CII Startup Panel explores collaborative ventures with IIT Jammu to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in J&K
JAMMU, May 22: In a significant move to strengthen the startup ecosystem and enhance industry-academia collaboration in Jammu and Kashmir, a delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) J&K Startup Panel visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu. The delegation, led by Convener Shivang Mahajan and comprising panel members Ayush Sawhney and Abhishek Sachdeva, held productive discussions with the leadership of IIT Jammu’s Innovation & Incubation Center (I3C).
During the visit, the delegation met with Lakhvinder Singh, Head of Incubation at I3C, and Akash Sharma, Manager at IC3 IIT Jammu, to explore potential avenues for collaboration aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship and driving innovation-led growth in the region. The interaction focused particularly on advanced sectors such as Robotics, 3D Printing, and Automation, which hold promising potential for startups and industrial advancement.
The discussions revolved around aligning the technical expertise of IIT Jammu with CII’s vast industry network, with the goal of accelerating the growth of startups through mentorship, technical guidance, and resource sharing. Both parties expressed keen interest in developing a structured framework to promote industry-driven research, entrepreneurial training, and technology transfer.
Following the meeting, the IIT team provided the CII delegation with a comprehensive tour of its cutting-edge research and innovation infrastructure. The delegation visited state-of-the-art labs, including the Robotics and 3D Printing Lab, and witnessed live demonstrations of student-led projects, including drone prototypes and automation systems currently under development at the center. The visit offered valuable insights into the breadth of innovation being fostered within the campus ecosystem.
The faculty at IIT Jammu conveyed a strong willingness to formalize the partnership by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CII J&K. They expressed openness to leveraging the industry experience of CII experts to guide and mentor their incubated startups, and proposed the development of tailor-made management and executive education programs to address the specific needs of CII members.
The CII delegation welcomed the proposal, recognizing the vast potential such collaborations hold in fostering an entrepreneurial culture among students and early-stage innovators in the region. The exchange of ideas and the spirit of cooperation between CII and IIT Jammu represent a vital step in building a robust startup ecosystem that can contribute to economic development, job creation, and technological self-reliance in Jammu and Kashmir.
This strategic engagement not only paves the way for interdisciplinary innovation but also strengthens the foundation for a long-term partnership aimed at transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a vibrant hub for research-driven entrepreneurship and industrial innovation.
