Title: Student Startup and Innovation Cell:
Aligned with our institution’s vision, priority and thrust on skill-based Entrepreneurial Development, we established the Student Startup and Innovation Cell to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets. By providing tools and platforms, we empower students to transform their ideas into viable startups. This initiative aims to foster professional self-sufficiency, create job opportunities, and stimulate economic growth. We are proud to be the first non-technical college in Gujarat to successfully implement our Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP).
Sensitization Programs:
To cultivate a student that fosters innovation, the institute encourages and financially supports faculty participation in startup and innovation-related events. Seven faculty members have successfully completed the ‘Nurturing Innovation and Startup Ecosystem (NISE)’ certificate course offered by the Government of Gujarat’s Startup and Innovation Hub (i-Hub). Moreover, an FDP on SSIP 2.0 was attended by the coordinator.
The College SSIP Cell has promoted entrepreneurship by organizing 10 webinars-workshops and 4 skill development programs for students.
Outreach Programs:
To create awareness towards Entrepreneurial mindset and SSIP, the college has organized more than 15 sensitization programs in the university affiliated colleges and other institutes as well.
Pre-incubation:
The institute boasts a state-of-the-art Central Research Laboratory with sophisticated instrumentation, Soil Testing Lab as well as Tissue Culture Lab. This robust infrastructure provides an ideal environment for fostering innovation. Students are encouraged to apply technology to address societal challenges and receive comprehensive support throughout the entire innovation process, from ideation to commercialization, including mentorship and guidance for developing Proof of Concept (PoC) and various kind of IP support. The institute’s inspiring, inventive, and reform-oriented academic atmosphere empowers stakeholders to excel.
The institute regularly hosts awareness sessions, workshops, seminars, webinars, and expert talks on entrepreneurship, innovation, and startups. Students benefit from direct interactions with accomplished entrepreneurs in their fields.
Incubation Centre: Support to idea Generation:
The institution cultivates a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship. Through initiatives like SSIP, Innovation Club, IPR Cell and Entrepreneurial Development Cell, we empower students to turn their ideas into reality. The SSIP has been instrumental in fostering innovation, with a sanctioned grant of 20,00,000/- Rs. (Twenty Lakh only) under SSIP 1.0 and a substantial increase to 1,65,00,000/- (One Crore Sixty-Five Lakh only) under SSIP 2.0 by Govt. of Gujarat.
- Extended Lab Access: Students are granted access to the ATAL Tinkering Lab for three hours daily after 3 PM.
- Free Raw Materials: 100% free raw materials provided for student startup projects.
- Startup Project Support: Innovative student startup projects are funded by the college up to 2.5 lakh.
Capacity Building on IPR:
The institute has established an IPR cell to provide intellectual property rights support to both faculty and students. To enhance IPR knowledge, the cell has conducted 13 IPR-focused webinars, seminars, and training sessions. A notable event was the IPR Awareness Program sponsored by the Patent Office Mumbai, Government of India, under NIPAM on August 26, 2022, which drew over 600 students and 45 faculty members.
Impact of SSIP:
The concerted efforts of the college SSIP Cell have yielded impressive results.
- To date, 48 Proof of Concepts (PoCs) have been successfully approved.
- Five patents of the faculty members have been successfully published The Patent Office, Govt. of India as well as Intellectual Property Office, UK. In addition to this, the students have filed five Patents through the Institute’s SSIP Cell. Furthermore, one trademark has been also registered.
- Three startups have been officially recognized by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
- Till date, more than Rs 35,00,000/- (Rupees Thirty Five lakh only) have been funded to students for PoCs, registration of startups and IP supports.
