Srinagar, 21 April (H.S): In a significant step to advance and support the innovation ecosystem in J&K, Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) of CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) here today signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four promising start-ups of J&K and Ladakh.

The four start-ups – Mama Agro of Leh, Arsh Mushrooms of Kathua, Gulmarg Mushroom Farms of Baramulla and Khorasan Hi-Tech Food Processing of Pulwama are involved in the cultivation of medicinal mushrooms and fermentation products.

Through this signing of MoUs, AIC-IIIM has connected with various regions of J&K as well as Ladakh to promote entrepreneurship, thereby taking the total number of its incubatees to five.

The MoUs were signed by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM and Chairman of AIC-IIIM Bio-Innovation Foundation with Arun Sharma of Arsh Mushrooms, Rinchen Angchok of Mama Agro, Gowhar Lone of Gulmarg Mushroom Farms and Dr. Javid Ahmad Dar of Khorasan Hi-Tech Food Processing.

Speaking on the occasion, Director CSIR-IIIM, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed said that the twin union Territories of J&K and Ladakh are bestowed with huge natural resources coupled with the rich brains.

“There are ample opportunities for young startups and entrepreneurs of this region to develop and commercialize their products with the incubation support being extended by AIC-IIIM,” he maintained expressing optimism over enrolling of startups by AIC and emphasized that the signing of MoUs marked the beginning of mutually beneficial partnerships fostering innovation, economic development and societal impact. From AIC-IIIM, he assured the start-ups of all possible support including R&D, mentoring and market linkages for ensuring their success.

The four Startups which entered into agreement with AIC-IIIM were M/S Arsh Mushrooms of Kathua, M/S Mama Agro of Leh, M/S Gulmarg Mushroom Farms and M/S Khorasan Hi-Tech Food Processing.

Earlier, the startups gave detailed presentations in front of the evaluation committee and were assessed on the basis of their unique innovation, domain expertise and business plan viability.

Prominent among others present on the occasion were Abdul Rahim, Head CSIR-IIIM (Br.) Srinagar and Vice Chairman, AIC-IIIM Bio-innovation Foundation, Dr. Syed Muzamil Ahmad, Principal Investigator, AIC and Syed Abdul Basit Andrabi, Coordinator AIC-IIIM.

Hindusthan Samachar/ Krishan/Manoj