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The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is actively encouraging the startup ecosystem and the broader industry to foster innovation in manufacturing by supporting and developing manufacturing incubators. This initiative recognises the crucial role of digital technology, innovation, and advanced manufacturing processes in driving economic growth and establishing a robust manufacturing sector.
As nations worldwide strive to enhance their industrial capabilities, creating strong manufacturing supply chains and leveraging cutting-edge technologies are vital for becoming a leading export-led economy and a preferred global trading partner.
India’s manufacturing landscape has undergone significant transformation, fueled by landmark reforms and initiatives that have expanded its manufacturing portfolio and enhanced its capabilities. This evolution has positioned India as a dynamic hub for manufacturing, characterised by innovation, technological advancement, and skilled labour.
The integration of digital technologies into manufacturing processes has been a key driver of this transformation, enabling unprecedented advances in manufacturing technology and scientific breakthroughs. Startups and entrepreneurs have played a pivotal role in this shift, innovating domestically and integrating into global value chains, thereby improving product quality, boosting exports, and enhancing India’s global standing and trade relations.
To further promote manufacturing innovation, DPIIT has spearheaded several initiatives, including the first-ever ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ festival and the ‘ONDC-Startup Mahotsav’. These events featured dedicated pavilions for incubators and startups in Business to Business (B2B) Manufacturing, highlighting the importance of manufacturing incubators in fostering innovation.
DPIIT has also collaborated with autonomous institutes like the National Council for Cement Building Material (NCCBM) and the Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Association (IRMRA) to establish incubation centres in specific industries. These centres provide startups with access to state-of-the-art facilities, enabling them to develop innovative products and integrate advanced technologies into their manufacturing processes.
Manufacturing incubators are essential for supporting startups by offering pilot, scaling, and manufacturing facilities that reduce high capital expenditures. They provide shared resources for innovative product development and early-stage manufacturing, facilitating startup growth.
These incubators also connect startups with larger companies, offering access to pilot facilities, test beds, prototyping facilities, design centres, and support for technology management, market access, and risk capital. By fostering such collaborations, incubators help integrate cutting-edge technologies into manufacturing processes, establishing India as a hub for innovative technology solutions
Corporates, academic institutions, and research institutes can significantly contribute to setting up manufacturing incubators. For corporates, these incubators offer competitive advantages by leveraging startups’ innovative potential, facilitating technology transfer, and co-creating groundbreaking products. This collaboration can lead to faster market entry, reduced R&D costs, and enhanced internal teams, promoting intrapreneurship and boosting overall economic competitiveness.
Companies can institutionalise in-house incubators and incubation programmes in various ways, depending on their available resources. They can start with small-scale incubation initiatives involving small cohorts and gradually expand to set up separate entities, such as private or non-profit organisations with specialised long-term schemes.
The extent of collaboration and support can be scaled up based on the resources available, with a strong process and framework for technology transfer and procurement leading to mutually beneficial collaborations between startups and corporates.
Eligible entities can leverage government initiatives like Startup India, Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), NIDHI, TIDE, BIRAC, and iDEX, which provide crucial support and resources for manufacturing startups, fostering the integration of advanced digital technologies and innovative solutions into the sector.
Manufacturing is crucial for India’s self-reliance and global competitiveness. More manufacturing incubators can foster growth and innovation by integrating digital technologies. Collaboration between established corporates and startups will create a mutually beneficial environment, aiding both individual and national development.
This approach will ensure that India continues to advance as a global leader in manufacturing innovation, leveraging digital technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and competitiveness.
