In a milestone development for India’s entrepreneurial landscape, IIT Kanpur’s Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council For Start-up India (CSI). This collaboration marks a significant step toward accelerating innovation, nurturing start-ups, and strengthening India’s position as a global hub for technology-driven enterprises.

The Council for Start-up India, chaired by Hon’ble Former Chief Justice of India Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, with Padma Vibhushan Dr. R. A. Mashelkar as Co-Chairperson, brings together an exceptional blend of legal wisdom, policy vision, and scientific expertise. This high-level leadership is expected to guide and inspire the framework for fostering a robust start-up ecosystem that can tackle India’s most pressing challenges while creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Through this partnership, FIRST at IIT Kanpur—already renowned for its pioneering work in technology incubation and entrepreneurship—will collaborate closely with CSI to create impactful platforms for innovation. The alliance will focus on nurturing early-stage ventures, facilitating access to mentorship, funding, and cutting-edge research, and promoting policy interventions that benefit start-ups nationwide.

Both institutions share a vision of positioning Indian entrepreneurs at the forefront of global innovation. By leveraging IIT Kanpur’s academic and technological strengths alongside CSI’s leadership and advocacy, the MoU is expected to generate far-reaching outcomes—encouraging bold ideas, accelerating commercialisation of research, and enhancing India’s competitiveness in critical sectors such as deep tech, healthcare, sustainability, and digital transformation.

This landmark partnership reflects India’s collective resolve to empower its start-up community and unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth and national development.

In a milestone development for India’s entrepreneurial landscape, IIT Kanpur’s Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council For Start-up India (CSI). This collaboration marks a significant step toward accelerating innovation, nurturing start-ups, and strengthening India’s position as a global hub for technology-driven enterprises.

The Council for Start-up India, chaired by Hon’ble Former Chief Justice of India Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, with Padma Vibhushan Dr. R. A. Mashelkar as Co-Chairperson, brings together an exceptional blend of legal wisdom, policy vision, and scientific expertise. This high-level leadership is expected to guide and inspire the framework for fostering a robust start-up ecosystem that can tackle India’s most pressing challenges while creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Through this partnership, FIRST at IIT Kanpur—already renowned for its pioneering work in technology incubation and entrepreneurship—will collaborate closely with CSI to create impactful platforms for innovation. The alliance will focus on nurturing early-stage ventures, facilitating access to mentorship, funding, and cutting-edge research, and promoting policy interventions that benefit start-ups nationwide.

Both institutions share a vision of positioning Indian entrepreneurs at the forefront of global innovation. By leveraging IIT Kanpur’s academic and technological strengths alongside CSI’s leadership and advocacy, the MoU is expected to generate far-reaching outcomes—encouraging bold ideas, accelerating commercialisation of research, and enhancing India’s competitiveness in critical sectors such as deep tech, healthcare, sustainability, and digital transformation.

This landmark partnership reflects India’s collective resolve to empower its start-up community and unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth and national development.