Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Jan 8: The BioNEST Bioincubation Centre of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), in collaboration with IIIM’s Technology Business Incubator (IIIM-TBI) organised the “Innovative X 1.0 – Awareness Campaign” under the Mission YUVA initiative, here today.
Scores of students from local colleges, farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs from across the region participated in the programme, reflecting the growing interest in biotechnology-driven enterprises in J&K.
The event was inaugurated by the chief guest, Shahzad Alam, Managing Director, Mission YUVA and Director, Employment and Skill Development Department, J&K.
He explained Mission YUVA to the audience, outlining clear pathways for Nano Enterprises, MSMEs and Neo-Innovative Enterprises, particularly for knowledge-driven startups.
“You now have a clear platform, If you want to start something, you know where to go and how to proceed,” he said, encouraging participants to apply for the Neo-Innovative Enterprises scheme through the Mission YUVA portal.
Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu and Chairman, IIIM-TBI, in his message said that CSIR-IIIM remains committed to fostering innovation-led entrepreneurship by creating a robust ecosystem that integrates scientific research, technology development, and enterprise creation.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Saurabh Saran, acknowledged the leadership and guidance of Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu.
The participants gained insights into Mission YUVA from Gauri Deoli, representative of the Mission.
She explained Mission YUVA’s vision of transforming J&K into a vibrant entrepreneurial hub, built on four key pillars, Culture, Capital, Capacity and Connectivity.
The event also featured inspiring startup pitching experiences from four entrepreneurs including Vikrant Dogra, Chairman, Unati Foundation, shvanku, CEO, Herbal Aura, Sandeep Razdan, Chairman, Sarnas OPC Pvt Ltd and Dr Swamy, Founder, Crop-Domain Pvt Ltd.
On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Crop-Domain Pvt Ltd and IIIM-TBI.
The collaboration aims to foster innovation, technology development, and entrepreneurship in the agricultural biotechnology sector.
Following this, startups, students and ecosystem partners were felicitated for their contributions.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Vidushi Abrol, Business Manager, IIIM-TBI and the event moderator.
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