Lucknow: Under the leadership of Uttar Pradesh’s Honorable IT and Electronics Cabinet Minister, Sunil Kumar Sharma, the state’s first Startup Founders’ Roundtable was organized. The event took place at Bapu Bhawan, Lucknow. The primary objective of this meeting was to promote startups within the state and to develop Uttar Pradesh into a strong economic and technological hub through innovation.
Participating Startups
Startups from various sectors participated in the meeting and presented their innovative projects. Highlights included:
- Sports Startup: Encouraging children to actively engage in sports.
- Biodiesel Generation Startup: Promoting clean energy by producing biodiesel from waste oil.
- Skill Development Startup: Training non-technical individuals to enhance their employability in technical fields.
- Waste Management Startup: Introducing a modern system for smart waste segregation and recycling through an intelligent portal.
- Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Startups: Showcasing groundbreaking technological innovations.
- Solar Manufacturing Startup: Highlighting new possibilities in the renewable energy sector.
Key Address by Honorable Minister Mr. Sunil Kumar Sharma
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sunil Kumar Sharma underscored the crucial role of startups in building a “Developed India.” He emphasized the need to streamline and expedite the funding process for startups to remove potential hurdles. Highlighting the interdependence between economic progress and agricultural development, he stated, “India will only develop when migration from villages is halted.”
Key measures proposed by Mr. Sharma included:
- Establishing a quick-response help desk for startups to resolve their issues promptly.
- Inviting startups to share their challenges and suggestions via email at info@itpolicyup.gov.in.
- Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship to create a robust startup ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh.
The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting startups and ensuring their seamless integration into the state’s economic framework.
Perspectives from Key Advisors
- Prof. K.V. Raju, Chief Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister: Emphasized the importance of a clear strategy for the growth of startups. He advocated for a robust and transparent selection process, regular monitoring, and periodic evaluations to ensure effective progress.
- Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister: Stressed the significance of building a strong government-startup partnership to maximize societal benefits from innovative ventures.
Prominent Attendees
The event was attended by key figures in the state’s startup ecosystem, including:
- Dr. G.N. Singh, Advisor to the Chief Minister
- Ravi Ranjan (IAS), Managing Director, UPLC
- Neha Jain (IAS), Managing Director, UPDESCO
- Vinayak Nath, National President, BSIS, and Co-Chair, Startup20, G20
Numerous startup founders presented their ideas and innovations, which received enthusiastic support from attendees.
Minister Sunil Kumar Sharma concluded the event by expressing gratitude to all participating startup founders for their hard work and innovative ideas. He assured them of the government’s unwavering support and emphasized the importance of fostering a startup-friendly environment in Uttar Pradesh. The roundtable marked a significant milestone in the state’s journey toward becoming a leading economic and technological hub in India.
