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“Today, we're in an idea economy. It is about how clever, innovative, differentiated your idea is.”
– Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Biocon
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Feature: Going Virtual
Lockdown did not diffuse the energy and efforts of SINE-IITB's contribution to the startup ecosystem. This was possible primarily through optimal use of technology platforms to stay connected. Right from the word go, SINE-IITB has been actively engaging with the ecosystem through initiatives such as upskilling, enhanced learning opportunities from experts, and collaborative efforts with organizations in order to empower startups and entrepreneurs to look at problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity.
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SINE-DST-Intel India Program-Plugin
The SINE, DST-GOI (Department of Science and Technology) Intel India collaborative program Plugin, moved to a completely virtual model comprising 1-1 interaction with coaches, organizers, webinars, monthly progress review, and feedback sessions, and connection with relevant customers and investors.
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Ecosystem Engagement
SINE-CII Industry-Startup Connect Series
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) WR Start-up in association with SINE has started a Corporate Connect Series. The objective is to bring together key stakeholders from the industry and promising start-ups on a common platform to explore possible collaboration.
Given the current pandemic situation, the first gathering was held in a virtual mode on 30th June 2020, with the theme Enabling healthcare delivery via technology adoption. Fifteen startups presented before forty corporates, followed by one-on-one meetings.
The occasion was graced by Hon. Shri. Vishwajit P Rane Minister Health, Industries, Trade & Commerce, Women & Child Development and Skill Development, Government of Goa.
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Incubators Meetup
As a leading business incubator in the country, SINE implements various programs in collaboration with many Government departments and supports upcoming incubators. During this hour of need these incubators were not left behind. SINE organised meetups for these incubators to come together and share their views on challenges faced by them.
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The meetup held for 12 incubators by SINE as a mentoring centre, under TIDE program by MeitY-GOI (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) to discuss the Challenges, Uncertainties & measures under 'New Normal' Post COVID19, and to understand the strengths and areas of support of the centers so that all the members of this cohort can benefit the TIDE 2.0 scheme. MeitY officials were part of the session.
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SINE is the Program Management Unit, nominated by DST,GOI (Department of Science and Technology) to run its nationwide NIDHI-PRAYAS program for funding innovators for prototyping their ideas. The 31 incubation centers across India implementing the program were briefed on the Implementation of the PRAYAS program by SINE team in an online gathering. Dr. Anita Gupta and Dr. Naveen Vasishta from DST addressed the participating PRAYAS Centres.
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SINE's participation at External Webinars
SINE CEO, Ms. Poyni Bhatt, was invited as a speaker for several online sessions and webinars by Startup Ecosystem enablers.
- Incubators & Accelerators stimulating the Indian Start-up ecosystem by NASSCOM
- Adapt to the times by Startup India
- Innovation Labs of India by 100x.VC
- Government's Start-to-Scale Programs for Innovators & Entrepreneurs by iHub Gujarat
- Startup Governance by swissnex India, Innosuisse and SINE IIT
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Skillset Enablers
For the benefit of its startups SINE partnered with two ecosystem enablers
 
Lead Angels Academy is offering short course on entrepreneurship to help equip entrepreneurs with a basic understanding of core requirements of starting up.
Leadership Centre gives an opportunity to entrepreneurs to enhance their leadership skills through their online platform where Startups can avail their library of courses which are a combination of profiling instruments and audio and video content that are core to leadership.
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Startup Space
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused startups to resort to a Work-From-Home system of operations. In order to guide startups to improve their operations during these times, SINE-IITB launched a theme based mentoring sessions open to entrepreneurs across India.
Mentoring Sessions
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A weekly series of expert sessions titled Power Hour with SINE was held where experts from the industry were invited to provide valuable insights on topics that would educate and help entrepreneurs navigate their way around this situation of economic crisis and sustain their business models effectively.
We saw enthusiastic participation from entrepreneurs around the country with each session attracting over 100 attendees and the initiative has been a resounding success, with several attendees sharing positive feedback on the same.
Visit SINE's youtube channel to view all recordings. Click here
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A virtual classroom was set up for startups to gain access to SINE's mentorship support. Two-week-long cohort on Basics of Business in the month of June 2020. Candidates/startups from various grants and prototypes programs participated in the cohort. The cohort was designed for startups from all domains. It provided an opportunity for candidates for one on one interaction with the mentor.
As a Bio Incubator (BIONEST) & BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant) partner by BIRAC(Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) & DBT-GOI (Department of Biotechnology) SINE has conducted multiple pre-TEP (Technical Evaluation Panel) mentoring sessions for the BIG applicants recommended to the stage.
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Startups in news
Lockdown has not stopped SINE-IITB startups from achieving major milestones. Over the last two months, a few SINE-Incubated startups have made major progress and hit important milestones.
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h2e Power Systems
SINE supported startup h2e power systems backed by the Poonawalla Group led by Adar Ponawalla has acquired Swiss Fuel-Cell expert, Hexis AG in a bid to gain a boost to their Fuel-Cell technology and expand their operations at a global scale.
This acquisition is also an important step in introducing clean energy technologies to the Indian markets & make good our commitment to "Swadeshi Urja for a Swawalambi Bharat.”
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ImmunoAdaptive
SINE incubated startup, ImmunoAdaptive Cell Therapy, (ImmunoACT) has made a breakthrough in its development of indigenous CAR-T cells which are affordable and improved means of Cancer Treatment. Prof. Rahul Purwar’s founder of Immunoact developed CAR-T cells has got approved for the first-in-human phase-I/II clinical trial. and will become a part of the treatment procedure for cancer patients as part of a team led by Dr. Gaurav Nerula of Tata Memorial Hospital.
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Aubotz Labs
Peppermint, a product by SINE incubated Aubotz Labs Pvt. Ltd. has attracted investment from former Castrol Asia head and Venture Capitalist, Naveen Kshatriya. Read more...
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Euphotic Labs
SINE invested company, Euphotic Labs Pvt. Ltd. got featured in The Indian Express for its innovative Cooking Robot that has been helping people cop with lockdown by cooking home-made dishes automatically without needing much human input. Read more..
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Funding Support
Many SINE startups have raised funding from investors and received Government funds for their solution related to COVID-19. The Startups who have received funds from various government agencies are
  
   
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SINE's efforts towards skeletal operations
Following Unlock-1 guidelines, SINE has gradually started operations with on-demand limited access to SINE-Labs and office space for startups who are in need of infrastructural support. During this process, utmost importance has been given to the protocols to be followed for social distancing and other hygiene standards based on directives issued by the Government and IIT Bombay authorities from time to time.
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