“Himachal Pradesh Expands Startup Ecosystem with MoUs for New Incubation Centers”

“Himachal Pradesh Expands Startup Ecosystem with MoUs for New Incubation Centers”

In a significant move towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, the State Government of Himachal Pradesh has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Sirmour, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bilaspur. The Director of Industries, Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, represented the State Government during the signing ceremony, which took place in the presence of Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan.

The MoUs aim to onboard new incubation centers, with IIM Sirmour and AIIMS Bilaspur playing crucial roles in supporting and nurturing startups. The State Government, under the leadership of Industries Minister Chauhan, is keen on strengthening the startup ecosystem, and these partnerships bring the total number of incubation centers in the state to 14.

Harshwardhan Chauhan highlighted that IIM Sirmour will guide startups in strategy formulation, networking, market outreach, and other essential areas, while AIIMS will extend support to startups in the healthcare sector.

The Himachal Pradesh Government is actively taking steps to establish incubation centers, emphasizing their role in promoting startups, industrialization, and generating employment opportunities. Chauhan stressed the encouragement of setting up incubation centers within existing institutions to foster innovation and provide practical training opportunities for interns in industrial units.

Underlining the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, Chauhan mentioned the ‘Chief Minister’s Startup/ Innovation Projects/ New Industries scheme.’ This initiative aims to transform educated youth in the state from job seekers to job creators, promoting employment and facilitating the growth of startups.

Chauhan noted that incubation support is a crucial element for startups, and the government is open to collaboration with organizations for establishing incubators, whether through capital or operational expenditure.

The efforts of the Industries Department have garnered recognition, with Himachal Pradesh being acknowledged as the ‘Best Performer’ in category B states by the Department for Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India, on January 16, 2024. This achievement reflects the state’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for industrial growth and innovation.