Innovation is an emergent property of a complex ecosystem that starts with the producers of knowledge scientists in universities and public research institutions. This pool of knowledge and skills is critical nourishment for innovation in the wider economy. Both Japan and the US have strong, robust, publicly funded research communities that produce the knowledge that corporations exploit. Indian academia is not producing the knowledge that the corporate sector can build upon.

The packed house at Google headquarters in Venice Beach was burbling with tension and anticipation as 14 company founders from a cross section of UCLA s entrepreneurial ecosystem prepared to compete in the inaugural Innovation Showcase, presented by the Venture Accelerator at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

ThoughtSol Infotech, under the visionary leadership of CEO Mr. Vinet Kuumar, has thrived over the past decade by embracing innovation, fostering an inclusive work culture, and prioritizing customer centricity. In an insightful interview with TimesTech, Mr. Vinet shares the company s strategies for staying ahead, achieving ambitious revenue goals, and exploring cuttingedge technological trends to enhance service offerings.

HNIs, UHNIs offer funding lifeline to startups HNIs and UHNIs invest in Indian startups, providing lifelines during the funding winter. Over 9,000 tech HNIs and UHNIs invest in preseed and Series A rounds. Indian tech startups raised $7 billion this year, a drop of 72% from last year. LPs believe in the Indian startup story. Lead investors play a crucial role in angel rounds.

Startup Odisha to foster strategic partnerships with industry giants like ICAI, NIF, ISBA and NRDC Startup Odisha to launch Startup Yatra Booklets and Brochure Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department, Government of Odisha is all set to celebrate the grand event STARTUP UTSAVV 2024, which is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the state’s spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Byjus, Dunzo and a bunch of other startups are in a standoff with some vendors, mostly over charges of delayed payments likely arising from mounting financial constraints within the ecosystem. These companies on their part deny the charges, in several instances accusing the vendors of straying from the terms of their contracts, or citing contractual disagreements for nonpayments.

Online tutor Byjus has agreed to a postmoney valuation of $225 million as it approaches existing investors for $200 million to stay afloat, two people aware of the matter said, a stunning decline from the $22 billion it commanded as the country s most valued startup just two years ago.

Layoffs, corporate restructuring, governance and most importantly profitability: The 14 Indian startups that plan initial public offerings (IPOs) this year are pulling out all the stops to ensure successful market debuts. A majority of these companies are not profitable, and they are cutting costs to improve their financial health.

Global exhibitor Messe Stuttgart India (MSI) on Monday announced its partnership with Startup India and will set up a separate pavilion for new ventures in its exhibition for logistics players next month, a statement said. The MSI is holding LogiMAT India exhibition at India Expo Mart Ltd, Delhi NCR, from February 28 to March 1. It is the satellite show of Europe s biggest intralogistics exhibition, LogiMAT Stuttgart, the statement said.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched two flagship programs, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors and India’s first Graphene Center India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG), at Maker Village Kochi in Kerala. MeitY Secretary Shri S Krishnan led the inauguration.

Union Minister Singh debunked the notion that only IIT graduates and IT professionals are eligible for startups, stating that the mindset has changed Union Minister Jitendra Singh, while highlighting that Jammu and Kashmir is rapidly emerging as an agricultural startup hub, urged local youth to become part of this ecosystem.

Insurtech startup Acko aims to achieve profitability by fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) on the back of its general and health insurance segment turning earnings positive, founder and chief executive Varun Dua said in an interview with investment bank UBS Global.

The trajectory of the India n pharmaceutical industry has been one of the most expansive and prosperous in the recent past. From embracing technological advances and incorporating them to driving the healthcare and pharma industry, India has been at the forefront of innovative practices that have rapidly led to achievements in the pharma sector, so much so that currently India is a global leader when it comes to manufacturing and supplying pharmaceuticals.

Switzerland based impact investor respons Ability on Monday announced that it will invest up to $25 million in EV ride hailing and charging provider BluSmart, as part of its $500 million climate investment strategy. This investment will help BluSmart in expanding its EV charging infrastructure across India, signifying a significant step in responsAbility s mission to mobilise capital and invest in solutions that generate positive societal and environmental impact in emerging markets, the company said.

Switzerland based impact investor respons Ability on Monday announced that it will invest up to $25 million in EV ride hailing and charging provider BluSmart, as part of its $500 million climate investment strategy. This investment will help BluSmart in expanding its EV charging infrastructure across India, signifying a significant step in responsAbility s mission to mobilise capital and invest in solutions that generate positive societal and environmental impact in emerging markets, the company said.

Indian EV Startup BluSmart Raises $25 Million From Swiss Investor responsAbility New Delhi 29January2024 Photo: IANS Switzerland based impact investor responsAbility on Monday announced that it will invest up to $25 million in EV ride hailing and charging provider BluSmart, as part of its $500 million climate investment strategy.

India’s thriving startup ecosystem is rapidly gaining global recognition, home to over 31,000 tech startups and 91 unicorns. This weekend, the innovative potential of the nation’s young entrepreneurs will be on full display at Silicon 24 India s first fully remote hackathon focused on catalysing artificial intelligence solutions.

The event showcased a number of forward-thinking startups run by bright young people from all around the nation. As per IIM Kashipur, A total of Rs 14.6 crores has been disbursed to startups under startup support schemes, out of which Rs 1.35 crores have been sanctioned to 13 Agri focused startups in 2324 by the RKVY RAFTAAR RABI scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rs 2.89 crores have been sanctioned to 13 startups under Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.

The event showcased a number of forward-thinking startups run by bright young people from all around the nation. As per IIM Kashipur, A total of Rs 14.6 crores has been disbursed to startups under startup support schemes, out of which Rs 1.35 crores have been sanctioned to 13 Agri focused startups in 2324 by the RKVY RAFTAAR RABI scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rs 2.89 crores have been sanctioned to 13 startups under Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.

IIM Bangalore incubator floats accelerator fund for deeptech startups The Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL), the startup incubator of IIM Bangalore, said Monday it has floated a DeepTech focused preseed startup accelerator fund.