India News | Gujarat’s Defence Tech Push: I-Hub Gujarat, SanchiConnect Empower Defence, Aerospace Startups

Ahmedabad (Gujarat), September 23 (ANI): Gujarat is creating new opportunities for defence, drone and aerospace startups to take their innovations forward, with i-Hub Gujarat and deep-tech enablement network SanchiConnect providing startups access to investors, industry leaders, mentorship and technology showcases.

Around 30 deep-tech startups are being supported through these platforms, helping innovators build industry connections, understand markets and explore opportunities in the defence sector.

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Founder of Villonex Cryogenics, Omnish Adroja, said SanchiConnect gave the company an opportunity to showcase its product at the SkyTech Exhibition.

“SanchiConnect gave us an opportunity to showcase our product at the SkyTech Exhibition. Through these programmes, we also got the chance to interact with senior Air Force officials, including the Chief Marshal of the Air Force. We were also able to connect with several private companies that are already working in the defence sector,” Adroja said.

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Founder of Durgastra Innovations Pvt Ltd, Paridhi Karmarkar, said i-Hub Gujarat has supported the company through various programmes and helped it build useful industry contacts.

“We have received a lot of support from i-Hub and have been able to build many useful contacts through it. We have also taken part in several acceleration programmes, including SanchiConnect and Tattvax, which have helped us a lot. We have also applied for the Srujan Grant, and we hope it will help us take our work forward,” Karmarkar said.

The platforms are helping startups move beyond product showcases by providing opportunities to build industry connections, understand market requirements and engage with organisations working in the defence sector.

Additional Director of airX Innovations Pvt Ltd, Urvish Mandaliya, said i-Hub has supported the company through various events and startup programmes, including Urban X events.

“We have received a lot of support from iHub through various events and startup programmes, including Urban X events. We were also shortlisted for a pilot project with AMC. iHub has been very supportive and has helped us at different stages of our journey,” Mandaliya said.

The initiative is also bringing investors and corporate leaders closer to emerging technologies. More than 20 industry representatives participated in the two-day Demo Day held under the second cohort.

CEO of i-Hub Gujarat, Hiranmay Mahanta, said the organisation’s Startup Acceleration Programme supports startups after incubation, when they are ready to enter the market, raise investments and grow their businesses.

“iHub Gujarat runs a flagship programme called the Startup Acceleration Programme. After incubation, when startups are ready to enter the market, raise investments and grow their business, this programme provides them with the right support,” Mahanta said.

Mahanta added that around 30 to 40 startups from different sectors are supported through the three-to-four-month programme, with assistance in understanding the market, connecting with investors and taking their businesses forward.

The initiative is connecting deep-tech startups with mentors, investors and industry, helping innovative technologies move towards market applications and supporting the development of indigenous defence, aerospace and space technologies in India. (ANI)

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