IIT Kanpur initiative to support early-stage tech entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur First (EF), a UK-based global talent investor and Foundation for Innovation and Research in Science and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.), a section 8 company promoted by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) have collaborated to build a strong support ecosystem for aspiring tech entrepreneurs.

This partnership will facilitate the talented individuals aspiring to start tech ventures. EF will support with the process of finding a co-founder at the very early stage of a start-up, as well as close mentorship on the idea and business model, and pre-seed investment. The start-ups formed will have an opportunity to access IITK business incubator as the next step to build a network of expert advisors, access to prototyping facilities and grants. The partnership will also help expose smart technical graduates and researchers from IITK and affiliated institutions to the potential impact they can create through entrepreneurship.

According to Prof Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Faculty Head of IITK Incubator, “We are delighted about the partnership It will be a win-win situation for industry and academia. EF will help our bright technical talent find the right business experts as co-founders and build ambitious businesses, which we can then support further through our incubator. In the current times, the brightest minds need to be working on new innovative solutions to global problems.” He further added, “The innovation ecosystem of FIRST/IIT Kanpur is apparent from the fact that in the past two months alone, IIT Kanpur’s incubated companies have commercialized three products aimed at fighting different aspects of the COVID-19 crisis. The collaboration with EF will further enhance this ecosystem.”    

As part of the collaborative programme, the two brands will engage with potential founders through webinars, interactive discussions, and online mentorship for students, researchers, and alumni of IITK and affiliated institutions. The initial webinar held recently was a huge success, with over 200 attendees. It featured founders of startups that have gone through the EF programme talking about their journey and answering questions from aspiring entrepreneurs.

CU launches financial aid scheme for meritorious students

Chandigarh University has launched Financial Aid Scheme worth Rs 48 crore to help the deserving and meritorious students from any part of India to enable them to fulfill their aspirations to get quality higher education.

The financial aid scheme will be offered on merit and first-come-first-serve basis which would be applicable to all 109 Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate programmes offered by the university for 2020 academic batch. The scheme will offer financial assistance up-to 100% to deserving students.

Chancellor of the university Chandigarh University also launched online portal aid.cuchd.in where the students can apply for financial assistance.

The applicants will need to register with their credentials through the online portal. Application will be scrutinised by a committee comprising senior authorities of the university that will then recommend the quantum of financial aid which will be automatically communicated to the student through the online portal. — TNS

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