CSIR-IIIM Concludes Two-Day National Startup Festival in Jammu
The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) successfully concluded its National Startup Festival, a two-day event that celebrated entrepreneurial innovation, startup growth, and technological advancements across Jammu & Kashmir. The festival, held at Government Women’s College, Gandhi Nagar, attracted industry leaders, investors, scientists, researchers, bio-incubators, and young innovators from across India.
Event Highlights & Key Participants
The festival was inaugurated on February 22, 2025, by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science & Technology, along with distinguished guests, including Satish Sharma, J&K UT Cabinet Minister, and Padma Shri Prof. Vinod K. Singh. A total of 45 startups showcased their innovative products, technologies, and business models, receiving certificates of recognition from Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM.
The event drew an overwhelming response, with over 800 visitors on the second day, including students from various colleges and schools eager to witness cutting-edge technological demonstrations. Several notable startups and enterprises participated, including Herbal Aura, Gaurico, One Veda, Happico, Gleen Biotech, and JK Aroma Ltd.
Advancing Startup Ecosystem in J&K
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed emphasized CSIR-IIIM’s commitment to nurturing startups and entrepreneurship, particularly in pre-clinical drug discovery and agri-entrepreneurship. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jitendra Singh, the institute has established two incubators to support emerging ventures. During the event, a Grant-in-Aid Letter Agreement (GLA) was signed between CSIR-IIIM and BIRAC to establish a new incubator at Industrial Biotech Park, Ghatti, Kathua.
Empowering Future Entrepreneurs
The festival featured interactive sessions, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, offering startups insights into scaling innovations and market integration. Special exhibitions by young innovators from Jammu schools further highlighted the region’s growing startup culture.
With STPI, MeitY, and BIRAC supporting the initiative, the festival reinforced India’s vision of “Startup India” and “Digital India,” fostering entrepreneurship, employment, and economic growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions.
Source: PIB
