Dr Zabeer Ahmed
The National Startup Day in India is celebrated on 16th Jan., every year after the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had, on 16th Jan. 2016, launched the Startup India, Stand up India initiative under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), with an objective of fostering startup culture and building a robust, inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India. This year, the 9th anniversary of Startup India, National Startup Day 2025 at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu was marked as a momentous occasion to reflect on the initiative’s transformative journey and emergence of entrepreneurship across J&K.
The two-day festival from 22-23 Feb., was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, and Department of Space; and Vice President of CSIR in presence of Satish Sharma, Cabinet Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science & echnology, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, and ARI & training departments, J&K UT, Padma Shri Prof. Vinod K. Singh, Institute Chair Professor of Chemistry at IIT Kanpur, Chairman CSIR-RAB and Directors of CSIR-IIIM, CIMAP, NBRI and IHBT, MD, DBT-BIRAC and DG, CCRUM. The event brought together the students, researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, academicians, farmers, women, youth, and industry people encouraging collaboration, innovation, and growth in J&K’s expanding startup ecosystem.
CSIR-IIIM, Jammu has emerged as a major incubation hub, supporting startups with infrastructure, mentorship, and research-driven initiatives. Over the years, the institute has played a crucial role in developing J&K into a thriving startup hub. At BioNEST-Technology Business Incubator at Jammu Campus of IIIM, more than 97 startups were enrolled, with 54 of them finally graduated, while over 8 startups have grown into full-scale industrial enterprises. The Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) based in Srinagar Branch of IIIM, financially supported by Niti Ayog under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has been providing the support to the 7 startups, including a well-known leather goods manufacturing unit. Further, now the CSIR-IIIM has also partnered with Department of Biotechnology-Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (DBT-BIRAC) to set up a Biotech Incubation Hub at Industrial Biotech Park, Ghatti, Kathua, providing modern infrastructure and funding support for biotech startups. Several strategic Memoranda of Understanding MoU & Grant-in-Aid Letter Agreement (GLA) were also signed during the festival, reinforcing CSIR-IIIM’s commitment to fostering research and innovation. These collaborations are expected to drive advancement in natural product drug discovery and strengthen the biotech and agri-startup ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir. One of the key GLA agreements was between CSIR-IIIM and BIRAC for the BioNEST Incubator at Industrial Biotech Park in Kathua. This initiative is focused on strengthening and scaling up the biotech-based startup ecosystem in J&K. With a funding commitment of Rs. 5.0 crore over three years, the agreement will provide vital support to emerging biotech startups through incubation, infrastructure development, and mentorship. The collaboration is set to facilitate innovations in biotechnology, offering entrepreneurs the necessary resources to transform research ideas into market-ready products.
During the event, seven new startups handed over their ‘Letters of Intent’ (LOI) to the Director CSIR-IIIM who is also the Chairman, BioNEST Incubation Centre at IBTP, Kathua. These companies have shared their commitment to incubating their technologies with IIIM at the Industrial Biotechnology Park (IBTP), Ghatti Kathua. Dr. Chandrashekaran Siddamadappa, Chairman of M/s Vipragen Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., specializes in drug discovery and development services, wishes to undertake preclinical & clinical testing and analysis, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies at IBTP, Kathua. Another LOI was handed over by Dr. Preeti Kashyap, Managing Director, M/s JMD Herbal Pharmaceuticals, is interested in manufacturing of herbal extracts & powder and suppository manufacturing, focusing on the development and scaleup of selected molecules upto commercialization. Mr. Avtar Singh, Founder of M/s Avtar Health Care’s aim to develop a sustainable natural product TRL-4 with a focus to develop a topical skin formulation designed to be pocket-friendly and environmentally sustainable. Another LOI was handed over by Ms. Jyoti Saroop M/s The Unati Agri-Allied and Marketing Multistate Cooperative Society Ltd, Jammu, who is actively expanding the cooperative’s footprint in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) to enhance the region’s agricultural value chain, market linkages, and cooperative-driven economic growth. UAMMCL is focused on developing ethanol production using fermentation and another project on micropropagation. Another LOI was handed over by Mr. Vikrant Dogra from M/s The Jammu and Kashmir Dairy Cooperative Federation Ltd. Who wishes to utilize the expertise of Floriculture, Horticulture and agriculture to increase the livelihood of the locals. Ms. Savitri Devi from M/s Kaushal Jammu Farm Producer Co. Limited, Jammu, focuses on the development and scaleup of the selected biomolecules in the incubator. Last but not the least, Mr. Manish Dhanuka from M/s Orchid Bio-Pharma Limited would like to incubate the technology on fungal fermentation of Acremonium chrysogenum to produce 7-ACA, a critical intermediate in antibiotic synthesis. These seven companies have shared its Letter of Intend (LOI) for incubating at Industrial Biotechnology Park (IBTP), Ghatti Kathua with the intellectual support of CSIR-IIIM. With these strategic partnerships and incubation initiatives, CSIR-IIIM continues to play a pivotal role in fostering biotech innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable industrial growth in Jammu & Kashmir.
Nutratech Startup : At the National Startup Festival, one product developed by a successful Incubatee of IIIM was officially launched by the Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, marking a significant advancement in the fields of health and wellness. Developed in collaboration with CSIR-IIIM Jammu and M/s Hapico Industries Pvt. Ltd., IGC Lassipora Pulwama, this product aims to enhance human health. The product named CalPoMag, is a complete herbal formulation enriched with Calcium, Potassium, Iron, and Magnesium, supplemented with essential Vitamins and Minerals. This innovative formulation is designed to support bone strengthening, collagen formation, and digestive health while also exhibiting laxative properties. The product brings together scientific research and herbal medicine, offering a natural solution for dietary deficiencies. Another Startup M/s Jagriti Products, a young startup incubated at IIIM-TBI, focuses on developing preservative-free organic products such as saffron, honey, and garlic.
Agri-startup: One of the major success stories facilitated by CSIR-IIIM is the growth of lavender farming in J&K which is widely known as ‘Purple Revolution’. The institute has provided farmers with not only the supply of quality plant material (QPM) but also research-backedzvalidation, product processing support, and technical guidance, helping them transition from traditional farming to agribusiness. Notably, Bharat Bhushan, a farmer from Doda district, switched from maize cultivation to lavender farming with the assistance of CSIR-IIIM. M/s JK Aroma, specializes in essential oils, soaps, diffusers, and incense sticks, leveraging J&K’s lavender farming potential. With CSIR-IIIM’s assistance in machinery, financial aid, and modern extraction techniques, JK Aroma has scaled up operations and now competes internationally. Girdhari Lal Holistics & RidAyu, led by Arjun Raina, the emerging startups are focusing on training farmers, women, and self-help groups in marketing and sustainable agriculture. Through the Aroma Mission, CSIR-IIIM has helped transform traditional farming practices into profitable ventures by providing distillery units and free planting materials. The initiative has created five permanent jobs, 30+ temporary jobs, and trained 150+ women, with over 100 families in the Doda District engaged in lavender farming. M/s Calm the Chaos, an innovative women startup incubated at IIIM-TBI, specializes in developing ayurvedic and aromatic skincare and haircare products using agricultural residues. Their range includes perfumes, lip balms, herbal gels, moisturizing creams, hydrating lavender hydrosol, and infused essential oils. Combining ayurveda with aromatherapy, they craft natural, eco-friendly, and research-backed formulations for holistic wellness.
Healthtech-Startup: Ram N Kumar, the founder of M/s Innoveda, joined CSIR-IIIM as a startup in 2018 and, with the institute’s support, developed a diabetes drug. The drug was later launched under the name Diabe 250 through the brand ‘Nirog Street’. Diabe 250 helps regulate blood sugar levels while also improving sleep and promoting regular bowel movements. Initially, the company started with just two people, but it has now grown into a thriving organization with over 400 employees. The remarkable progress of Nirog Street was even acknowledged by the Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat address. GAURICO, a herbal-based brand, is dedicated to enhancing women’s wellness through its flagship product and a range of herbal cosmetics. Focused on both outer beauty and inner well-being, the brand formulates natural, high-quality products tailored for female care. With the technical support of IIIM-TBI, GAURICO has developed innovative herbal solutions and is now gearing up for their market launch. Committed to purity and effectiveness, the brand aims to empower women with safe, sustainable, and ayurveda-inspired self-care essentials. M/s Velanutrition Nutraceuticals is being incubated at CSIR-IIIM TBI for the research and development of its innovative Heart Health
Supplement. Velanutrition has proposed an advanced formulation for Hearth health management that combines the power of natural ingredients, including Beta vulgaris (beetroot), Allium sativum (garlic), and essential vitamins and minerals. M/s Hemp Street Pvt. Ltd., a BIG, BIRAC grantee of IIIM incubator developed the technology on the production of bacterial cellulose membranes to develop trans-dermal patches for pain management. The technology was transferred with the technology cost is 1.5 Cr. The commercialization of the technology is under process. Mr. Sameer Verma, from M/s Adoptive Biotech Pvt. Ltd., a biotechnology startup company, presently incubated at CSIR-IIIM Incubator is at the forefront of cutting-edge research in dendritic cell therapy for solid tumors. In collaboration with CSIR-IIIM, the company is spearheading the development of a personalized, autologous dendritic cell-based vaccine (BRCAVax) for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies affecting women, particularly younger populations.
Young Innovator: Solar Mech Engine developed by Japteg Singh Bamrah, an innovator of Class 12 of Dalhousie Public School, Pathankot mentored by CSIR-IIIM Jammu was selected for CSIR-Jigyasa Hackathon 2024. The intern came to IIIM with the idea of clean and Renewable Energy. The idea was nurtured and mentored at CSIR-IIIM with several design calculations, 3D CAD designs and with several permutations & combinations in choice of materials and introducing solar thermal energy as basic input , a prototype called solar mech engine was developed under mentorship of Dr Nasir ul Rasheed , Senior Scientist in Renewable Energy Engg. This innovation was declared as a winner among 960 prototypes in 38 CSIR labs . By winning CSIR Epic Jigyasa Hackathon, the team is currently involved in Design registration of prototype.
The National Startup Festival 2025 by CSIR-IIIM concluded with the distribution of certificates among 45 startups, recognizing their contributions to the region’s entrepreneurial landscape.
(The author is a renowned Scientist and presently serves as Director CSIR-IIIM, Jammu)
The post IIIM mentors Startups to Business enterprises in J&K appeared first on Daily Excelsior.