Minister Lauds IIT Ropar’s Boost to Agri Start-Ups

20 May 2025 CW Team

The minister stated that India’s start-up ecosystem is no longer confined to the IT sector or major cities. He hailed IIT Ropar’s role in nurturing high-potential Agri start-ups by transforming traditional sectors and applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “StartUp India, StandUp India” for democratising entrepreneurship.

Dr Singh noted India’s rise in the Global Innovation Index from 81st to 39th position, attributing the success to a surge in science and technology (S&T) start-ups, deep tech innovation, and Agri-tech. He added that under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), 70 per cent of funding would come from non-government sources, promoting stronger public-private collaboration.

He showcased the Purple Revolution—lavender cultivation initiated in Jammu & Kashmir—as an example of grassroots innovation now thriving in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. “Over 3,000 start-ups, many led by entrepreneurs without degrees, are now profiting from this niche sector,” he said. These ventures, he added, benefit from government support and direct market access to major perfume makers in Mumbai.

Recognising promising ventures under the Investment category, Dr Singh awarded:

Blu Cocoon Digital Pvt. Ltd.
Rezovate Constructions Pvt. Ltd.
Wawe Technologies
Biofield Power Pvt. Ltd.
Karmath Engineering Pvt. Ltd.

Dr Singh also launched several key initiatives during the event:

SPRINT – Haryana and Telangana Editions, to accelerate deep-tech innovation
PRAGATI Report, a strategic roadmap for inclusive innovation
Farming on the Edge Report, a thematic study of issues faced by small and marginal farmers
Office of Intellectual Property & Technology Commercialisation (OITC), aimed at boosting IP creation and monetisation for Indian start-ups

Touching upon India’s tech-enabled military capabilities, Dr Singh cited Operation Sindoor as a milestone in indigenous defence innovation involving both public and private sectors, particularly in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Calling for stronger industry-academia linkages, he encouraged students and parents to rethink conventional paths and embrace entrepreneurship. “Early exposure to industry is key to a successful start-up,” he said.

Smt Rekha Sharma, MP and former NCW Chairperson, highlighted the importance of inclusive innovation and greater participation of women in start-ups, while Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of DST, underscored India’s strategic advances in AI, cyber-physical systems, and other frontier technologies.

Dr Singh concluded, “As India races towards 2047, our foundation rests on innovation, inclusion, and intent—the pillars of our global ascent.”

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, has praised IIT Ropar for its contribution to promoting agricultural start-ups in smaller towns, highlighting the growing spread of innovation beyond India’s metropolitan areas. Speaking at the Pragati Founder Forum, hosted by IIT Ropar and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Dr Singh celebrated the fact that nearly 50 per cent of India’s start-ups now originate from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.The minister stated that India’s start-up ecosystem is no longer confined to the IT sector or major cities. He hailed IIT Ropar’s role in nurturing high-potential Agri start-ups by transforming traditional sectors and applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “StartUp India, StandUp India” for democratising entrepreneurship.Dr Singh noted India’s rise in the Global Innovation Index from 81st to 39th position, attributing the success to a surge in science and technology (S&T) start-ups, deep tech innovation, and Agri-tech. He added that under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), 70 per cent of funding would come from non-government sources, promoting stronger public-private collaboration.He showcased the Purple Revolution—lavender cultivation initiated in Jammu & Kashmir—as an example of grassroots innovation now thriving in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. “Over 3,000 start-ups, many led by entrepreneurs without degrees, are now profiting from this niche sector,” he said. These ventures, he added, benefit from government support and direct market access to major perfume makers in Mumbai.Recognising promising ventures under the Investment category, Dr Singh awarded:Blu Cocoon Digital Pvt. Ltd.Rezovate Constructions Pvt. Ltd.Wawe TechnologiesBiofield Power Pvt. Ltd.Karmath Engineering Pvt. Ltd.Dr Singh also launched several key initiatives during the event:SPRINT – Haryana and Telangana Editions, to accelerate deep-tech innovationPRAGATI Report, a strategic roadmap for inclusive innovationFarming on the Edge Report, a thematic study of issues faced by small and marginal farmersOffice of Intellectual Property & Technology Commercialisation (OITC), aimed at boosting IP creation and monetisation for Indian start-upsTouching upon India’s tech-enabled military capabilities, Dr Singh cited Operation Sindoor as a milestone in indigenous defence innovation involving both public and private sectors, particularly in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.Calling for stronger industry-academia linkages, he encouraged students and parents to rethink conventional paths and embrace entrepreneurship. “Early exposure to industry is key to a successful start-up,” he said.Smt Rekha Sharma, MP and former NCW Chairperson, highlighted the importance of inclusive innovation and greater participation of women in start-ups, while Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of DST, underscored India’s strategic advances in AI, cyber-physical systems, and other frontier technologies.Dr Singh concluded, “As India races towards 2047, our foundation rests on innovation, inclusion, and intent—the pillars of our global ascent.”

Infrastructure Urban

30 Aug 2025

Delivering metals in 24 hours with AI

India’s metal supply chain has long struggled with delays, fragmentation and lack of transparency, forcing purchase teams to chase vendors and juggle uncertain stock. Enlight Metals is tackling these inefficiencies with an AI-powered aggregation platform, multilingual voice-enabled procurement and strategically located dark stores that enable 24-hour delivery – transforming how OEMs, EPCs and infrastructure players source their metals. In a conversation with CW, Dhananjay Goel, Director, and Vedant Goel, Director, shares how the company is reshaping procurement. What problem..

Infrastructure Urban

30 Aug 2025

Silvin's CPVC Additive Gets NSF® Certification for Safety

Silvin Additives, a prominent manufacturer of PVC and CPVC additives, has secured the NSF® Guideline 533 certification for its CPVC Super1Pack formulation. This certification affirms the additive’s compliance with stringent international health and safety standards for products intended for drinking water applications.Awarded by NSF, a globally respected public health and safety authority based in Michigan, United States, the certification is granted only after rigorous product testing and inspection. NSF® Guideline 533 specifically assesses the safety of chemical ingredients used in produ..

Infrastructure Urban

30 Aug 2025

Mitsubishi Halts Offshore Wind Projects in Japan

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) has announced its decision to withdraw from three major offshore wind projects off the coast of Japan due to a significant shift in global business conditions. The projects were being developed through a consortium led by its subsidiary, Mitsubishi Corporation Offshore Wind Ltd., and were located off the shores of Noshiro City, Mitane Town, and Oga City in Akita Prefecture; Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture; and Choshi City in Chiba Prefecture.The company stated that following a review initiated in February 2025, it concluded the projects were no longer viable. The..