IIT Jammu Signs MoU with CSIR-IIIM and Startups to Boost Innovation and Regional Growth
In a major move to promote regional innovation, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) and three emerging startups. The partnership aims to fast-track translational research, foster entrepreneurship, and contribute to the economic growth of the Jammu region.
A Strong Partnership for Science and Innovation
The MoU was formally inked by Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director of IIT Jammu, and Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu. The signing ceremony was attended by senior faculty, scientists, and officials from both institutions, along with representatives of the three participating startups:
- Biogreen Projects – represented by Songbaran Chatterjee
- Evlogia Eco Care – represented by Manigandan Kumarappan
- Crop Domain – represented by Mahadeva Swamy
This strategic collaboration brings together the academic strength of IIT Jammu, the scientific expertise of CSIR-IIIM, and the entrepreneurial energy of the startups — forming a robust platform for innovation.
Combining Strengths for Real-World Solutions
The newly signed agreement focuses on using CSIR-IIIM’s capabilities in natural product discovery and drug development, alongside IIT Jammu’s engineering and technological knowledge, to co-create market-ready technologies.
To support the journey from idea to innovation, the CSIR-IIIM-TBI (Technology Business Incubator) and IIT Jammu’s I3C (Innovation, Incubation & Career Centre) will offer:
- Expert mentoring and technical support
- Prototyping labs and R&D resources
- Investor connections and pitch opportunities
- Industry-specific training programmes
- Workshops and talent development initiatives
Together, these resources will provide a nurturing environment for startups to scale their ideas while also contributing to local employment and economic activity.
Accelerating Innovation with Regional Impact
The collaboration will help translate laboratory innovations into commercial applications, particularly in the fields of healthcare, sustainable materials, and agri-biotechnology — areas that hold strong relevance to both the local economy and global markets.
By enabling science-led startups to thrive, the MoU aims to transform Jammu into a regional innovation hub. This aligns with national efforts to encourage grassroots entrepreneurship and decentralised innovation.
Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur said, “This tripartite alliance is a step forward in bridging high-end research with societal needs. By merging our engineering strengths with CSIR-IIIM’s expertise and startup agility, we can rapidly develop solutions that serve both regional and national interests.”
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM, echoed this sentiment, stating that the collaboration marks a new chapter in promoting innovation-led development in Jammu and beyond.
Long-Term Vision and Governance
The MoU will be governed jointly by leadership teams from IIT Jammu and CSIR-IIIM, in close collaboration with the startups. The model is designed to foster an ecosystem where research, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect, ensuring that innovation is not confined to labs but reaches communities and markets.
Importantly, the initiative also plans to develop local talent by offering hands-on training, innovation boot camps, and skill-building workshops, helping nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
A Model for Future Collaborations
This tripartite partnership is more than just a formal agreement — it’s a blueprint for how institutions, industry, and startups can work together to drive impact. It demonstrates how regional collaboration can lead to scalable, meaningful innovation, especially when supported by strong academic and scientific ecosystems. By aligning shared goals across research, entrepreneurship, and public benefit, this initiative showcases a forward-thinking model for India’s innovation roadmap.
As this alliance unfolds, it is set to serve as a national example of how local partnerships can lead to global relevance, empowering communities, boosting employment, and fostering sustainable development through science and technology.
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