Assam inks pact with IIM Calcutta to promote startup culture in state

New Delhi, Sept 14 (KNN) With a view to strengthen the startup movement in Assam, Industries and Commerce Department of Assam has inked a pact with Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta's Innovation Park.

This MoU has been signed in connection with the running of operation and maintenance of startup Incubation centre.

A discussion on the Startup Policy and the role of educational institutions was also held in a bid to further facilitate upcoming startups in the state.

Industries and Commerce Department, Additional Chief Secretary, Ravi Capoor said that the Assam Government has recently launched a StartUp Policy and will soon inaugurate the StartUp Incubation Centre named Assam Hub at Ambari.

This centre will facilitate in translating new innovative ideas into reality and promote startup culture in the state, he added.

He said "Assam Hub will be an ignition of the start-up movement in Assam by way of providing office space, support services and other amenities." 

Commenting over this collaboration, the Department said “it intended to tie-up with educational institutions to form a pool which will become a reference point for the upcoming startups.”

In a statement, Department said that the the institutions will also scrutinize the proposals, as per the parameters laid by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), and give feedback to the Department. 

Besides, Capoor said that the government will provide a grant upto Rs 50 lakh per startup, which will include Rs 5 lakh for idea to proof of concept, and the rest of the grant will be utilized towards purchase of raw materials, marketing and cost of commercialization of products and services of startups. 

Also he stated that the department will soon launch a Startup Yatra – an awareness campaign in colleges of various districts to create a startup ecosystem in the state and generate an entrepreneurial mind-set among the students.

"The start-ups of Assam should be inclusive where the youths can leverage the strengths of the state and provide solutions within the society", he added.