AIM SUMVAAD in Indore Launches State Incubator Alliances for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog, successfully hosted the Regional AIM SUMVAAD – Central India Edition in Indore, bringing together government, industry, academia, incubators, and startups to strengthen collaboration and build a robust innovation ecosystem. The conclave also launched state incubator alliances in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Event Highlights

• Venue: Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, Madhya Pradesh
• Participants: Stakeholders from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, startup councils, incubators, CSR partners, and industry leaders
• Focus Areas: Strengthening State–Centre collaboration, building incubator networks, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, accelerating innovation

Key Outcomes

• Launch of State Chapters: Madhya Pradesh Incubation Consortium and Thar Incubation Alliance (Rajasthan)
• Strategic Dialogues: Scaling state-led innovation initiatives, enhancing academia-industry collaboration, enabling innovation-driven growth
• Special Sessions: Building effective people and culture in incubation centres, shifting models “From Grants to Growth”

Leadership Insights

• Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, AIM: “Incubators are the cornerstone of a thriving startup ecosystem, transforming ideas into scalable ventures.”
• Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore: India is moving from a service mindset to a science mindset, requiring patient capital and deep research.
• Viraj Bhanage, Director, RRCAT: Incubators play a vital role in supporting startups and fostering collaboration.
• Dr. Abha Rishi, MP Startup Centre: Incubators are the beating heart of the startup ecosystem, crucial for sustainable innovation.

Broader Context

• AIM Reach: Over 100 incubators and nearly 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs across India
• Startup Growth: From 350 startups to over 200,000, generating 21,000+ jobs
• National Priorities: Focus on bio-manufacturing, biotechnology, DeepTech, aligned with Viksit Bharat vision

Significance

• Strengthens regional innovation ecosystems in Central India
• Builds state-level incubator alliances for sustained collaboration
• Positions incubators as engines of entrepreneurship and innovation-driven growth

Key Stakeholders Present

Name	Designation	Organization
Deepak Bagla	Mission Director	Atal Innovation Mission
Himanshu Rai	Director	IIM Indore
Viraj Bhanage	Director	RRCAT / AIC π-Hub
Dr. Abha Rishi	Executive Head	Madhya Pradesh Startup Centre
Sandeep Gupta	Director	CFA Institute India

In essence, AIM SUMVAAD – Central India Edition has emerged as a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and collaborative action, reinforcing India’s commitment to nurturing startups and innovation-led development.