India Hosts the First-Ever Physical Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum in New Delhi
In the guise of the first-ever physical event in New Delhi, India recently hosted the third edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum. Startup India, the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Promotion for Industry and Internal Trade, organised the event. The forum aimed to increase startup relationships across SCO Member States while also encouraging innovation, job creation, and talent development.
Keynote Address by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri Som Parkash:
The forum witnessed physical participation from SCO Member States, including a delegation of government officials, private industry players, incubators, and startups. Shri Som Parkash, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, made the keynote talk, emphasising the relevance of the startup ecosystem in strengthening a nation's economy.
Smt. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, addressed the delegation about India’s startup journey and initiatives for promoting startups by the Government of India.
Collaboration and Entrepreneurship at the SCO Startup Forum:
The SCO Startup Forum focused on collaboration and entrepreneurship. It aimed to promote innovation development, particularly through the creation of common platforms and the facilitation of ideas and best practices among the SCO Member States. The forum facilitated various startup-to-startup bilateral meetings to promote and achieve this agenda.
Workshop on the Role of Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements in Developing Startup Ecosystem:
Delegates attended a Startup India workshop on the "Role of Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements in Developing Startup Ecosystem." The workshop included an interactive session to understand various models of engagements that can be undertaken to develop closer ties between nations and boost the startup ecosystem in SCO nations.
Visit to Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi:
The delegation also visited the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, where a startup showcase was organized. The participants visited the facility to receive first-hand experience of the Indian startup ecosystem. The incubator visit focused on highlighting the nuances of funding, mentorship, and opportunities provided to support startups at the scaling stage in India.
Previous Initiatives by Startup India for SCO Member States:
Previously, Startup India organised several initiatives for SCO Member States, including the SCO Startup Forum 2020, which created the groundwork for multilateral cooperation and engagement for startups across SCO Member States. The SCO Startup Forum 2021 was held virtually through a customized platform representing Indian culture in augmented reality. It launched the SCO Startup Hub, a single point of contact for the SCO startup ecosystem. Startup India also organized a three-month-long virtual mentorship series called “Starting-Up” for nominated startups to build capacity among the SCO startup founders.
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