI's initiatives in innovation and entrepreneurship and will help it leap into the next higher level."

Nirankar Saxena, Assistant Secretary General & Head FICCI C-Tech said, "I am confident that FICCI C-Tech would continue its exceptional work in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship, growing from strength to strength with the current set of programmes as well as future endeavors."

Business Standard | Nov 24, 2017

Road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 celebrates women entrepreneurship

The Bhubaneswar Road to Entrepreneurship Summit was inaugurated by Prafulla Samal, Minister, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha.

Making his inaugural address he stated, "The Government of Odisha is ready to provide proactive support to startups in the state. We are keen to support the women entrepreneurs in the state in every possible way. The state government is trying to bring all women, irrespective of their socio-economic class, caste, creed and religion, in Odisha, into the fold of Self Help Group (SHG) mechanism by 2018. We have even signed an MoU with Facebook to assist our women in digital marketing of their quality products not only in state but also worldwide."

Badri Narayan Patra, Minister, School and Mass Education, Science and Technology delivered his Special Address - "S&T ministry is committed to creating a conducive environment for startups with the creation of workshops, seminars and incubation cells."

Giving a welcome address at the inaugural session, Nirankar Saxena, Assistant Secretary General and Head Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation - FICCI said, "FICCI has been working with the governments, developmental agencies and academia to provide incubation, acceleration, scale up, mentoring and networking support for more than a decade. We strongly feel the need to replicate these successful programs in the state of Odisha to nurture and create unicorns of Odisha."

"The initiatives of the Government to support startups are yielding encouraging results. For instance, more than 2 dozen startups from Odisha will be joining the main GES Summit at Hyderabad. MSME department has 24 incubation centres out of which 5 are being supported by MSME Department," added L. N. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha.

Odisha Television Network Director Jagi Mangat Panda, the leading woman entrepreneur of the state, said, "The most important part of women empowerment is to create an entrepreneurial culture which can only happen if issues concerning women are addressed at the grassroots level. There are gender biases and stereotypes that are so deeply entrenched in our society that a simple passage of a law will not be able to take care of it, rather some extraordinary efforts have to be taken."

With the focus on women entrepreneurship and gender equality, FICCI partnered with NITI Aayog to organise five interactive entrepreneurial events as a part of "Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Series". These events brought together industry leaders, start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors as well as enablers of the innovation ecosystem such as government, international agencies and industry associations not only from India but across the globe.

The stakeholders deliberated on several aspects related to start-ups such as finance, investment, mentoring and human capital. These events showcased success stories, social impact and also the gaps to be filled to ensure that women entrepreneurs are successful in fulfilling their dreams and ambitions.

Touching on various important subjects, the summit sessions included topics like "empowering women entrepreneurs-empower, engage and elevate" and "challenges, success and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Tier II cities".

A special session was focused on pitches from start-ups to give impetus to women entrepreneurs. The winner received two gold tickets and one silver ticket to the main GES event in Hyderabad between November 28 and 30. During the pitching, two startups from Odisha got a commitment of investment from the investors.

In partnership with the Government of the United States of America, NITI Aayog is hosting the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in India from November 28-30, 2017. The Summit will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US delegation will be led by Ivanka Trump, Advisor to President Donald Trump.

Since the inception of GES in 2010, it has travelled across the world from Washington D.C. to Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley, and now finally Hyderabad.

This year is the first time GES will be hosted in South Asia, and the event will highlight India's enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship - including actions by the government to increase the ease of doing business, eliminating unnecessary regulations and supporting start-ups.

At GES 2017, over 1500 attendees, including entrepreneurs, investors, educators, government officials, and business representatives will represent the full measure of entrepreneurial talent from diverse backgrounds across our nation and the world. Through networking, mentoring and workshops, the GES seeks to empower entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, build partnerships, secure funding, and create innovative products and services that will transform societies for better tomorrow.

Outlook | Nov 24, 2017

Road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 celebrates women entrepreneurship

The Bhubaneswar Road to Entrepreneurship Summit was inaugurated by Prafulla Samal, Minister, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha.

Since the inception of GES in 2010, it has travelled across the world from Washington D.C. to Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley, and now finally Hyderabad.

ANI | Nov 24, 2017

Road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 celebrates women entrepreneurship

The Bhubaneswar Road to Entrepreneurship Summit was inaugurated by Prafulla Samal, Minister, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha.

Since the inception of GES in 2010, it has travelled across the world from Washington D.C. to Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley, and now finally Hyderabad.

India | Nov 24, 2017

Road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 celebrates women entrepreneurship

The Bhubaneswar Road to Entrepreneurship Summit was inaugurated by Prafulla Samal, Minister, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha.

Making his inaugural address he stated, “The Government of Odisha is ready to provide proactive support to startups in the state. We are keen to support the women entrepreneurs in the state in every possible way. The state government is trying to bring all women, irrespective of their socio-economic class, caste, creed and religion, in Odisha, into the fold of Self Help Group (SHG) mechanism by 2018. We have even signed an MoU with Facebook to assist our women in digital marketing of their quality products not only in state but also worldwide.”

Badri Narayan Patra, Minister, School and Mass Education, Science and Technology delivered his Special Address – “S&T ministry is committed to creating a conducive environment for startups with the creation of workshops, seminars and incubation cells.”

Giving a welcome address at the inaugural session, Nirankar Saxena, Assistant Secretary General and Head Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation – FICCI said, “FICCI has been working with the governments, developmental agencies and academia to provide incubation, acceleration, scale up, mentoring and networking support for more than a decade. We strongly feel the need to replicate these successful programs in the state of Odisha to nurture and create unicorns of Odisha.”

“The initiatives of the Government to support startups are yielding encouraging results. For instance, more than 2 dozen startups from Odisha will be joining the main GES Summit at Hyderabad. MSME department has 24 incubation centres out of which 5 are being supported by MSME Department,” added L. N. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha.

Odisha Television Network Director Jagi Mangat Panda, the leading woman entrepreneur of the state, said, “The most important part of women empowerment is to create an entrepreneurial culture which can only happen if issues concerning women are addressed at the grassroots level. There are gender biases and stereotypes that are so deeply entrenched in our society that a simple passage of a law will not be able to take care of it, rather some extraordinary efforts have to be taken.”

With the focus on women entrepreneurship and gender equality, FICCI partnered with NITI Aayog to organise five interactive entrepreneurial events as a part of “Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Series”. These events brought together industry leaders, start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors as well as enablers of the innovation ecosystem such as government, international agencies and industry associations not only from India but across the globe.

Touching on various important subjects, the summit sessions included topics like “empowering women entrepreneurs-empower, engage and elevate” and “challenges, success and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Tier II cities”.

Since the inception of GES in 2010, it has travelled across the world from Washington D.C. to Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley, and now finally Hyderabad.

This year is the first time GES will be hosted in South Asia, and the event will highlight India’s enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship – including actions by the government to increase the ease of doing business, eliminating unnecessary regulations and supporting start-ups.

The Pioneer | Nov 16, 2017

Empower Women Entrepreneurs

The NITI Aayog in partnership with the US government, is hosting the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in India from November 28 to 30. The Summit will be addressed by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The US delegation will be led by Ivanka Trump, advisor to President, Donald Trump.

Leading up to the GES Summit, FICCI has partnered with NITI Aayog to organise five interactive entrepreneurial events as a part of road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Series, with the focus on celebrating and empowering women in entrepreneurship sector.

These events will bring together industry leaders, start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors as well as enablers of the innovation ecosystem viz g overnment, international agencies and industry associations not only from India but across the globe.

The event saw participation from eminent women leaders and entrepreneurs including Meenakshi Lekhi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha; Aparna Saroagi, executive chairperson, WEE foundation; Rina Dhaka, fashion designer, member of FDCI and Shahnaz Husain, CEO, Shahnaz Herbals.

The Indian Awaaz | Nov 14, 2017

Global entrepreneurship summit calls for empowering women industrialists

Prominent women from the different walks of life in India on Tuesday called upon the government and the other agencies to empower women entrepreneurs to give a fillip to Indian industries.

The call came ahead of the decision of NITI Ayog to hold a global summit on entrepreneurship in India. The summit is being held on November 28-29 and will be addressed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US government is partnership the even with the collaboration of FICCI.

A conference was held in the run up to the summit here at Amiercan Centre where many top women leaders including BJP MP Meenaxi Lelkhi delivered key note address dealing with the several aspects relating to start-ups like finance, investment, mentoring and human capital.

Focussed on the role of entrepreneurship in women empowerment the event that where many a women stalwarts deliberated upon the issue, was held in the back drop of GES set up in 2010. The main event will be held in Hyderabad where over 1500 participants would issue the subjects at length.

Business Standard | Nov 08, 2017

Chennai event kickstarts "Road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit" series

FICCI has partnered with NITI Aayog to organize five interactive entrepreneurial events as a part of "Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Series".

These events will bring together industry leaders, start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors as well as enablers of the innovation ecosystem viz. government, international agencies and industry associations not only from India but across the globe.

The stakeholders would deliberate on several aspects related to start-ups game such as finance, investment, mentoring and human capital. These events will showcase success stories, social impact and also the gaps to be filled to ensure that women entrepreneurs are successful in fulfilling their dreams and ambitions.

Kickstarting the series the inaugural event was held in Chennai on November 7, at IIT Madras.

"It's time to harness technology and innovations to solve some of the most pressing problems for the benefit of communities at large. Innovation and entrepreneurship will play a decisive role towards this end. GES will be a platform to connect with entrepreneurs, domain expertise and mentors around the world," said Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.C. Sampath.

"Indian women entrepreneurs of today are chartering unknown territories with bravado. Be it ecommerce, education, investment, travel, fashion, retail, fitness, hiring or anything else, they are proceeding with gumption and unbridled enthusiasm to change the world around them," said Joint MD and Executive Director, The KCP Limited, Kavita Dutt Chitturi.

"Its much harder for women entrepreneurs than men. That needs to change. Entrepreneurship is hard enough without any extra barriers to success. GES will be an enabling platform to support women entrepreneurs at global level," said Political and Economics Officer, United States Consulate General Chennai, Joseph Bernath.

In partnership with the Government of the United States of America, NITI Aayog is hosting the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in India from November 28-30, 2017.

The Summit will be addressed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The US delegation will be led by Ivanka Trump, Advisor to President Trump.

Since the inception of GES in 2010, it has traveled across the world from Washington D.C. to Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley, and now finally Hyderabad.

This year is the first time GES will be hosted in South Asia, and the event will highlight India's enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship including actions by the government to increase the ease of doing business, eliminating unnecessary regulations, and supporting startups.

Through networking, mentoring and workshops, the GES empowers entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, build partnerships, secure funding, and create innovative products and services that will transform societies for better tomorrow.

ABP Live | Nov 08, 2017

Chennai event kickstarts "Road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit" series

FICCI has partnered with NITI Aayog to organize five interactive entrepreneurial events as a part of "Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Series".

These events will bring together industry leaders, start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors as well as enablers of the innovation ecosystem viz. government, international agencies and industry associations not only from India but across the globe.

Kickstarting the series the inaugural event was held in Chennai on November 7, at IIT Madras.

In partnership with the Government of the United States of America, NITI Aayog is hosting the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in India from November 28-30, 2017.

The Summit will be addressed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The US delegation will be led by Ivanka Trump, Advisor to President Trump.

Since the inception of GES in 2010, it has traveled across the world from Washington D.C. to Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley, and now finally Hyderabad.

India | Nov 08, 2017

Chennai event kickstarts "Road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit" series

FICCI has partnered with NITI Aayog to organize five interactive entrepreneurial events as a part of “Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Series”.

These events will bring together industry leaders, start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors as well as enablers of the innovation ecosystem viz. government, international agencies and industry associations not only from India but across the globe.

Kickstarting the series the inaugural event was held in Chennai on November 7, at IIT Madras.

“It’s time to harness technology and innovations to solve some of the most pressing problems for the benefit of communities at large. Innovation and entrepreneurship will play a decisive role towards this end. GES will be a platform to connect with entrepreneurs, domain expertise and mentors around the world,” said Minister for Industries, Government of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.C. Sampath.

“Indian women entrepreneurs of today are chartering unknown territories with bravado. Be it ecommerce, education, investment, travel, fashion, retail, fitness, hiring or anything else, they are proceeding with gumption and unbridled enthusiasm to change the world around them,” said Joint MD and Executive Director, The KCP Limited, Kavita Dutt Chitturi.

“Its much harder for women entrepreneurs than men. That needs to change. Entrepreneurship is hard enough without any extra barriers to success. GES will be an enabling platform to support women entrepreneurs at global level,” said Political and Economics Officer, United States Consulate General Chennai, Joseph Bernath.

In partnership with the Government of the United States of America, NITI Aayog is hosting the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in India from November 28-30, 2017.

The Summit will be addressed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The US delegation will be led by Ivanka Trump, Advisor to President Trump.

Since the inception of GES in 2010, it has traveled across the world from Washington D.C. to Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley, and now finally Hyderabad.

This year is the first time GES will be hosted in South Asia, and the event will highlight India’s enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship including actions by the government to increase the ease of doing business, eliminating unnecessary regulations, and supporting startups.

newKerala.com | Nov 08, 2017

Chennai event kickstarts "Road to Global Entrepreneurship Summit" series

FICCI has partnered with NITI Aayog to organize five interactive entrepreneurial events as a part of Road to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Series.

These events will bring together industry leaders, start-ups, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors as well as enablers of the innovation ecosystem viz. government, international agencies and industry associations not only from India but across the globe.

Kickstarting the series the inaugural event was held in Chennai on November 7, at IIT Madras.

In partnership with the Government of the United States of America, NITI Aayog is hosting the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in India from November 28-30, 2017.

The Summit will be addressed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The US delegation will be led by Ivanka Trump, Advisor to President Trump.

Since the inception of GES in 2010, it has traveled across the world from Washington D.C. to Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, Silicon Valley, and now finally Hyderabad.

Business Standard | Oct 15, 2016

45 business agreements announced under 'DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Programme'

More than 20 winners of the India Innovation Growth Programme showcased their technologies at the Bengaluru Technology Expo.

These included technologies from Bengaluru like SpeedLink, a portable Wi-Fi router that combines up to eight different cellular networks (2G, 3G, 4G) from any vendor and provides the sum of all the bandwidth capacities as one super-fast Internet connection and a portable, intelligent, non-invasive, non-mydriatic, low cost Fundus camera (eye care device) that helps in pre-screening of five eye diseases namely cataract, diabetic retina, glaucoma, cornea issues as well as refractive index measurements.

The Bengaluru Technology Expo was inaugurated by Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT, BT and Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka. During his keynote address the Minister lauded IIGP has the longest private-public partnership and stressed the need for more such initiatives. Kharge also said that, "Bengaluru remains the number-one innovation eco-system in India." He added that development was not just about an idea, but making ideas and innovation happen.

IIGP enables Indian innovators and startups to get connected to industry partners not only in India but across the globe. 12 innovators were taken to Silicon Valley during September 25-30 this year to provide them an exposure to the global innovation ecosystem and get on an accelerated commercialization path.

Subsequently, Swati Tiwari of Arcturus Business solutions, a Noida based startup was connected to Texas based Austin Energy who recently tested the solution developed by Arcturus for inspecting power transmission lines from the air using drones and breakthrough imaging software.

Several awarded startups also participated in an Indian innovation led start-ups to Nairobi organized by FICCI earlier this year. As a consequence of the visit, one of the awarded companies under the IIGP viz.

Aakar Innovations which has developed low cost biodegradable sanitary napkins has signed MoUs for partnership with Banapads from Uganda; Zana Africa from Kenya and Dreamline Business Centre from Kenya.

45 international and domestic business agreements were announced at the event with leading industry partners under IIGP2016 including Saab Group, BAE System, TATA Housing and Austin Energy. The innovators also participated in an investors' meet to explore further opportunities for collaboration.

The IIGP has provided a platform for nurturing innovation in the country, as seen in the rapid rise of applications-receiving over 7000 applications since its inception. The IIGP focuses on a "Mind to Market" strategy by offering extensive training modules that are suitably structured to help participants gauge and streamline their existing capabilities, as well as formulate and implement appropriate business strategies.

With its emphasis on capacity building and technology commercialization, IIGP has helped several participants in their quest to find suitable business partners in India as well as internationally.

This has resulted in over 500 business engagement agreements being signed between innovators and industry partners/investors. The total revenue generated by the participating companies under the programme is USD 860 million.

Since the inception of IIGP, there are several innovators who are not only able to commercialize their technology but have also generated exports. In the period 2013 to 2015 the total export turn-over of the innovators was Rs. 181 crore (approx. USD 30million).

The India Innovation Growth Programme, launched in March 2007, was started with the objective of enhancing the growth and development of India's entrepreneurial economy. The aim of this programme is to accelerate innovative new Indian technologies into markets in the United States and around the world.

The India Innovation Growth Programme is the only programme of its kind because of its focus on teaching and using world-class commercialization strategies. Since its introduction in India, the programme has received an overwhelming response from innovators, inventors, scientists and researchers working across diverse sectors throughout India.

The Tribune | Jul 20, 2016

IIT Kharagpur team wins innovation challenge

Mukesh Kumar and Vijay Anand from IIT Kharagpur won first prize in annual innovation challenge Mind over Matter season 3 last week. The NIT Jamshedpur team comprising Priyanka Sinha and Aarushee Agarwal bagged the first runners up position while Manish K Chandan and Sourav Agarwal from BIT Mesra, Ranchi secured the third position.

Five teams from all over the country had presented their innovative ideas in the finals of the contest that is organised by Tata Steel. The jury for the finale was chaired by Anand Sen, President TQM and Steel Business, Tata Steel, Dr. Sanjay Chandra, Chief R&D and SS, Tata Steel and Dharmendra Kumar, Chief Engineering and Projects, Tata Steel.

Season 3 of ‘Mind over Matter’ received an overwhelming participation from more than 30 top engineering institutes of India, including the IITs, NITs and the likes. The competition witnessed a record 270 idea submissions against a total of 12 challenges (topics) put forth by our R&D team.

The winners, first and second runners ups were given prize money of Rs1,00,000, Rs75,000 and Rs50,000, respectively. The top three winning teams of this season walked away with pre-placement offers from Tata Steel and rest seven teams received PPIs.

India Skills 2016 winners

As many as 24 enterprising young men and women were declared winners in different categories in the first edition of India Skills Competition 2016 in New Delhi last week. Each winner was awarded Rs1 lakh, first runner-up Rs50,000 and Second Runner up Rs 25,000. Siddharth Pandey in Cooking, Nancy Verma in Beauty Therapy, Abhishek Dangi in Fashion Technology, Karan Dhaliwal in Restaurant Service were winners from Delhi NCR.

The winners were felicitated by Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge) and have qualified for selection of WorldSkills International Competition Abu Dhabi 2017.

A team of 192 participants in 24 skill categories represented different states this year led by, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and associate organisation, under the guidance of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Students were in the age group of 18 to 22 years.

In order to select the best talent to represent India at IndiaSkills, MSDE and NSDC completed more than 80 regional competitions in 24 skills/trades including hair stylist, welding, car painting, auto body repair, graphic designing, robotics to name a few.

Close to 4820 candidates registered to participate in the competition this year. Around 40 organisation like Mahindra, Tata, Maruti, Toyota, CII, FICCI, NASSCOM, CREDAI, NID, NIFT, came together to make IndiaSkills a success (including consortium partners).

Youth skilling programe

India’s fifth largest private sector bank, YES BANK, announced the commencement of YES FORCE (Front Line Opportunity for Rapid Career Enhancement) programme on World Youth Skills Day (July 15) last week.

As a part of this programme the bank has initiated strategic tie-ups with reputed training institutes like TimesPro, HCL TalentCare, Teamlease Skills University, IL & FS Skills Development Corporation amongst others. In partnership with these institutes, the bank has launched a skill enhancement and career progression initiative of ‘Certification on Banking Fundamentals & Business Development’ for youth across India to aid their skill development and provide employment opportunities in Banking & Financial sales services.

YES FORCE is a 4-6 week classroom programme aimed at up-skilling young talent to enhance their ‘employability’ for ‘Day 1 Readiness’ to fill frontline business development roles in Banking. The programme content covers topics like Basics of Banking, Sales Management and is designed as a virtual “On the Job” interface. Post certification, candidates are placed as ‘Client Relationship Partner’/’Business Relationship Partner’ in YES BANK with an average compensation of Rs 2.25 lakh p.a.

The bank has successfully onboarded over 200 candidates under this programme, and is targeting to fulfil atleast 25 per cent of the bank’s frontline human capital requirements through this programme to augment the rapidly expanding retail franchise and branch network. Graduates or professionals with 1-3 years experience in Banking & Finance are eligible to apply for this programme via the partner institutes.

The Hindu Business Line | Jul 15, 2016

Indian start-ups showcase prowess in Africa

In an effort to boost the start-up ecosystem in Africa, a delegation of 21 Indian start-ups, which had accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kenya, have showcased their technologies and case studies there.

These start-ups were jointly led by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Technology Development Board (TDB).

The FICCI and the TDB intend to begin a programme dubbed African Development through Indian Technology and Innovation (ADITI) under the slogan ‘India Shares Because It Cares’ as envisaged in the joint statement by Modi and more than 40 heads of States of Africa during the India Africa Forum Summit III in New Delhi in October 2015.

The participating companies come from several national flagship programmes such as DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Programme, Millennium Alliance, and DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialisation.

The Statesman | Jul 13, 2016

Start-ups take Indian innovations to Africa

FICCI jointly with the Technology Development Board (TDB) took a delegation of 21 Indian innovation-led start-ups to Nairobi, Kenya, at the business conclave that was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Kenya yesterday.

FICCI and TDB intend to begin a programme named African Development through Indian Technology and Innovation (ADITI) under the slogan "India Shares Because It Cares" as envisaged in the joint statement of Mr Modi and more than 40 heads of states of Africa during the biggest-ever India Africa Forum Summit III (IAFS III) in New Delhi in October 2015.

Responding to the needs of African markets, these technologies and innovations provide low cost affordable solutions for service delivery at last mile in priority sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, water and sanitation and financial inclusion.

The participating companies come from several national flagship programs such as the DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Programme, Millennium Alliance and DRDO- FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialisation. They represent a unique opportunity for India to enhance its South-South cooperation while opening new markets for Indian startups.

Among the technologies exhibited include CassavaTech, a patented technology.

The Economic Times | Jul 12, 2016

21 Indian startups showcase innovative tech products in Kenya

As many as 21 Indian startups showcased their innovative products at a business enclave in Nairobi during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kenya, industry chamber FICCI said today.

FICCI and the Technology Development Board (TDB) took a delegation of 21 Indian startups to Nairobi.

They showcased technology driven innovative solutions at the business enclave that was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday, FICCI said in a statement.

Responding to the needs of the African markets, these technologies and innovations provide low cost affordable solutions in different sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, water and sanitation and financial inclusion, the statement said.

The endeavour was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Africa through technology and knowledge exchange.

The technologies showcased have been developed, tested and validated in India and are now being replicated and scaled in Africa, it said.

"They represent a unique opportunity for India to enhance its South-South cooperation while opening new markets for Indian startups," FICCI said.

Some of the technologies exhibited include CassavaTech, a patented technology that brings down capital cost of processing cassava from $15,000 to $200 and reduces operating cost from $20 to $2 for 200 kg processing capacity, it added.

Focus News | Jul 07, 2016

Under the DRDO-FICCI ATAC Program DRDO transfers of its proprietary Copper-Titanium alloy technology

Under the aegis of the DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialization (ATAC) initiative DRDO concluded a technology-transfer process for its indigenously developed Copper-Titanium technology to Pahwa Metal Tech Private Limited (PMTPL), a Pune-based startup founded by industry veteran, Mr. Lalit Kumar Pahwa. The technology transfer exercise was completed coinciding with the launch of the ‘Startup India’ initiative by the Hon’ble PM of India on the 16th January 2016, a MoU was exchanged between DRDO & PMTPL on the same day to start the technology transfer process, which has now completed.

The technology has been developed at the Defence Metallurgical Research Lab (DMRL), Hyderabad, premier DRDO lab on metallurgical research domain, and relates to a process of manufacturing of Copper Titanium alloy, using air induction and vacuum induction melting. The alloy thus made has non-sparking characteristics and possesses high strength and electrical conductivity comparable to existing Copper Beryllium (CuBe2) alloy alternatives. The application areas of the alloy are diverse and range from industrial machinery to aerospace. The successful completion of the technology transfer process shall enable an Indian startup to manufacture the alloy for the first time in India for global customer base. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. S Radhakrishnan, Director, Directorate of Industry Interface & Technology Management, DRDO, said, ‘the successful transfer of DRDO developed Copper-Titanium technology is a testament of

the commercialization potential of research done at DMRL, DRDO’s premier research lab for metallurgy. With the successful completion of the technology transfer process, we are hopeful to see the technology being employed in wider application areas. The technology transfer shall enable the licensee, M/s Pahwa MetalTech Pvt Ltd, to manufacture the Copper-Titanium alloy for the first time in India. With close to 100 MoUs for technology transfer signed till date under its aegis, the DRDO FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialization (ATAC) platform has provided an impetus to the ‘Make in India’ initiative by enabling private sector players to acquire DRDO technologies and manufacture for wider applications and customer base. Mr. Lalit Kumar Pahwa, CEO & MD, PMTPL noted, “As a startup, PMTPL is very excited and to launch this 'Made in India' technology for the world. We thank the DRDO FICCI ATAC programme and the teams at DMRL, DRDO and FICCI for their support in helping us come thus far. We are proud to launch an exciting technology that shall have application in several sectors of the economy and will contribute to the Make in India initiative of our Hon’ble PM.”

webindia123 | Jul 06, 2016

DRDO transfers Copper-Titanium alloy technology to PMTPL

DRDO concluded a technology-transfer process for its indigenously developed Copper-Titanium technology to Pahwa Metal Tech Private Limited (PMTPL), a Pune-based startup founded by Industry veteran Lalit Kumar Pahwa.

The technology transfer exercise was completed coinciding with the launch of the 'Startup India' initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 16. A MoU was exchanged between DRDO & PMTPL on the same day to start the technology transfer process, which has now completed, a DRDO statement said here today.

The technology has been developed at the Defence Metallurgical Research Lab (DMRL), Hyderabad, a premier DRDO lab on metallurgical research domain, and relates to a process of manufacturing of Copper Titanium alloy, using air induction and vacuum induction melting. The alloy thus made has non-sparking characteristics and possesses high strength and electrical conductivity comparable to existing Copper Beryllium (CuBe2) alloy alternatives. The application areas of the alloy are diverse and range from industrial machinery to aerospace. The successful completion of the technology transfer process shall enable an Indian startup to manufacture the alloy for the first time in India for global customer base.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. S Radhakrishnan, Director, Directorate of Industry Interface & Technology Management, DRDO, said, 'the successful transfer of DRDO developed Copper-Titanium technology is a testament of the commercialization potential of research done at DMRL, for metallurgy. With the successful completion of the technology transfer process, we are hopeful to see the technology being employed in wider application areas. The technology transfer shall enable the licensee, M/s Pahwa MetalTech Pvt Ltd, to manufacture the Copper-Titanium alloy for the first time in India.

With close to 100 MoUs for technology transfer signed till date under its aegis, the DRDO FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialization (ATAC) platform has provided an impetus to the 'Make in India' initiative by enabling private sector players to acquire DRDO technologies and manufacture for wider applications and customer base.

Mr. Lalit Kumar Pahwa, CEO & MD, PMTPL said, "As a startup, PMTPL is very excited and to launch this 'Made in India' technology for the world. We thank the DRDO FICCI ATAC programme and the teams at DMRL, DRDO and FICCI for their support in helping us come thus far. We are proud to launch an exciting technology that shall have application in several sectors of the economy and will contribute to the Make in India initiative of our PM," Mr Pahwa said.

The Hindu Business Line | Jul 06, 2016

DRDO transfers alloy tech to Pahwa

The DRDO has transferred its indigenously developed copper-titanium technology to Pahwa Metal Tech Pvt Ltd, a Pune-based start-up founded by industry veteran Lalit Kumar Pahwa. Pahwa Metal will manufacture the alloy for various applications. The transfer was made under the DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialisation initiative. The technology — to make a copper-titanium alloy using air induction and vacuum induction melting — was developed at the Defence Metallurgical Research Lab here.

Business Wire India | Jul 06, 2016

DRDO Completes the Technology-transfer of its Proprietary Copper-Titanium Alloy Technology to a Pune-based Startup under the DRDO-FICCI ATAC Program

DRDO recently concluded a technology-transfer process for its indigenously developed Copper-Titanium technology to Pahwa MetalTech Private Limited (PMTPL), a Pune-based startup founded by industry veteran, Mr. Lalit Kumar Pahwa. The technology transfer exercise was completed under the aegis of the DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialization (ATAC) initiative. Coinciding with the launch of the ‘Startup India’ initiative by the Hon’ble PM of India on the 16th January 2016, a MoU was exchanged between DRDO & PMTPL to start the technology transfer process.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. S Radhakrishnan, Director, Directorate of Industry Interface & Technology Management, DRDO, said, ‘the successful transfer of DRDO developed Copper-Titanium technology is a testament of the commercialization potential of research done at DMRL, DRDO’s premier research lab for metallurgy. With the successful completion of the technology transfer process, we are hopeful to see the technology being employed in wider application areas. The technology transfer shall enable the licensee, M/s Pahwa MetalTech Pvt. Ltd., to manufacture the Copper-Titanium alloy for the first time in India.

Mr. Nirankar Saxena, Senior Director, FICCI observed, ‘With close to 100 MoUs for technology transfer signed till date under its aegis, the DRDO FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialization (ATAC) platform has provided an impetus to the ‘Make in India’ initiative by enabling private sector players to acquire DRDO technologies and manufacture for wider applications and customer base’.

Mr. Lalit Kumar Pahwa, CEO & MD, PMTPL noted, ‘as a startup, PMTPL is very excited and to launch this 'Made in India' technology for the world. We thank the DRDO FICCI ATAC programme and the teams at DMRL, DRDO and FICCI for their support in helping us come thus far. We are proud to launch an exciting technology that shall have application in several sectors of the economy and will contribute to the Make in India initiative of our Hon’ble PM'.

Press Trust of India | Aug 23, 2015

DRDO ties up with Ramdev to market supplements

India's premier defence research organisation DRDO has now roped in yoga guru Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurveda Limited to manufacture and market in the country and abroad some herbal supplements and food products developed by it.

DRDO today entered into licensing agreements with Ramdev's company for transfer of Seabuckthorn technology based products developed by Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR).

The technology has been transferred under the DRDO FICCI ATAC (Accelerated Technology Assessment&Commercialisation) programme that has been established to identify spin-off technologies for commercial markets within India and abroad, with a special focus on social benefit technologies, an official statement said.

DIHAR, a frontier laboratory of DRDO which is located in Leh with detachments in the strategic Siachen sector has pioneered cold arid-agro animal technologies for augmenting local availability of fresh food in the region.

The laboratory, through its translational laboratory to land approach, develops technologies for fresh food cultivation, poultry, goat and dairy farming and green house cultivation which are disseminated to the local farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said seabuckthorn is a unique product.

"Apart from what has been commercialised, there are many more applications which Patanjali Ayurveda could explore to exploit the full potential of Seabuckthorn," he said.

Parrikar wanted Patanjali Ayurveda to bring many more health products to exploit the full potential of the technologies beyond what DIHAR has found out.

He added that DRDO in collaboration with FICCI under DRDO FICCI ATAC programme is striving to commercialise more and more spin off technologies for the benefit of society at large.

DRDO Chief S Cristopher mentioned that DIHAR has been relentlessly working for development of products which in addition to their usefulness for Armed Forces has tremendous commercial potential in India and abroad.

"The benefits of the research done by DIHAR will help the local population to derive the economic benefits," he said.

While giving an overview, Bhuvnesh Kumar, Director, DIHAR said that the farmers adopt the technologies developed by his scientists and sell their produce to the army.

"This unique approach not only results in local availability of fresh food but also results in socio-economic development of Ladakh and stronger civil-military cooperation in this strategically important region," the statement quoted him as saying.

Business Standard | Jul 13, 2015

FICCI-World Bank join hands to advance Millennium Alliance

Industry body FICCI today announced a partnership with the World Bank to advance the Millennium Alliance (MA) initiative.

The MA seeks to identify and scale up innovative solutions being developed and tested by social enterprises in India that can improve access to services for poor and under-served populations across India and the world.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI and Onno Ruhl, India Country Director, World Bank.

The MoU formalised a shared commitment to support solutions that provide sustainable last mile delivery to populations at the base of the pyramid in healthcare, sanitation, education, clean energy and agriculture.

"FICCI and the World Bank have come together in a knowledge partnership to promote the replication and scaling up of innovative approaches in service delivery across South Asia and Africa regions.

"The World Bank will bring global experience and incubate these new and inclusive approaches for bringing services to the poor.

"The partnership will facilitate dialogue between social enterprises and governments so that solutions can be scaled up to under-served populations under the government's priority programmes," FICCI said in a statement.

In this, the World Bank's engagement will be led by the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD).

"The MoU provides a framework to engage private sector in key development initiatives. Collaborations on Swachh Bharat, development of social enterprises, South Asia trade and knowledge exchange with Africa will get immediate focus," said Onno Ruhl, Country Director India, World Bank.

FICCI and the World Bank's partnership is dedicated to promoting the mobility of skilled labour, enhancing safe and legal migration, and ensuring ethical transnational recruitment practices.

Potential areas of collaboration include the study of demographic changes and migration; the study of remittances, including access to finance and capital markets; and mobilising the diaspora as agents of social and economic change.

In terms of MoU, both FICCI and the World Bank anticipate that their collaboration will focus on areas, including research and analysis of pilot activities in priority areas of health and/or sanitation, and identifying and operationalising mechanisms for replicating/scaling up the benefits of social enterprise at the sectoral level.

Express Pharma | Jul 13, 2015

FICCI-World Bank join hands to advance 'Millennium Alliance' initiative

To support solutions that provide last mile delivery in healthcare, sanitation, education, clean energy and agriculture to base of the pyramid population

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the World Bank has announced their partnership to advance the Millennium Alliance (MA) initiative. The MA seeks to identify and scale up innovative solutions being developed and tested by social enterprises in India that can improve access to services for poor and underserved populations across India and the world.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI and Onno Ruhl, India Country Director, World Bank. The MoU formalised a shared commitment to support solutions that provide sustainable last mile delivery to populations at the base of the pyramid in healthcare, sanitation, education, clean energy and agriculture.

FICCI and the World Bank have come together in a knowledge partnership to promote the replication and scaling up of innovative approaches in service delivery across the South Asia and Africa regions. The partnership will facilitate dialogue between social enterprises and governments so that solutions can be scaled-up to underserved populations under the government’s priority programmes.

Besides the Millennium Alliance programme, the agreement also provides for FICCI and the World Bank to work together to enhance private sector engagement in global migration policy and promote the generation and synthesis of knowledge on migration issues. In this, the World Bank’s engagement will be led by the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD).

Reportedly, FICCI and the World Bank’s partnership aims to promote the mobility of skilled labour, enhancing safe and legal migration, and ensuring ethical transnational recruitment practices. Potential areas of collaboration include the study of demographic changes and migration; the study of remittances, including access to finance and capital markets; and mobilising the diaspora as agents of social and economic change.

In terms of the MoU, both FICCI and the World Bank anticipate that their collaboration will focus on a number of substantive areas, which include, but will not be limited to:

Identifying social enterprise innovations in India through FICCI’s “Millennium Alliance” competition and supporting capacity development activities.
Researching and analysing innovative pilot activities in the priority areas of health and/or sanitation, and identifying and operationalising mechanisms for replicating/scaling up the benefits of social enterprise at the sectoral level.
Generating and synthesising knowledge on migration issues for the benefits of countries worldwide, including the creation and dissemination of a menu of possible policy choices based on multidisciplinary knowledge and evidence – based research.
Enhancing private sector engagement on migration issues, establishing strategic partnerships, and engaging with Government of India and industry to promote policy cohesion in addressing growth of industry and business through joint initiatives related to international migration and labor mobility.
Framing KNOMAD and FICCI’s efforts to promote portability of skilled labour migration, safe and legal migration, and ethical recruitment initiatives, and to inform policy makers in the interest of industry, business and migrants.

“From sectoral cooperation to a flexible framework agreement brings the World Bank and FICCI to a new development opportunity which we are excited about”, said Dr Singh.

“The MoU provides a framework to engage private sector in key development initiatives. Collaborations on Swachh Bharat, development of social enterprises, South Asia trade and knowledge exchange with Africa will get immediate focus”, said Ruhl.

siliconindia News | Jul 13, 2015

World Bank, FICCI Join Hands For Innovation Solutions

In order to leverage Indian creativity, expertise, and resources to identify and scale innovative solutions, the FICCI and the World Bank on Monday announced their partnership to advance the Millennium Alliance initiative.

"The MA is an inclusive platform to leverage Indian creativity, expertise, and resources to identify and scale innovative solutions being developed and tested in India to address development challenges that will benefit base of the pyramid populations across India and the world," an official statement said.

The agreement was signed by FICCI secretary general A. Didar Singh and World Bank country director Onno Ruhl to formalize a shared commitment to support sustainable and scalable innovative solutions in the identified priority areas of sanitation, education, and healthcare, clean energy and agriculture.

The World Bank and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry have come together in a knowledge partnership to support the development of the social enterprise sector in India, and to promote replication and scale of the social enterprise innovations across the South Asia and Africa regions.

The MA was launched in July 2012 jointly by the Technology Development Board; United States Agency for International Development and FICCI to recognize India's role as a global innovation laboratory, by identifying, testing and scaling solutions that leverage private and public sector resources and expertise to reduce the cost and increase the reach of development improvements in India and around the world.

Hindustan Times | Oct 01, 2014

Colony to get its first public toilet on Oct 2

Valmiki Colony will get its first public toilet by October 2. What's more, it will be eco-friendly.

Workers are currently busy giving finishing touches to the toilet which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit on October 2 as part of his Swachch Bharat Mission.

Built by the National Building Construction Corporation Ltd, the toilet came up within seven days and is made of recycled material. Its design is based on the technology developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with FICCI.

"Such a toilet needs at least 20 days to come up. The entire 280 sq feet structure is made of agro waste. We have made two toilets for women. They contain a sanitary pad insulator. There are two western toilets for men. There are two waterless urinals as well,” explained Aditya Sakhuja, director, Grandeur Solution Private limited, which has got the contract.

The toilet, which has come up across the main road, is equipped with energy-efficient LED lights that run on solar power. The toilet is maintenance-free and does not even need a sewage system. All the waste is stored in a sealed fermentation tank processed by bacteria. The process converts the waste into water, carbon dioxide and methane gas. The water is purified and is used for flushing and gardening purpose.

DRDO originally developed the technology as an alternative for human waste disposal for the armed forces deployed at high-altitude locations and glaciers. A similar technology is also being used by Indian Railways.

Business Line | Nov 23, 2013

'Health record system thru Aadhaar'

Aadhaar card could serve as a platform for innovations in the health sector by facilitating creation of a national portable health record system that can help monitor epidemics and drug efficacy, UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani said on Friday. Nilekani was speaking at the Indo- US Startup Accelerator Workshop organised by FICCI, Department of Science and Technology and the US Embassy. “You may travel; somebody may have an ailment in one town and they may go to a doctor in another town, they may switch their service providers. So, basically, you need a way to have mobility to have electronic health information. That is something we think that can be done using the Aadhaar card because you can just link your electronic health record to your ID and then keep that on the card and wherever you go you can authorise that particular party ( who is building the record system) to use your health record for the purpose of medical care or diagnosis,” he said.

Deccan herald | Nov 23, 2013

Aadhaar may be used to create health record

Aadhaar card could be used to create a national portable health record system that can help monitor epidemics and drug efficacy, UIADI chairman Nandan Nilekani said on Friday.

He was speaking at ‘Indo-US Startup Accelerator Workshop’ jointly organised by FICCI, Department of Science and Technology and the US Embassy.

“A possible innovation in the health sector is creation of digitalised health records of individuals, which could be linked to Aadhaar card,” said Nilekani.

“You may travel, somebody may have an ailment in one town and they may go to a doctor in another town, they may switch their service providers. So basically you need a way to have mobility to have electronic health information,” he added.

“That is something we think that can be done using the Aadhaar card because you can just link your electronic health record to your ID and then keep that on the card and wherever you go you can authorise that particular party (who is building the record system) to use your health record for the purpose of medical care or diagnosis," he said.

He said that the system could be beneficial and effective because of the volume of an individual's health history.

“Healthcare reform is very difficult to do because of massive and complex system. You need to keep people's healthcare record electronically because health records could be voluminous because you have X-Rays, MRIs and ultrasounds to be stored and you have to do digitally,” Nilekani said.

Business Standard | Nov 23, 2013

Innovative MoD initiative to clear production policy bottlenecks

A new and unconventional mechanism holds genuine promise for easing the private sector’s entry into indigenous defence production.

On Saturday, at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) here, the Minister of Defence (MoD)’s procurement chief — Director General (Acquisitions) Satish B Agnihotri — and a group of senior MoD officials will meet with private sector defence heads, discussing and resolving their difficulties.

This will be the third such meeting of this informal, but highly effective, forum. Agnihotri instituted this outreach after making the unprecedented decision to resolve private industry structural problems in face-to-face meetings at the IDSA on Saturdays.

Since the private sector was allowed into defence production in 2001, policy hurdles, discriminatory taxation regimes and organisational bias in favour of the public sector have placed structural hurdles before private companies hoping to benefit from India’s enormous defence market.

“For the first time in a decade, we are beginning to feel like we are not talking to a wall,” says Rahul Chaudhary, co-chief of FICCI’s defence committee and chief executive officer of Tata Power (SED).

Achievements of the Saturday Forum include the issue last week of a tender for four Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), giant 21,000-tonne helicopter carrying ships that will be built by India’s private sector in consortium under the “Buy & Make” (Indian) category. Also initiated last week was a project for building a Battlefield Management System under the “Make” procurement category.

Private industry chiefs say that individual problems are not discussed during the Saturday meetings — only issues that relate to the entire industry. For that reason, the private sector representation is restricted to industry bodies CII, FICCI and Assocham.

“If private companies come and meet me one-on-one, it sometimes spells trouble for me,” said Agnihotri at a FICCI function on Thursday evening. “So I would rather meet with industry bodies.”

Agnihotri says his plan for creating a role for the private sector has centred on small, sustainable steps rather than spectacular policy changes. Like many officials and industrialists who are adopting Tendulkar similes, Agnihotri uses one to illustrate the bureaucratic and political difficulties in making bold changes.

“Defence has certain peculiar characteristics… the outfield is slow. If you just keep waiting to score boundaries, I’m sorry but you will not score very much. The trick lies in singles and twos, which one can take,” he says.

This Saturday’s meeting will be Agnihotri’s last, as he has been transferred out on promotion as secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. On the agenda are measures for giving MSMEs a larger role in defence production.

“One man has made a substantial difference in a very short time. We hope this initiative continues,” stated Jayant Patil of L&T, who handles research and development in FICCI’s defence committee.

First Post | Nov 22, 2013

Aadhaar can help in creating national health record system: Nandan Nilekani

Aadhaar card could serve as a platform for innovations in health sector by facilitating to create a national portable health record system that can help monitoring epidemics and drug efficacy, UIADI chairman Nandan Nilekani said today.

Speaking at “Indo-US Startup Accelerator Workshop” organised by FICCI, Department of Science and Technology and the US Embassy, Nilekani said a possible innovation in the health sector is creation of digitalised health records of individuals, which could be linked to Aadhaar card.

He said Aadhaar card can help in creating national portable health record system.

He said the system could be beneficial and effective because of the volume of an individual’s health history. “Healthcare reform is very difficult to do because of massive and complex system. You need to keep people’s healthcare record electronically because health records could be voluminous because you have X-Rays, MRIs and ultrasounds to be stored and you have to do digitally.”

He, however, cautioned that this system should ensure that privacy of an individual is not encroached upon. “We need to make sure that the information is private and therefore a person should have a control on his own health record and they should be deciding whether the health record should be recorded with somebody else,” he said.

Nilekani said the system can also be used to study medical trends like epidemics and drugs efficacy. “This will also help in big data analysis in epidemics, pandemics and drug efficacy and therefore we need to analyse this big data behaviour. So you need to have this health records, but with sufficient privacy constraints so that information is available for this kind of non-personal information for analysis,” he said.

He noted that there are several other sectors in which Aadhaar card could be used. He noted that so far around 48.5 crore UIADIs have been issued and by March 2014, some 60 crore UIADIs could be issued. He informed that more than 20 million transactions have taken place using the Aadhaar card this year.

Siliconindia News | Nov 22, 2013

Indo-U.S. Startup Accelerator Flagged Off

U.S. Embassy flagged off the Indo-U.S. Startup Accelerator workshop today. The event is being organized in partnership with the Department of Science & Technology, the Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and 91springboard. It will take place November 22-23rd, at FICCI, Federation House, New Delhi. Attendance at this workshop is by invitation only, reports India Education Diary.

The startup workshop featuring 25 speakers and 170 entrepreneurs will be inaugurated by U.S. Ambassador Nancy Powell, Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority (UIDAI) of India Nandan Nilekani, and Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology Dr. T Ramasami.

The event is part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, started on 18 November. The U.S. Government believes that sharing entrepreneurial spirit contributes to bilateral goal of boosting business ties between India and the United States.

The one and half day workshop will have the conventional ingredients of the startup accelerators. It will bring together startups, aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, angel investors and venture capitalists from across the country to brainstorm and debate on challenges that a startup faces.

The U.S.-India joint ventures are currently focusing on supporting entrepreneurship in both the countries. The U.S.-India Science & Technology Endowment Board, a bi-national initiative with joint funding of $30 million, provides seed-capital grants of up to $400,000 to promising innovations in areas of health and empowering citizens. For more, visit http://indo-us-acceleratorworkshop.com/ for additional information.

The New Indian Express | Aug 07, 2013

Window of opportunity for defence research

Commercial application of defence research has been one of the lofty aims of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). For reasons which are all too obvious, there has been no headway in this regard, so much so that it remains almost fully funded by the Centre. It is against this backdrop that its achievement in entering the global market with one of its products should be seen. Under a technology transfer agreement, an explosive detection kit developed by DRDO will be manufactured and marketed in the US and other parts of the world by a South Carolina-based firm. It is the first DRDO-developed product to be sold globally.

This success, however humble it may be, seems to have given the DRDO enough encouragement to think in terms of commercially exploiting the products it has developed over the years. It has been busy discussing with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the rollout of 50 more DRDO-developed technologies for the international market. By the way, it was FICCI which introduced the explosive detection kit to the US manufacturer. It is too early to say how the two bodies would be able to exploit the commercial potential of these technologies. Suffice it to say that sky is the limit.

In the US and other western countries, defence manufacture is an important component of industry. For instance, Boeing has a defence wing manufacturing fighter planes for the US air force. Today India is the world’s largest importer of defence goods, which is not exactly a compliment. It is a matter of satisfaction that the country has been making waves in the global satellite launching market. The DRDO was set up primarily to end India’s dependence on foreign defence equipment manufacturers. Until it is able to develop newer technologies, get patents so that they can be sold in the international market and thereby reduce its dependence on the government, it cannot be said to have achieved success.

The Indian Express | Aug 06, 2013

Kitting them softly

Perhaps for the first time ever, technology developed in an Indian defence laboratory has been licensed for production in the US, world leader in investment in military research. The explosive detection kit developed by a Pune lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, which is compact, cheap and easy to use in field conditions, will be supplied to the US military and Homeland Security. This is being described as a "reverse technology transfer".

The DRDO has always had varied interests. Some are dual-use like food preservation, convenience foods, materials technology, an acoustic detector for locating people buried under rubble, and a water filter that removes arsenic. Its food technology has helped companies like MTR venture into the ready-to-eat sector, but only one product, an energy juice made from sea-buckthorn designed for troops stationed at high altitudes, ever became a well-known brand in the marketplace. In contrast, the US defence research establishment has created technologies that are beyond brands — phenomena like the internet and GPS, for instance. Work continues in diverse fields, some only incidentally related to defence — biofuels, highly scalable mobile communications, systems integrity assurance in communications equipment, wider deployment of fibre optics, low-power computing using on-chip heatsinks and the man-machine interface.

From the Cold War era, when the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency was a major funder, spin-offs of defence research have steadily trickled into civilian markets. But in India, defence research has proceeded on a smaller scale and its fruits have been indifferently commercialised. The licensing of the explosive detection kit, facilitated by FICCI, is the first major success in a programme to accelerate commercialisation, and an international market for India's defence technology is no longer unimaginable.

The Asian Age | Aug 04, 2013

DRDO’s mini bomb tracer a hit in US

In a first of its kind of reverse technology sharing between India and the US, an innovative Explosive Detection Kit developed by Indian scientists would be manufactured in America and sold globally for quick detection and identification of combinations of explosives.

The India-developed US-manufactured Explosive Detection Kit (EDK) was launched at the US Chamber of Commerce building in Washington — a block away from the White House on Friday.

This was probably for the first time that technology developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation was being manufactured and marketed in the US, officials and industry partners said.

“We are hoping that (technology transfer) would be a two way street,” former United States defence secretary William S. Cohen said, adding that this is a significant step.

He described it as a very “excellent example” of reverse technology transfer.Being commercialised as part of a programme called DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialisation (ATAC), the two sides have entered into a Licensing Agreement with a US based-firm Crowe and Company of South Carolina for manufacturing the Kit.

Business Line | Aug 03, 2013

US to manufacture, market DRDO’s Explosive Detection Kit

The India-developed US-manufactured Explosive Detection Kit (EDK) was launched at the US Chamber of Commerce building in Washington — a block away from the White House yesterday.

This was probably for the first time that technology developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) was being manufactured and marketed in the US, officials and industry partners said.

“We are hoping that (technology transfer) would be a two way street,” former US Defence Secretary William S Cohen said, adding that this is a very significant step. He described it as a very “excellent example” of reverse technology transfer.

Being commercialised as part of a programme called DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialisation (ATAC), the two sides have entered into a Licensing Agreement with a US based-firm Crowe and Company of South Carolina for manufacturing the Kit.

Developed by a constituent DRDO laboratory, High Energy Material Research Laboratory in Pune, the EDK is developed for quick detection and identification of explosives based on any combination of nitro-esters, nitramines, trinitrotoluene, dynamite or black powder.

The test results can be obtained in two-three minutes in field conditions as well as in laboratory conditions at ambient temperature. One of the salient features of the Kit is its ability to detect combinations of explosives in IEDs.

Plastic explosives based on RDX fail to be detected by most electronic detectors, but EDK being a chemical-based kit can efficiently detect plastic explosives.

The Kit is portable, cost effective and can be used in both pre-blast and post-blast scenarios even in contaminated conditions. It is being used by bomb detection and disposal squads of the Army, paramilitary forces and police in India.

“It marks an important milestone in the process of evolution of the India-US Strategic Partnership,” Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao said, adding that this reflects the next frontier in co-operation, which would involve technology, innovation in the field of defence.

The event reflects the fact that the Indian defence research institutions have emerged world class, nation building technologies and solution providers for many global problems, she added.

Zee News | Aug 03, 2013

India's DRDO launches explosive detection kit in US

It looks like a little pocket sized cigar box, but it packs a mighty punch in the fight against terrorism. And now this nifty explosive detection kit, developed by the India's Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), is all set to play its part in the US too.

Widely used in India by bomb detection squads and the armed forces since 2002, the handy kit would be manufactured and sold in the US and other parts of the world by Summerville, South Carolina-based Crowe and Company LLC under a technology transfer agreement.

"We are planning to introduce the EDK to the US Army and US homeland security forces and in other international markets after getting necessary approvals from the US regulatory institutions," said Fay Crowe, CEO and president of the company.

A few drops of four reagents contained in four vials can detect explosives based on TNT, RDX, dynamite, and black powder within minutes with no more than 3 to 5 milligrams of the suspected sample. It also does not require field calibration, power or peripheral devices.

Besides the wallet sized disposable kit for covert and military operations, it's also available in vanity sized field cases for law enforcement and bomb squads. And personnel can be trained in its use in just a couple of hours.

A team of Indian scientists led by DRDO Director General, Avinash Chander, the chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missiles, was at hand for the global launch of the edk at a function at the US Chamber of Commerce here Friday.

Chander was upbeat over first of DRDO developed products getting globalised with the transfer of Indian technology to the US which not long ago looked at the DRDO "as a very reluctant supplier".

DRDO is now talking to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI), which was instrumental in the launch of EDK in the US, for the roll out of 50 more DRDO-developed technologies for the international market under the DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment Commercialisation programme.

Significance of the launch of India developed edk in the US was also not lost on the audience made up of US defence bigwigs, including former US defence secretary William Cohen, who hoped that such technology transfer would soon become a two way street.

The launch of edk in the US was significant in more ways than one, said the Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao describing the transfer of technology developed in India to the US as "an important milestone in the process of evolution of India-US strategic partnership."

The Times of India | Aug 03, 2013

Indian scientist's cigar box-sized bomb detector to play vital role in fight against terrorism in US

Reny M Roy, the Indian scientist who developed this technology, said that the EDK kits have been successfully used in preventing several terrorists' attacks and even immediately detecting the type of explosive used in the event of a bomb blast.

The German Bakery blast is one of such instances, she pointed out.

"It is an analytical tool which can avert disaster. This little box can work as a pre-blast analytical tool and as a post-blast investigative tool," Roy said, adding that they have now also developed a pocket size use and dispose explosive detection kit.

A team of Indian scientists led by DRDO director general, Avinash Chander, the chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missiles, was at hand for the global launch of the EDK at a function at the US Chamber of Commerce here Friday.

Chander was upbeat over first of DRDO developed products getting globalised with the transfer of Indian technology to the US which not long ago looked at the DRDO "as a very reluctant supplier".

DRDO is now talking to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI), which was instrumental in the launch of EDK in the US, for the roll out of 50 more DRDO-developed technologies for the international market under the DRDO-FICCI accelerated technology assessment commercialisation programme.

Describing this as a first DRDO product which is getting globalised, Avinash Chander, its Director General, said DRDO has identified 50 similar non-sensitive technologies for their global commercialisation in partnership with FICCI.

Terming it as an important milestone, he said this signifies a maturing of relationship between the two countries.

"EDK story demonstrates that the technology transfer between India and the US can (be) two way particularly with the innovative low cost products in both civil and defence segment finding many more opportunities, many more applications," Chander said.

"This is a small step, but without doubt a very significant step for both the countries. I am sure in the coming years we would have many more success stories sharing together," he said.

"It is a partnership between government, private sector companies and an industry association," said Didar Singh, FICCI Secretary General.

"I believe that industry associations such as ours can't merely be lobby groups. We have to actually get into development," he said.

Fay Crowe, president of Crowe and Company, which has established its manufacturing base in South Carolina said that the US Army, the Department of Homeland Security and other American law enforcement agencies are in the evaluation process.

"This kit has a much better field deployable position than other items. We have just signed an agreement with a US company to take the technology to South America. The technology would be presented to the Columbian Defense Ministry and to Panama and across the world," Crowe said.

It is India which holds the patent on the technology, and Crowe has paid an unspecified amount to commercialise it in the US and would also pay royalty on the EDK kits sold.

"Yes", she said when asked if Boston bombings could have been prevented if the technology was available in the US at that time.

"I believe that it could have been deployed in Boston and with proper training if the kits were in use...at large events, it would every easy to implement a posture where you can detect explosives," she said.

DNA | Aug 03, 2013

India's DRDO launches explosive detection kit in US

Widely used in India by bomb detection squads and the armed forces since 2002, the handy kit would be manufactured and sold in the US.

Chander was upbeat over first of DRDO developed products getting globalised with the transfer of Indian technology to the US which not long ago looked at the DRDO "as a very reluctant supplier".

Business Standard | Aug 03, 2013

US to manufacture, market DRDO's Explosive Detection Kit

The India-developed US-manufactured Explosive Detection Kit (EDK) was launched at the US Chamber of Commerce building in Washington - a block away from the White House yesterday.

"We are hoping that (technology transfer) would be a two way street," former US Defence Secretary William S Cohen said, adding that this is a very significant step. He described it as a very "excellent example" of reverse technology transfer.

Being commercialised as part of a programme called DRDO- FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialisation (ATAC), the two sides have entered into a Licensing Agreement with a US based-firm Crowe and Company of South Carolina for manufacturing the Kit.

Plastic explosives based on RDX fail to be detected by most electronic detectors, but EDK being a chemical-based kit can efficiently detect plastic explosives.

"It marks an important milestone in the process of evolution of the India-US Strategic Partnership," Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao said, adding that this reflects the next frontier in co-operation, which would involve technology, innovation in the field of defence.

The event reflects the fact that the Indian defence research institutions have emerged world class, nation building technologies and solution providers for many global problems, she added.

The Hindu | Jun 08, 2013

USAID replicates Fazilka model of farm implements' library

In its effort to deal with food shortages, especially in the African continent, the US Agency for International Development has begun replicating the Fazilka "affordable mechanisation through pay-for-use model" of developing libraries of agricultural implements, to deal with the peculiar issues of those countries.

The Fazilka connection has happened after the model which was developed by local commerce graduate from a farmers' family, Vikram Ahuja about six years ago, recently caught the attention of the USAID through the FICCI. The USAID, which has a three year "feed the future" programme in Sub-Saharan countries, has tied up with Mr Ahuja's Zimindara Farm Solutions (ZFS) to build a cadre of African agricultural specialists trained in different aspects of development, mechanisation and commercialisation of the agriculture.

Second team of the Africa Lead project that is being managed by the Development Alternatives Incorp (DAI) for the USAID, is currently in India to study Mr Ahuja's model. The ZFS, which has now operations in about 500 villages in western districts of Punjab, Haryana and northern Rajasthan, through its own call centres and network of franchisees, loans out agricultural machines and implements that may vary from different sizes of tractors to precision planters, reversible mouldboard ploughs, bailers or harvesters. This has contributed in reducing the cost of production, increasing the yield and augmenting farmers' incomes as well as curtailing indebtedness.

Mr Ahuja explains that ZFS works as all-needs agricultural equipment company that also provides maintenance and parts, leases equipment with trained operators, establishes satellite enterprise village centres, provides training on best agronomic practices, optimum equipment use and also farm economics. It also links farmers to extension services and training capsules through video-conferencing with university and research facilities.

Through a communication, the Chief of Party for Africa Lead, David Tardif-Douglin, who also co-ordinates the Fazilka program, the story of the African farmer is quite similar to his Indian counterparts as agriculture there too was based on small holdings. “Farmers lack access to agricultural mechanisation to improve productivity and expand their production base,” he says highlighting lack sufficient resources to purchase the necessary agricultural equipment.

One the of members from the Africa Lead delegation, Felix Temu from Tanzania was of the opinion that the Fazilka model would go a long way to transform agriculture in about three dozen African countries, which have been striving to move away from subsistence farming to sustainable agriculture.

Similarly, Nicholas Nabende, who is a manager for new business, vehicle and asset finance in Uganda's Stanbic Bank would want to promote the hire option to help farmers back home save on bad loans. He plans to work on re-structuring future agriculture leases and finance based on agriculture seasons and not monthly basis.

Sam Rubagumya, who is a managing director, with an agro-industrial house in Rwanda would seek to promote the Fazilka model that provides agricultural mechanisation services to small holding farmers growing maize and soybeans. The rental services for farm machinery, equipment and tools along with technical advice, service, maintenance and procurement of spare parts would improve farm profitability through higher yields.

The Hindu | Jul 13, 2012

India, U.S. join hands to promote innovation

India has joined hands with the U.S. to promote innovation in India. Called ‘Millennium Alliance’, the unique initiative will provide grassroots innovators with essential resources such as seed funding, business incubation services, networking opportunities and technical assistance to solve development problems, particularly in the areas of basic education and food security.

Launched in public-private partnership mode, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have decided to contribute $7.7 million each to fund the initiative, while the Indian government’s Technology Development Board will also pump in $5 million. USAID and FICCI target to raise an additional $35 million to the fund new initiative by mid-2013, bringing the total amount leveraged to at least $50 million.

“The Millennium Alliance will leverage Indian creativity, expertise, and resources to support and scale innovative solutions to development problems that will benefit populations across India and the world…the Alliance will also facilitate innovators’ access to equity, debt and other capital,” said US Ambassador to India Nancy J. Powell.

She pointed out that the Alliance recognised India’s role as a global innovation laboratory in which development innovations can be tested, nurtured, scaled, and private as well as public sector resources and expertise leveraged to reduce the cost and increase the reach of development improvements in India and around the world.

The Alliance will also test technologies developed in India for providing cheap and effective solutions that could be deployed in other developing countries, particularly in Africa. The focus sectors of the Alliance are basic education, water and sanitation, family planning and reproductive health, maternal and child health, agriculture and clean energy.

Financial Chronicle | Jul 10, 2012

FICCI-Usaid fund to back social entrepreneurs

Industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), department of science & technology and United States Agency for International Development (Usaid) launched “Millennium Alliance” on Tuesday.

A platform for bringing together social impact funds, venture capitalists, angel investors and others, Millennium Alliance will support social entrepreneurs to build solutions for people at bottom of the pyramid who face significant development challenges.

Social entrepreneurship refers to the recognition of a social problem and the use of entrepreneurial skills to form social ventures that achieve the desired change. While social ventures are mostly voluntary or non-profit, the idea does not entirely preclude making a profit.

Apart from launching the Millenium Alliance website, FICCI announced the first call for applications inviting Indian innovators to apply for grants to develop and scale their innovations. The grants will be awarded at the initial stage where entrepreneurs will have to furnish proof of concept and financial, administrative and technical viability. Grants will also be awarded to entrepreneurs who want to scale their ventures to serve sufficiently large number of people.

FICCI and Usaid hope to raise $50 million for the Alliance by mid-2013. While FICCI will match Usaid’s contribution of $7.7 million, they together hope to raise $35 million for the fund. This is in addition to $5 million pledged by the technology development board (department of science and technology) during US secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s visit to India. T Ramasami, secretary, department of science and technology, said, “the Alliance intends to identify breakthrough innovations that achieve development outcomes for the base of the pyramid populations more effectively, more cheaply, more broadly and in a shorter period of time”. He added that social inclusion was the main objective behind the Millenium Alliance.

Nancy Powell, US ambassador to India, said the launch of the alliance added a new chapter to the US-India relationship as the “countries worked together to confront some of the greatest development challenges of our time”.

The Hindu | Jun 25, 2012

‘Bapu’ bio-toilets set to be the new frontier in rural sanitation

Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday announced that his Ministry would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Defence for installation of bio-toilets in 1000 gram panchayats across the country. It would go a long way in improving sanitation in rural India, Mr.Ramesh said.

The project will be implemented in coordination with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at a cost of Rs. 400 crore, which will be provided by the Union Rural Development Ministry, Mr. Ramesh said.

Speaking at a function organised for launching of the bio-digester technology pilot project at a village here, Mr. Ramesh applauded the role of DRDO scientists in developing the bio-toilets, which are based upon bio-digester technology. He suggested that the bio-toilets could be named ‘Bapu’, as the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi had always stressed on sanitation in rural areas of the country.

The Union Minister also underlined the need for involving gram panchayats, women’s self-help groups, and non-government organisations in helping people to set up these toilets in their homes, and maintain them.

Speaking about the Central government’s Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan total sanitation programme, Mr. Ramesh expressed hope that all gram panchayats in the country will be able to achieve total sanitation in 10 years.

The function was jointly organised by DRDO and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) where Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation Srikant Jena inaugurated the pilot project in the presence of Mr. Ramesh.

Mr. Jena thanked DRDO and FICCI for launching the project under which six such bio-toilets have been set up in the 60-km stretch of the Jhamjhadi-Dhamra Road. Thousand such bio-toilets will be set up in villages on both sides of the road as part of DRDO’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to prevent open defecation.

V.K. Saraswat, Director-General of DRDO and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister said that national security and the country’s prosperity were like two sides of a coin and DRDO will do its best in both fronts as both were equally important. DRDO was engaged in identifying relevant technologies for national security and adapt the same to solve the problems faced by the common man, he said.

Both Mr. Ramesh and Mr. Jena also visited Wheeler Island off the Dhamra coast, where DRDO conducts test-fires of long range missiles from time to time.

Asian Age | Jun 25, 2012

Ramesh inaugurates bio-toilets

Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday announced to undertake installation of bio-toilets in at least 1,000 gram panchayats in the country with an investment of `400 crores.

Mr Ramesh, while attending the bio-toilet inaugural function organised by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Dhamra in Bhadrak district, said the newly-developed toilets would prove immensely beneficial for the civilians, mainly in rural areas, besides developing missiles.

“The benefit of this technology can bring a significant change in the quality of life of people, especially in rural areas, and help them lead a healthy life through proper sanitation,” he said.

The bio-toilet jointly developed by DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior, and Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur, was inaugurated by Union minister of state for statistics and programme implementations, chemicals and fertilisers Srikant Jena.

Bio-toilet uses the bio-digester technology (BDT). The technology was first used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh.

Adapted for use in all terrains, the bio-toilets degrade and convert human waste into usable water and gasses in an eco-friendly manner.

The effluent coming out of these toilets is odourless and harmless and can be used for gardening and irrigation, they said.

“The DRDO, which had been focusing on developing missiles, aircraft and other weapon systems, has now come out with bio-toilets using a unique technology. My ministry is committed to improve sanitation facility in rural areas across the country by promoting the use of this bio-toilet system,” Union rural development minister Mr Ramesh said.

Business Standard | Jun 25, 2012

Centre to fast track Dhamra road project

The Centre would take steps to expedite the process of sanctioning funds for Bhadrak-Dhamra road widening project taken up at an investment of around Rs 160 crore, said Srikant Jena, Union minister of state for statistics, programme implementation and chemicals & fertilizers.

“Union minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh has agreed to pursue the matter with the surface transport ministry, where the proposal of the Odisha government has been lying for some time. We will take steps to ensure speedy clearance of funds for the project,” Jena said here while inaugurating a rural sanitation programme .

The 82-km route is key to Dhamra port which is expected to carry a lot of iron ore traffic in the future. The road also connects to the missile launching centre of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at Chandipur near here, where Agni missile was test-fired recently.

Under the coastal road development project, the Central government provides 90 per cent of the fund for th project and the rest is borne by the state government. This scheme is meant for connecting major ports, minor ports and logistics parks.

Meanwhile, Jena took a dig at the state government’s delay in acquiring land for several private and government projects in Odisha. “It would be better if the state government starts acquiring land in advance in the Dhamra area so that when the funds gets released , the road widening process would begin soon,” the minister asserted.

Ramesh, who was also at Dhamra to inaugurate the village sanitation project, said his ministry and DRDO would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) soon to introduce easily decomposing human waste toilets or bio-digesters in 1,000 gram panchayats.

“We have a mission to make 1,000 gram panchayats as “Nirmal panchayats” by introducing such toilets, which have been developed by DRDO. We have earmarked Rs 400 crore for the rural sanitation project,” he said.

Bio-Digester technology has been developed by DRDO at its Defence Research & Development Establishment- Gwalior and Defence Research Laboratory-Tezpur (Assam).

The process involves using a specialized bacteria imported from Antarctica, which consumes the faecal matter inside the tank, through anaerobic process and finally degrades the matter, releasing methane gas that can be used for cooking, along with the treated water.

For the rural sanitation programme, Bhubaneswar-based consulting firm- CTRAN Consulting has been providing technical advisory services. To commercialize its technologies, DRDO and industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) have entered into an agreement, which will make available more than 250 technologies in the market.

The New Indian Express | Jun 25, 2012

DRDO launches green toilets, Govt sets high target

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday launched its much-hyped Bio-digester, christened as bio-toilets from Dhamra near the Wheeler Island test facility from where it used to test launch long-range missiles like Agni and AAD interceptors.

Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation and Chemicals and Fertilizers Srikanta Jena and Minister for Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Ramesh jointly inaugurated the pilot project implemented by the DRDO in collaboration with Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Appreciating the efforts of DRDO for developing the spin-off technology, Ramesh said the bio-toilets are no less important than the Agni missile as providing proper sanitation to the people of the country is the biggest challenge now.

“Over 60 percent people in India still prefer open defecation due to non-availability of toilets. While out of 2.40 lakh Gram Panchayats only 10 percent GPs are declared as Nirmal Panchayats, the figure is dismal in Odisha where only 280 GPs are Nirmal Panchayats out of 6300,” he said.

Other states, which feature in the list that lack adequate sanitation facilities, include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. “Even countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan are above us as far as sanitation is concerned. There will be Agni in our house if we do not have toilets. It is easy to develop Agni but not make people use toilets. We may have missiles like Agni, but we are not safe until we are healthy and clean,” Ramesh said in a lighter note.

The union minister said Sikkim is the only state where all citizens have access to toilets. “Kerala will soon be the second one in the country and we aim to make all the GPs in the country Nirmal Panchayats within next 10 years under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan scheme. Earlier we were providing Rs 3500 to each BPL family to set up toilets. Now it has been enhanced to Rs 10,000 to each family irrespective of their economic background. Besides, we have decided to hold the panchayats responsible if people fail to install toilets within a fixed deadline,” he added besides suggesting the DRDO to rename the project ‘Bapu’ after Mahatma Gandhi as he had led cleanliness drive in the country.

Comparing the allocation of funds to the Rural Development and Defence, Ramesh said the budget of rural development department is Rs 99,000 crore while double the amount is spent on defence activities with a budget of Rs 1,93,000 crore. "I do not want any decrease in the budget of the Defence Ministry, but it should be ensured that an equal amount be spent for public welfare. Agni is of no use when we have no toilets," he maintained.

Next week, the Rural Development ministry will sign a MoU with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to produce eco-friendly toilets. Initially, the DRDO has decided to set up the bio-toilets in 1000 GPs across the country and the RD ministry would spend nearly Rs 400 Cr for the purpose.

Earlier the DRDO and FICCI had entered into a MoU for DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialisation (ATAC) programme, which aims at commercialising the cutting edge technologies developed by DRDO for civilian applications. The toilets cost only Rs 15,000 each and is cheaper if built for clusters. While it would be a totally Centre-sponsored project, a beneficiary have to give only Rs 900.

The Bio-digester, named as ELOO (eco-friendly loo) is the Indian solution to the global problem. It is the perfect alternative to the current ‘Flush and Forget’ toilets. It is expected that bio-toilets can save billions of dollars for any government in waste management and to ensure good health for all.

The Bio-digester technology has been developed by Gwalior based Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) and Tezpur based Defence Research Laboratory (DRL). The technology was used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh. The ELOOs can effectively function in extreme conditions and temperature ranging from - 6 degree C to 50 degree C.

The innovation degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gasses in an eco-friendly manner. The generated gas can be utilized for energy/cooking and water for irrigation purposes. The process involves the bacteria, which feed upon the fecal matter inside the tank, through anaerobic process, which finally degrades the matter and releases methane gas that can be used for cooking, along with the treated water.

Speaking on the occasion Jena suggested for initiating a model development programme (MDP) of bio-digester toilets in the entire north east region of Odisha under the pilot project to cater to the needs of people in the districts like Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj which can be replicated in other regions of the country.

“While the government is supporting such initiatives, private sector also needs to rise to the occasion and participate in the social cause through their corporate social responsibility. This technology developed for the first time in the world can be solution to the global sanitation problem,” the minister observed.

DRDO chief and Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister V K Saraswat said national security and country’s prosperity goes hand in hand and DRDO will do its best in both fronts, as both are equally important. “The launch of bio-digester is important than the launch of Agni. DRDO is engaged in identifying relevant technologies and adapt to solve the problems faced by ‘Aam Admi’ through innovation,” he told.

Highlighting the technical aspects, Chief Controller for Life Sciences and International Cooperation at DRDO W Selvamurthy stated the bio digester technology is an innovative and cost effective solution for a mega problem of water pollution and health hazard due to open defecation.

“The benefit of this technology can bring a major change in the quality of life and help to lead a healthy life across the world. The government has requisitioned 12,000 units for 10 islands in Lakshwadeep and the Railways 10,000 units for trains to make the tracks clean,” he added.

Ramesh later visited the Wheeler Island missile test facility of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) and interacted with the scientists. Among others, his secretary R Vineel Krishna, RD department secretary S N Tripathy, director of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and TRIPTI Usha Padhee, Director of Industry Interface and Technology Management S Radhakrishnan, FICCI Director Nirankar Saxena and founder of Gram Vikash organization Joe Madiath were present.

The Pioneer | Jun 24, 2012

DRDO tech-based bio-toilets unveiled at Dhamra

A bio-toilet based on Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Bio-Digester technology was inaugurated by Union Minister of State, Statistics and Programme Implementation, Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Jena in the presence Union Minister of Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Ramesh here on Sunday at a function organised by DRDO and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Earlier, DRDO and FICCI had entered into an MoU for ATAC programme that aims at commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies for civilian applications.

The technology has been developed DRDE, Gwalior and DRL, Tezpur, two constituent laboratories of DRDO. The technology was used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh. Subsequently, the technology has been developed for resolving the problems of un-decomposed human waste in plain areas as well. The innovation degrades and converts the waste into usable water and gasses in an eco-friendly manner. The generated gas can be utilised for energy/ cooking and water for irrigation purposes.

Addressing the function, Minister Jena said a substantial chunk of rural population does not have even a proper space to defecate. He appreciated the efforts undertaken by DRDO and FICCI.

Initially six twin Bio-Digester toilets (1 male+1 female) in 90 km stretch of Jhamjhadi- Dhamra are proposed to be setup and gradually in the next phase around 1,000 toilets are proposed to be commissioned in the State, he said. He requested Minister Jairam Ramesh for initiating a model development programme of Bio-Digester toilets in the entire north east region of Odisha under the pilot project to cater to the needs of people in Mayurbhanj, Baleswar, Jajpur, Keonjhar and Bhadrak.

At the same time, Jena requested for people’s participation for upkeep, maintenance and long term usage of the toilets. He also urged the private sector to rise to the occasion and participate in the social cause through their CSR programme.

Minister Jai Ram Ramesh assured his Ministry is committed to improve sanitation facilities in rural areas.

Highlighting the technical aspects and features of Bio-Digester technology, CC R&D (LS&IC) Dr W Selvamurthy said, “The bio digester technology is an innovative and cost effective solution for a mega problem of water pollution and health hazard due to open defecation. The effluent of the bio digesters is odorless, harmless and could be used for gardening and irrigation as well.”

Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister Dr VK Saraswat said, “National security and country’s prosperity go hand in hand and DRDO will do its best in both fronts as both are equally important.”

Industry Interface and Technology Management, DRDO Director S Radhakrishnan said, “DRDO Bio Digesters can save billions of dollars for any Government in waste management and ensure good health.”

FICCI Director Nirankar Saxena said FICCI is committed to work with DRDO and other industries to bring the social impact technologies available for the common man.

Business Line | Feb 15, 2011

From the battleground to the kirana store

While our bravehearts guard the country's borders, ever ready to battle any aggressor, they need someone to fight mosquitoes. A request from the armed forces to find a safe and effective solution against mosquitoes, leaches and other insects they encounter in the inhospitable terrain they operate in has been met by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

After two decades of research, the organisation finally found the answer to eliminate mosquitoes. The scientists at Defence Research Development Establishment (DRDE) in Gwalior developed a new molecule, Diethyl Phenyl Acetamide (DEPA), to ward off mosquitoes. The product being used by the armed forces for some years has now been transferred for commercial production.

The DRDO has selected Jyothy Laboratories Ltd to manufacture DEPA and formulations based on it for commercial application, under the supervision of the DRDE.

“The fact that this technology has been effective for our armed forces for years, adds to its credibility,” said Mr M.P. Ramachandran, Chairman and Managing Director, Jyothy Laboratories Ltd.

Research for the formula had begun in 1983. Detailed studies were carried out on the toxicology, safety and bio-efficacy of DEPA. The formula has also been included in Indian Pharmacopoeia.

Under the aegis of a programme spearheaded by DRDO-FICCI-ATAC, it was decided to commercially manufacture DEPA for civilians.

After discussions between members of DRDO and industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, it was decided that Jyothy Laboratories Ltd will be able to carry out the commercial manufacture of DEPA and bring out multi-insect repellent in various formats.

Affordable Price

A company official said that they will bring out the products at an affordable price and market them for the mass market. The products will be for sale in India and abroad.

“Ever year many invaluable lives are lost due to various insect transmitted diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunia, yellow fever, and elephantiasis. We are pleased to have the opportunity provided to us by the DRDO to make the product,” said Mr Ramachandran.

Times of India | Feb 15, 2011

DRDO develops mosquito repellent cream

Despite criticism that it should restrict itself to only areas of strategic importance or high-tech weapon systems, DRDO continues to press on regardless in other areas as well. The latest enemy on its radar screen is the humble mosquito.

The DRDO on Monday handed over a "world-class'' multi-insect repellent developed by it, dubbed `Maxo Military' and `Maxo-safe & soft', to a private firm for commercial production under the "accelerated technology assessment and commercialisation programme'' in collaboration with FICCI.

"This cream is based on a uniquely configured, researched and tested molecule which acts like a decoy and cheats the mosquito. It does not allow mosquitoes to sense the presence of human blood in their vicinity,'' said DRDO chief controller Prahlada.

While basically developed for Army soldiers posted in far-flung insect-infested areas, the "powerful Diethyl Phenyl Acetamide-based repellent'' will now be made available for the common masses. "Yes, high-tech systems are crucial but such things are also essential for our soldiers and others,'' said a DRDO official.

The cream will fool the mosquitoes as well as have a pleasant fragrance and not block skin pores. "It's non-toxic, non-irritant, cosmetically acceptable, long-lasting and effective not only against mosquitoes but also other blood-sucking organisms like leaches, sand flies, horse flies,'' he added.

The private firm's chairperson M P Ramachandran, in turn, said, "The cream has been developed keeping in mind the requirement of soldiers posted in forest and swampy areas. These soldiers are always susceptible to mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, chikungunya and dengue.''

The Pioneer | Feb 15, 2011

DRDO cream arms forces against mosquito

Responsible for developing frontline weapon systems, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also takes care of basic problems faced by our men on the ground, like mosquitoes which can bring down soldiers with malaria and dengue.

Standing guard in the dense jungles of North-East and naxal-infested pockets of some State and swamps of Rajasthan, the soldiers face this enemy day in and day out and the security forces have to devise ways like “sleeves down” order after sunset to prevent mosquito’s bites. Soldiers have to roll down their shirt sleeves after sundown besides several other measures like mosquito nets to beat the “dreaded enemy.”

The DRDO has now come out with ‘Maxo Military’ and ‘Maxo Safe and & Soft Wipes,’ mosquito repellant cream. It has a pleasant fragrance and will not block your skin pores, Prahlada, Chief Controller, Research and Development (DRDO) said on Monday while launching the product.

Financial Chronicle | Feb 15, 2011

DRDO launches mosquito repellent cream

It has been developing missiles and state-of-the-art equipment for the armed forces, but the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is now ready to take on the oldest human enemy-mosquitoes-that are vectors of diseases like malaria, and dengue with a new insect-repellent cream.

Launching the ‘Maxo Military’ and ‘Maxo Safe and & Soft Wipes’, DRDO said the cream will fool mosquitoes, have a pleasant fragrance and will not block skin pores-a common with such products.

“This cream is based on a uniquely configured, researched and tested molecule. It does not allow mosquitoes to sense the presence of human blood in their vicinity,” said Prahlada, chief controller (R&D) of DRDO.

The artificially developed molecules in the cream interfere with the sensory mechanism of the mosquito and stop it from biting people.

The product will be manufactured and marketed by Jyothy Labs, which also holds the license to sell it outside the defence forces.

The first of its kind mosquito repellent has been developed under a special technology commercialisation programme signed between the DRDO and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). DRDO and FICCI signed for the Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialisation (ATAC) programme in 2009 and have commercialised more than 20 products for mass production by the private industries.

“The cream has been developed keeping in mind the requirement of soldiers posted in forest and swampy areas. These soldiers are always susceptible to mosquitoborne diseases like malaria, chikungunya and dengue,” said MP Ramachandran, chairman and managing director, Jyothy Labs.

Based on Diethyl Phenyl Acetamide (DEPA) technology, the product has gone under a series of advancements after its initial launch a few years ago.

Talking about the advance researches in mosquito repellent creams, Prahlada said, “Mosquito repellent creams block the skin pores by sticking to it, and do not allow the skin to breathe. But this wipe does not block the skin pores, allowing it to breathe with a good fragrance. It gives a smooth and comfortable feeling just like that of a facial cream or a moisturiser.”

Besides Indian army, the cream will also be supplied to the central paramilitary forces (CPMF) which are engaged in border policing and naxal-infested areas.

PBD | Feb 15, 2011

DRDO takes on mosquitoes, launches repellent

It has been developing missiles and other state-of-the-art equipment for the armed forces, but the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is now ready to take on the oldest human enemy - mosquitoes - that are vectors of diseases like malaria, and dengue with a new insect repellent cream.

Launching the 'Maxo Military' and 'Maxo Safe and & Soft Wipes,' DRDO said the cream based product will fool the mosquitoes, will have a pleasant fragrance and will not block your skin pores - a common problem with such products.

The artificially developed molecules in the cream interfere with the sensory mechanism of the mosquito and stop it from biting the humans.

Research and developed by DRDO, the product would be manufactured and marketed by Jyothy Laboratories Limited which also holds the license to sell it outside the defence forces.

The first of its kind mosquito repellent has been developed under a special technology commercialisation programme signed between the DRDO and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

DRDO and FICCI signed for the Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialisation (ATAC) programme in 2009 and have successfully commercialised more than 20 products for mass production by the private industries.

"The cream has been developed keeping in mind the requirement of soldiers posted in forest and swampy areas. These soldiers are always susceptible to mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, chikungunya and dengue," said M P Ramachandran , Chairman and Managing Director, Jyothy Labs.

Technology Commercialization

Timeline

Aug, 2022

Facing the unseen barriers: Addressing Challenges faced by Women in Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Mathematics (STEM)

Aug, 2021

Virtual Roadshow for AIIP and AIRTF

Nov, 2020

Global R&D Summit 2020

Sep, 2020

Deep Tech for Good in Asia

Innovation Partnerships for Shared Prosperity, South-South Cooperation Day

Aug, 2020

Awards Ceremony: Millennium Alliance Round 6 and Covid-19 Innovation Challenge

FICCI Global Start-up Summit

Jul, 2020

International workshop on Energy Technology and Sensor Systems (TENSYS- 2020)

Virtual launch of the Indo-Russia Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme

India-US: Synergies in Digital Health

Jun, 2020

Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics: Game changers for Regional Collaboration

Apr, 2020

Webinar on How Science, Technology & Innovation can help India lift out of the Covid-19 Pandemic through Public-Private Partnership

FICCI-TDB Webinar on Funding Opportunities for Start-ups/SMEs for Indigenous Technology Commercialization

Jan, 2020

NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance

Nov, 2019

FICCI and BSE sign MOU to develop Business Acceleration Ecosystem for SMEs

MoU signing between FICCI and IIT Kanpur for fostering the innovation and start-up ecosystem

Launch of Community Bio-Digester toilet and Drinking water facility in Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Oct, 2019

Roundtable Discussion with USAID Afghanistan Delegation

Jul, 2019

India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 - Awards Ceremony

India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0: Innovators Competition Track 1

Jun, 2019

5th Cohort of Xlr8AP , an initiative of Govt of Andhra Pradesh, FICCI and IC2 Institute at University of Texas, Austin

May, 2019

FICCI Technology Led Business Delegation to the United States

Apr, 2019

Millennium Alliance workshop for startups and social enterprises

Mar, 2019

IBAC workshop of Additional Chief Secretary MSME and IC&E, Managing Director WBIDC & FICCI with the State District Industrial Center and Export Promotion Council

Feb, 2019

Interactive Meeting on FICCI ICMR HTAC Program

2019 Edition Launch of the India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0

Interactive Meeting on Millennium Alliance, Water Resource Group & Government of Netherlands collaboration for Hindon River Rejuvenation

Rountable discussion with University of Cambridge

Bengal Innovation Business Acceleration center at Bengal Global Business Summit 2019

Jan, 2019

FICCI-CIRF Roundtable on Fostering Entrepreneurial and Innovation Activities

Dec, 2018

India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) 2.0 - Demo Day 2018

Nov, 2018

India ASEAN InnoTech Summit: Accelerating Towards Innovative Development

FICCI-ICMR workshop on converting research into value through technology transfer and commercialisation

Oct, 2018

MILAP Self Help Group's Business Delegation to USA

Interactive meeting with Hon'ble Minister Mr. Imnatiba, Govt of Nagaland

India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme (IRIGP) Awards Ceremony

Sep, 2018

LevelNXT Roadshow in Bengaluru

A Roundtable to Share ideas innovations & insights on south-south collaboration for development impact

FICCI Technology Led Business & Start-up Delegation to Australia & New Zealand

Aug, 2018

FICCI partnering with PwC for LEVELNXT program

Launch of MILAP: a Joint Initiative of FICCI and MSRLM, Government of Maharashtra

Interaction with Mr. Chris Daniels, CEO Whatsapp

Technology Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship Information Service (TIME IS) Idea to Investment Entrepreneurship Workshop

FICCI signs MoU with - West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. to provide business with the expertise and resources to nurture, scale and expand through incubation acceleration and export promotion support

India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 Award Ceremony

Jul, 2018

Blockchain Innovation Summit

Jun, 2018

XLr8AP Phase 2 Agreement Signing Ceremony between FICCI and Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society, Govt of Andhra Pradesh

Meeting with Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India

1st "Business Accelerator and Capacity Building" Workshop of the India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Programme (IRIGP)

May, 2018

Millennium Alliance Innovation Concalve

Discussion on Collaboration Opportunities with President, NASSCOM

Meeting with Senior Officials of Swachh Andhra Mission