SINE IIT Bombay launches Hub-and-Spoke initiative to strengthen startup ecosystem
The Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay has launched a national ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ initiative to strengthen startup incubation and technology-led entrepreneurship across the country, with Nagpur selected as the first regional ecosystem under the model.
The initiative aims to connect academic institutions, incubators and research organisations so that startups can access incubation expertise, specialised infrastructure, mentors, investors and industry networks beyond their own institutions. SINE will function as the central hub, while partner institutions will contribute their research capabilities, laboratories and regional connections.
The first regional engagement was held on October 12 at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, where representatives from 10 institutions and incubation organisations discussed ways to build a more connected startup ecosystem. SINE and VNIT Ventures Vault Foundation (V3F) also signed an agreement, marking the first institutional partnership under the initiative.
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SINE IIT Bombay Hub-and-Spoke initiative
Under the model, SINE will share its incubation frameworks, mentoring resources, portfolio management practices and investor networks with partner institutions. The network will also facilitate co-incubation, technology commercialisation, funding support and industry partnerships.
The participating institutions included VNIT, IIM Nagpur Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (InFED), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Nagpur and Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, among others.
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Nagpur startup ecosystem
The discussions identified collaboration opportunities in deep technology, healthcare, agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, mining, veterinary sciences and fisheries. Milind Atrey, deputy director, IIT Bombay, said the initiative would connect institutional strengths with incubation expertise and capital access to support research-led entrepreneurship.
Nishant Sharma, professor-in-charge, SINE, IIT Bombay, described the initiative as an effort towards “empowering existing incubators, connecting regional ecosystems” and expanding opportunities for startups.
SINE plans to organise monthly interactions among incubators, institutional visits and knowledge-sharing programmes. It also intends to identify pilot startups and develop co-incubation arrangements before expanding the model to other cities and states.