As innovation takes centre stage, Techno India launches eastern India's first Atal Incubation Centre

Atal Innovation Mission is a flagship initiative of Niti Aayog, which advocates a culture of innovations across various sectors. Under this initiative, Kolkata is now home to the region's first incubation centre, strengthening West Bengal's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Dr. Swapan Dasgupta, Minister-in-Charge, Finance Department, Government of West Bengal said, "For the creation of an ecosystem whereby Bengal, which is so lacking in certain respects, manages to catch up and manages to incorporate some of the more bigger advances which at least, if not the world, at least the rest of India has been experiencing. That being the general idea, I think this lab is a very, very positive thing."

Techno India Group has consistently focused on advancing the city's technology and startup ecosystem. Keeping this vision in mind, the group launched a campaign focusing on, Make Calcutta Relevant Again. Supported by Niti Aayog, AIC Techno has already received around 200 startup applications and expects an even greater response over the next five years.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog said, "Innovation and entrepreneurship are among the strongest drivers of economic growth and employment generation. The launch of West Bengal's first Atal Incubation Centre marks a significant milestone in strengthening the state's innovation ecosystem and will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the platform and support needed to build globally competitive enterprises."

(L-R) Professor Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur; Dr. Swapan Dasgupta, Minister-in-Charge, Finance Department, Government of West Bengal; Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog; Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer of Techno India Group, Chief Mentor of AIC Techno and Founder of Make Calcutta Relevant Again at West Bengal's First Atal Incubation Centre by AIC Techno. Photo: Ditsa Dutta/IBNS

With a focus on fostering entrepreneurship to technology-led innovation, AIC Techno aims to serve as an incubation platform dedicated to transforming innovative ideas into scalable businesses. The centre was launched with the vision of nurturing entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers and changemakers while positioning West Bengal as a leading hub for innovation-driven growth.

Professor Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur added, "I would say for the last one and a half decade, thanks to our central leadership, we have got familiar with how a national drive in startups can impact the lives of the young people, including students, students in engineering and beyond. It is not about someone who is an established business person, it should be someone who is the future."

The inauguration took place in the presence of Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog; Dr. Swapan Dasgupta, Minister-in-Charge, Finance Department, Government of West Bengal; Professor Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur; Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer of Techno India Group, Chief Mentor of AIC Techno and Founder of Make Calcutta Relevant Again; and members of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Niti Aayog, Government of India.

Pauline Laravoire addresses the guests at West Bengal's First Atal Incubation Centre by AIC Techno. Photo: Ditsa Dutta/IBNS

"AIC Techno has been created with a vision to build an ecosystem where bold ideas are transformed into impactful enterprises. Our goal is to nurture more than 500 startups over the next five years by providing entrepreneurs with the right mentorship, infrastructure, industry partnerships and access to capital", added Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer of Techno India Group, Chief Mentor of AIC Techno and Founder of Make Calcutta Relevant Again.

AIC Techno intends to provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs through strategic mentorship, business advisory services, investor readiness, funding access, product validation, market linkages, legal and intellectual property support, corporate partnerships, workshops, masterclasses, business clinics and networking opportunities, strengthening West Bengal's innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

(Reporting by Aaheli Chakraborty, Images by Ditsa Dutta)