The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) on Monday, 11 May organised the Regional AIM SUMVAAD – Central India Edition at the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) in Indore, convening stakeholders from government, industry, academia, startups, and incubators to strengthen State-Centre collaboration and build a more robust innovation ecosystem across Central India. The conclave drew representatives from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, alongside startup councils, CSR partners, and ecosystem enablers.

What AIM SUMVAAD Set Out to Achieve

The initiative was designed to deepen engagement between state governments, startups, incubators, and industry leaders while promoting inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation-led growth through collaborative partnerships. Sessions focused on strengthening incubation ecosystems, scaling state-led innovation initiatives, and improving coordination between governments, academia, industry, and startup ecosystems. A dedicated session on building effective people and culture in incubation centres explored sustainable entrepreneurship models capable of adapting to shifting market conditions.

Key Voices at the Conclave

Deepak Bagla, Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, said incubators form the backbone of a dynamic startup ecosystem by transforming ideas into impactful ventures. He noted that AIM, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Biotechnology, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), is working to strengthen the startup ecosystem through improved infrastructure, mentorship, funding access, and collaborative initiatives such as AIM SUMVAAD.

Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore, observed that India's startup ecosystem is moving from a service mindset to a science mindset, adding that DeepTech innovation would require patient capital and a stronger focus on long-term research rather than quick returns — a pointed remark at a time when early-stage funding cycles have shortened considerably.

Viraj Bhanage, Director of RRCAT and Chairman of AIC π-Hub, highlighted the role of incubators in supporting the next generation of startups and said initiatives like AIM SUMVAAD help strengthen ties between entrepreneurs, institutions, and ecosystem enablers.

Dr. Abha Rishi, Executive Head of the Madhya Pradesh Startup Centre, said incubators are central to building a sustainable innovation ecosystem and driving entrepreneurship across the country.

Why Central India Matters for the Startup Push

Central India — spanning Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh — represents a large, underserved geography in India's startup map, where incubation density and early-stage capital access lag behind metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. The AIM SUMVAAD format, which brings the Centre's innovation agenda directly to regional stakeholders, is part of a broader effort to decentralise India's startup ecosystem and unlock talent and ideas beyond Tier-1 cities. This is notably one of several regional editions of SUMVAAD, reflecting AIM's push to build a pan-India incubation network anchored in state partnerships.

What Comes Next

The discussions at Indore are expected to feed into actionable frameworks for state-level incubation policy, with a focus on enabling innovation-driven economic growth and creating opportunities for startups in emerging sectors. As AIM continues its regional outreach, the outcomes of the Central India edition will likely inform upcoming editions across other parts of the country.