**Executive Summary**
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) – NITI Aayog organized the Regional AIM SUMVAAD (Central India Edition) on 11 May 2026 in Indore to strengthen State-Centre collaboration within the innovation ecosystem. The event focused on building robust incubator networks and fostering inclusive entrepreneurship across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Key outcomes included the launch of regional incubation consortia and a strategic shift toward financially sustainable, growth-focused incubation models.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Collaboration and Networking**
* Strengthens ties between Central and State governments, industry, academia, and startup councils to build a robust regional incubator network.
* Deepens engagement with CSR partners and ecosystem enablers to accelerate innovation-driven economic growth.
* Leverages partnerships with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to provide world-class infrastructure and market access.
**Ecosystem Evolution and Mindset Shifts**
* Advocates for a transition from a "service mindset" to a "science mindset," prioritizing deep research and patient capital to support DeepTech startups.
* Encourages a shift in incubator business models "From Grants to Growth," focusing on professional management and financial sustainability.
* Emphasizes the role of incubators in "handholding" the next generation of entrepreneurs to transform ideas into scalable ventures.
**Institutional Initiatives and Capacity Building**
* Launched the Madhya Pradesh Incubation Consortium and the Thar Incubation Alliance (Rajasthan) as state chapters for incubators.
* Conducted specialized sessions on "Building Effective People and Culture" to create sustainable internal engines for entrepreneurship.
* Reinforced AIM’s commitment to localized action and national partnerships to nurture innovation-led development.
**Impact Analysis**
**Incubators and Ecosystem Enablers**
**Impact**
They are identified as the central drivers of the startup ecosystem and are being integrated into regional consortia for better resource sharing and professionalization.
**Action Required**
Must transition toward financially sustainable models and collaborate through the newly launched state chapters (MP Incubation Consortium and Thar Incubation Alliance).
**Startups (specifically DeepTech and Emerging Sectors)**
**Impact**
Startups gain improved access to mentorship, world-class infrastructure, and a culture that supports long-term research over quick returns.
**Action Required**
Utilize the collaborative platforms and market access provided by AIM SUMVAAD to scale innovative ventures.
**State Governments (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh)**
**Impact**
These states are empowered to scale state-led innovation initiatives through stronger institutional ties with the Central government.
**Action Required**
Facilitate stronger partnerships between local academia and industry while supporting the operationalization of regional incubation alliances.
Key Entities Referenced
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): A flagship initiative under NITI Aayog designed to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across India.
NITI Aayog: The primary policy think tank of the Government of India responsible for organizing the regional innovation convening.
AIM Sumvaad: A collaborative platform and initiative aimed at strengthening regional incubator networks and enhancing State-Centre engagement.
Madhya Pradesh Incubation Consortium and Thar Incubation Alliance: Newly launched state chapters for incubators in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to foster localized innovation ecosystems.
Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh): The target geographical region for this edition of the mission, focusing on strengthening regional innovation stakeholders and collaboration.
NITI Aayog
Atal Innovation Mission hosts AIM Sumvaad-
Central India to strengthen regional incubators
through stronger State-Centre collaboration
Posted On: 11 MAY 2026 6:38PM by PIB Delhi
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) - NITI Aayog successfully organized the Regional AIM SUMVAAD,
Central India Edition today at Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) Indore, Madhya
Pradesh bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, incubators, startups, and
the wider innovation ecosystem.
The convening aimed at strengthening the State - Centre collaboration and to build a robust incubator
network across the region, while deepening engagement with key innovation ecosystem stakeholders. The
initiative also focused on fostering inclusive entrepreneurship and accelerating innovation through
stronger partnerships between government, industry, academia, and startups.
The regional gathering witnessed participation from representatives of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and
Uttar Pradesh, along with startup councils, incubators, industry leaders, CSR partners and ecosystem
enablers.
The Sumvaad featured high-level deliberations on strengthening incubation ecosystems, scaling state-led
innovation initiatives and enhancing collaboration between governments, academia, incubators and
industry. The sessions focused on enabling innovation-driven economic growth and unlocking
opportunities for startups across emerging sectors.
Sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, Deepak Bagla said,
“Incubators are the cornerstone of a thriving startup ecosystem, transforming innovative ideas into
scalable and impactful ventures. Through strategic collaborations with DST, DBT, and DPIIT, Atal
Innovation Mission is strengthening the innovation landscape by enabling world-class infrastructure,
mentorship, market access, and collaborative platforms like AIM SUMVAAD. These efforts are fostering
entrepreneurship, accelerating innovation, and contributing meaningfully towards the vision of Viksit
Bharat.
Speaking during the conclave, Himanshu Rai - Director of IIM Indore, highlighted that India's startup
evolution is entering a critical phase, stating that the nation is "moving from a service mindset to a science
mindset." He noted that for DeepTech to thrive, the ecosystem must embrace patient capital and a culture
that prioritizes deep research over quick returns.
Viraj Bhanage, Director - Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) and Chairman - AIC
π-Hub, underlined the role of incubators in handholding and supporting the next generation of startups. He
also emphasized the significance of the AIM Sumvaad in strengthening ties between young entrepreneurs,
institutions, and ecosystem enablers to foster collaborative spirit and that this joint initiative would unlock
new opportunities for startups, youth and industry.Dr. Abha Rishi, Executive Head - Madhya Pradesh Startup Centre emphasized that Incubators are the
beating heart of our startup ecosystem; recognizing their strategic importance is the first step toward
driving a more robust and sustainable innovation landscape across the country.
Besides, a special session on “Building Effective People and Culture in Incubation Centres”, led by Shri
Manish Verma, focused on strengthening the people and the culture behind the incubator, which will
create a sustainable engine for entrepreneurship that can withstand any market shift.
Speaking on the evolution of the Indian Incubators landscape, Shri Sandeep Gupta, Director - CFA
Institute India, emphasized that the next frontier for incubation centers is the shift 'From Grants to
Growth,' focusing on financially sustainable and professionally managed models.
One of the major highlights of the event was the launch of the state chapters of Incubators in Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan, as Madhya Pradesh Incubation Consortium and Thar Incubation Alliance,
respectively.
The Regional AIM SUMVAAD also serves as a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, strategic
collaboration and policy dialogue, reinforcing AIM’s commitment to nurturing innovation-led
development and strengthening India’s entrepreneurial landscape through localized action and national
partnerships.
Other dignitaries present on the conclave were Prateek Deshmukh, Program Director -AIM; Dr C.P Paul,
Head - AIC Pie Hub and Secretary DIA; Prasad Menon, President – ISBA; Chandra Shekhar Yadav from
Department of Science and Technology (DST); Ravi Pandey, Startup head - Start in UP; Dhawal Singhal,
Program Lead - iStart Rajasthan; Manish Verma - Growth Expert and Mentor at IIM Lucknow - EIC;
Sandeep Gupta from CFA among others.
*****
MJPS/SS/PRK
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