Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind CSIR Innovation Complex (CSIR-IC) in Mumbai via virtual mode today. The landmark facility aims to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem and foster collaboration between research institutions, startups, and industries.
Dr. Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for enabling India to become a global hub for startups and innovation. Highlighting the country’s achievements, he stated that India has the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 100 unicorns, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit and transformative government policies.
The Minister lauded CSIR’s pivotal role in scientific and technological progress, addressing national challenges through innovative research, industry partnerships, and policy formulation.
Key Highlights of the CSIR Innovation Complex
- Facility Design: Spread over nine floors, the state-of-the-art CSIR-IC Mumbai features 24 ready-to-move incubation labs, furnished office spaces, networking areas, and six conference rooms to support startups, MSMEs, and industry partners.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Six Memorandums of Association (MoAs) were signed between CSIR and prestigious institutions, including IIT Bombay, iCreate, and NRDC, to boost innovation and industry collaboration.
- Technology Transfer: CSIR facilitated 50 technology transfers to startups, MSMEs, and institutions, showcasing its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Boosting Innovation and Industry Integration
Dr. Singh emphasized that the CSIR-IC will function as a corporate hub, with other CSIR facilities acting as spokes, enabling seamless business development and technology transfer. He highlighted the role of ready-to-move labs and support for intellectual property (IP) and business development in accelerating innovation.
The Minister expressed confidence that CSIR-IC Mumbai would leverage Mumbai’s unique opportunities, strengthening the country’s capacity to address critical unmet needs and catalyze technological advancements.
Remarks from Key Leaders
- Dr. N Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR: She underscored CSIR’s global collaborations with countries like Germany, Norway, and Switzerland and highlighted key innovations such as steel slag technology used in national highways, the zero liquid discharge plant, and the indigenous development of Paracetamol.
- Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog: He praised CSIR’s contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the development of the world’s first CRISPR diagnostic test and oxygen concentrators.
- Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog: He emphasized the importance of bringing innovation directly to industries for cost-effective solutions.
- Dr. Ram Vishwakarma: Credited with the realization of the CSIR-IC, he detailed the complex’s infrastructure and its potential to drive innovation.
A Milestone for India’s Innovation Landscape
The inauguration of the CSIR-IC is a significant step toward achieving the vision of a self-reliant and developed India by 2047. Facilities like this embody the spirit of collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation, further solidifying India’s position as a global leader in science and technology.