New Delhi–In order to make the Digital India initiative more successful, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Intel India and the Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT-Bombay have joined hands to launch the Collaborative Incubation Programme for hardware and systems startups.

The programme has been designed to support hardware and systems-based start-ups in the country through mentoring, training, lab facilities, hardware kits, prototyping, business services and fundings.

HK Mittal
HK Mittal

“Department of Science and Technology (DST) is deeply committed in supporting technology and entrepreneurship initiatives that are of relevance to national needs. For the first time, DST, Intel and SINE are collaborating to incubate hardware and systems startups in India,” said HK Mittal, Advisor, National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, DST in a statement.

Through the programme, DST, Intel India and SINE aim to support up to 20 start-ups and the call for applications to the first batch will be announced in early August this year.

During the year-long programme, start-ups will be supported for six months on-site at SINE, IIT, Bombay or Intel India, Bengaluru. After six months, the start-ups’ solutions will be showcased to investors and industry players.

“Intel has a strong focus on accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship in India, and we are committed to help enable startups in the systems area, both hardware and software. Along with DST and SINE, IIT Bombay, Intel India will also provide the critical support these starts ups need to be able to excel in creating market ready products and solutions,” said Nivruti Rai, General Manager, Intel India. (IANS)