IIT Kanpur’s SIIC reviews 'Startup Gateway for Garbage Free Cities' initiative

NEW DELHI: The Startup Incubation and Innovation centre (SIIC) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur conducted the first programme review committee meeting under its joint initiative with the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) in Noida. Director of Swacch Bharat Mission Binay Kumar Jha, professor in charge of innovation and incubation at IIT Kanpur Ankush Sharma and other officials from the institute as well as MoHUA.

The initiative titled 'Startup Gateway for Garbage Free Cities' is a joint initiative of the institute with the ministry. SIIC CEO Nikhil Agarwal addressed the meeting and emphasised the goal for which the institute has collaborated with MoHUA.

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He said: "The programme aims to provide support to startups working at the intersection of technology and social innovation. This support will help them solve India's waste management challenges, leading to improvements in waste management efficiency, increased social impact and greater transparency in the waste-to-value chain".

In the review meeting, it was informed that as many as 20 startups have been selected for the first cohort of the programme. Post this, the programme committee conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the progress made by each of the 20 startups which have been selected. Officials stated in the meeting that every startup will be provided Rs 20 lakh to promote their technology and business development. Additionally, they will also gain access to mentorship, lab facilities and business connections.

The start-ups which have been selected are, namely; Citygen Technology, Nellikka complete solutions, WeVOIS labs, Jivoule biofuels, ARC-robotics, Strawcture Eco, Spruce up industries, Trashback India, Recircle, Quality decor dzines, Angirus, Uneako, Aloe Ecell, MiniMines Cleantech, MuddleArt, RCube Recycling, Celligo Natural fibres, PadCare labs, EcoKaari and Ecowrap.