Lucknow: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is rapidly carving out a strong identity as one of India’s major startup ecosystems. Playing a pivotal role in this transformation is the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, whose Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) is emerging as a powerful engine of innovation, entrepreneurship and employment generation in the state.
IIT Kanpur, long known for academic excellence and cutting-edge research, has now evolved into a robust startup hub shaping the economic future of Uttar Pradesh. At present, more than 521 startups are being nurtured at SIIC, positioning the institute as a key economic driver while helping establish Uttar Pradesh as a new capital of innovation.
Professor Deepu Philip, from the Department of Industrial and Management Engineering and the Design Programme at IIT Kanpur and in-charge of SIIC, said the Yogi Adityanath government has taken several proactive steps to support startups. “With strong policy support, easier access to funding and improved infrastructure, Uttar Pradesh is set to become a major startup destination in the coming years,” he said.
The IIT Kanpur startup ecosystem receives direct and strategic support from the Uttar Pradesh government. Startup-friendly policies, streamlined funding mechanisms and infrastructure development have accelerated innovation across sectors. The partnership between the state government and IIT Kanpur has created a platform where ideas seamlessly connect with industry and markets.
IIT Kanpur as a Mentor, Not Just an Incubator
What sets IIT Kanpur apart is its unique mentoring-driven incubation model. SIIC does not merely provide space and resources; the institute itself plays the role of a mentor. Each startup is guided by a faculty member, ensuring access to deep technical expertise and strategic insight. Startups receive end-to-end support including technical guidance, business modelling, product development, market access and investor connectivity, enabling them to build strong foundations at an early stage.
Focus on Manufacturing and Production-Based Startups
A distinctive feature of IIT Kanpur’s incubation centre is its strong emphasis on manufacturing and production-oriented startups. In line with the visions of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, SIIC is promoting innovations in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, hardware, electronics, defence production, drones, agri-tech, clean energy, Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced manufacturing.
Several startups incubated at IIT Kanpur are today targeting markets worth thousands of crores and are generating large-scale employment. Notably, drones manufactured by an IIT Kanpur–based startup were used during Operation Sindoor. During the COVID-19 pandemic as well, startups from the institute played a significant role in addressing critical challenges.
Open to Startups from Across the Country
Professor Philip clarified that IIT Kanpur’s incubation centre is not limited to startups from Uttar Pradesh alone. Entrepreneurs from any part of the country can apply, with selection based purely on the quality of the idea, technological strength and business potential. As a result, the IIT Kanpur startup network has gained national recognition, while Uttar Pradesh continues to reap the maximum benefit from this innovation-driven ecosystem.
With initiatives like these, Uttar Pradesh is steadily moving towards the vision of Developed Uttar Pradesh 2047, positioning itself as a leading hub for startups, innovation and economic growth on the national map.
