With the support of Yogi government, IIT Kanpur has emerged as a major startup hub of the country. There are 521 startups active in SIIC. Innovation is being promoted in areas like manufacturing, defence, drones, AI, clean energy, due to which Uttar Pradesh is getting huge benefits.
Lucknow. It is the result of the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that Uttar Pradesh is today making its strong identity as the country’s leading startup ecosystem. In this direction, the role of IIT Kanpur, which is among the most prestigious technical institutes of the country, has become very important. Now IIT Kanpur is not limited to just education and research, but it is emerging as a strong startup and innovation hub that will guide the economic future of the country.
521 startups in SIIC, making UP the innovation capital
Currently 521 startups are active in the Startup Incubation and Innovation Center (SIIC) located at IIT Kanpur. These startups are not only proving their technical capabilities, but are also emerging as economic drivers of the country and the state. Also, these efforts are helping to establish Uttar Pradesh as the new innovation capital.
According to Professor Deepu Philip, in-charge of the Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, Design Program and SIIC, IIT Kanpur, the Yogi government is continuously taking concrete steps regarding the startup sector and in the coming time, UP will become a big startup hub.
Innovation gained momentum due to policies of Yogi government
The startup ecosystem of IIT Kanpur is getting direct and strategic support from the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Yogi government’s startup-friendly policies, easy funding system and strong infrastructure have given a new impetus to innovation here. This partnership between the government and the institute has made IIT Kanpur a platform where ideas are directly connecting with the industry and market.
IIT Kanpur itself plays the role of mentor
IIT Kanpur is a unique incubation center in the country, which not only provides space and resources to startups, but also plays the role of a mentor. According to Professor Deepu Philip, a faculty mentor is appointed for every startup here.
Startups get a complete support system from technical guidance, business modeling, product development, market access and connecting with investors. For this reason, the startups here move forward with a strong base in the initial stage itself.
Manufacturing and production based startups will be given priority.
Startups especially related to manufacturing and production are being promoted in the incubation center of IIT Kanpur. In line with the vision of Make in India and self-reliant India, ideas from these sectors are being converted into big businesses –
- Semiconductor
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Hardware and Electronics
- defense production
- drone technology
- Agri-Tech
- clean energy
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Advanced Manufacturing
Many startups today are targeting a market worth thousands of crores of rupees and creating employment on a large scale. Drones made by a startup involved in drone manufacturing at the IIT Kanpur campus were also used in Operation Sindoor. Startups here played an important role even during Covid-19.
Startups from any corner of the country can apply
Professor Deepu Philip explains that the incubator of IIT Kanpur is not limited to any one state. Startups from any part of the country can apply here. The selection is based solely on the quality of the idea, technical capability and business potential. For this reason, the startup network of IIT Kanpur has become recognized at the national level today, from which Uttar Pradesh is getting the biggest benefit.