LUCKNOW : The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)’s- National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) — are jointly organizing the CSIR Start-up Conclave 2025 on 14–15 September 2025 at CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow. The conclave is centered on the theme “Transforming Research and Development into Start-ups: Innovations in Agriculture, Environment, and Health for Industry and Society.” UP CM Yogi Adityanath will be the chief guest at the event.
Following successful editions in Jammu, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, this will be the fourth such event in the series. Guided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Vice President of CSIR, the initiative aims to foster a start-up culture around CSIR technologies, connect innovators with industries, and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs across the country.
In line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi (President of CSIR), this conclave marks an important step towards making India a global hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. By strengthening ties between science, industry, and society, the conclave will reinforce initiatives such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Start-up India. The event will bring together scientists, innovators, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. It seeks to promote technology-based entrepreneurship, enhance industry-research partnerships, and act as a catalyst in realizing the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, the state is emerging as a hub for innovation-driven growth. The CSIR Start-up Conclave is expected to further strengthen collaborations among research institutions, industries, and entrepreneurs, encourage technology-based start-ups, and create new avenues of opportunities for the youth. The inaugural ceremony on 14 September is likely to be graced by CM Yogi Adityanath and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology, will also be present.
The conclave will feature the signing of technology transfer agreements with industry partners, launch of new products and technologies developed by CSIR laboratories, exchange of MoUs with industry, academia, and start-ups, and showcasing of innovations in areas such as agri-nutritional biotechnology, healthcare, and environment. Over 200 farmers/beneficiaries and more than 50 start-ups/entrepreneurs are expected to exhibit their products.
The directors of the four laboratories highlighted their institutional priorities and contributions. Dr. A.K. Shasany (Director, CSIR-NBRI) expressed commitment to translating plant-based innovations and green technologies into entrepreneurial ventures. Dr. Radha Rangarajan (Director, CSIR-CDRI) emphasized fostering bio-pharma start-ups in the domain of drug discovery and development. Dr. Bhaskar Narayan (Director, CSIR-IITR) underlined supporting start-ups working on clean technologies, environmental monitoring, and public health innovations for a sustainable future. Dr. Prabodh Kumar Trivedi (Director, CSIR-CIMAP) spoke of harnessing the potential of medicinal and aromatic plants to create value chains benefiting both farmers and industries.
The CSIR laboratories in Lucknow are known for their unique expertise — NBRI is a leader in plant science, floriculture, and sustainable agriculture; CDRI excels in drug discovery and development; IITR focuses on clean air, safe water, and chemical safety technologies; and CIMAP is globally recognized for research on medicinal and aromatic plants, supporting rural entrepreneurship.
