Atal Incubation Centre Sikkim launched at SMIT

ISABELLA GURUNG
GANGTOK: Governor Ganga Prasadinaugurated the Atal Incubation Centre Sikkim- Manipal University Technology Business Incubation (AIC-SMUTBI) at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT), Majhitar near Rangpo today.
The event had the presence of State Education minister KungaNima Lepcha, AIM NITIAayog mission director R. Ramanathan, State chief secretary S.C. Gupta, Education ACS G.P. Upadhyaya, Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) vice-chancellor M.D. Venkatesh,State government officials, entrepreneurs and students of ATLs from across Sikkim.
AIC-SMUTBI is the first AIC in the entire north-east region, envisioned as one of the 100 world-class incubators of the Central government and fully supported by NITIAayog under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). It aims at supporting entrepreneurs and to build an ecosystem for start-ups.
Currently, there are 14 start-ups from across North-East India incubated at AIC-SMUTBI.Thecentre nurtures and supports early stage entrepreneurs of underserved region by providing infrastructure, consultancy and seed grants to promising young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams of starting their own ventures.
The first Cohort for Acceleration in Sikkim, in collaboration with the State Commerce and Industries department and Let’s Venture, Bengaluru were also launched during the event.
Addressing the function, the Governor appealed the youths of Sikkim to take full advantage of AIC and make the best use of the facility at their doorstep. He thanked NITIAayog and the Central government for supporting the cause in Sikkim and congratulated SMU for establishing a world-class facility.
Prasad mentioned about the Start-Up India and Make in India, the visions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and added that the youth potential of the country is enormous and will definitely make India the leader in the world soon. He also highlighted on the vibrant research and innovation environment that has kick-started in India.
Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha expressed his happiness in witnessing school students and parents in the function. The future of Sikkim seems to be moving in the right direction and I am greatly motivated with this response, he added.He congratulated SMU on the establishment of AIC-SMUTBI and expressed delight in seeing the outcomes of the facilities.
Sanjay Jha, PrajaktRaut and PriyankaAhuja of Let’s Venture highlighted the importance of the facilities in Sikkim, where job creation is of utmost importance due to remote location and highly limited resources.
AIM NITIAayog mission director R. Ramanathan reiterated the huge potential of the youth workforce in India. “In order to bring out the potential of the students, we have to promote a strong ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship that shall bring out their potential and give them a platform where they can showcase their ideas and innovations,” he said.
He also mentioned about the current government’s initiative in establishing 5,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in 662 districts of India, out of which more than 36 ATLs are in Sikkim. He also highlighted the guidelines for budding entrepreneurs.
An open-house session was conducted by Ramanathan with parents, entrepreneurs and ATLs on entrepreneurship as an engine for job creation. The vision of AIM was shared on the occassion.
The end note session by AbhisekRungta, president, TiE, Kolkata and an angel investor on impact of digital marketing saw an overwhelming response by the participants during the interaction.