The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), the technology business incubator at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, hosted a bootcamp to empower waste-to-value startups in association with MoHUA (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) at the IIT Kanpur Outreach Centre in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The event was held under the Startup Gateway for Garbage-Free Cities initiative and brought together stakeholders from the startup ecosystem, government officials, investors, and industry leaders.

The event was graced by the presence of esteemed individuals, including Shri. Binay Kumar Jha, Director of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Smt. Vandana Rao IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD); Shri Satya Prakash Singh, Chief General Manager, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI); and Mr. Kushal Kumar Banerjee, Chief General Manager, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, CEO of SIIC & AIIDE-CoE, IIT Kanpur, gave welcome remarks and highlighted the significant contributions of waste-to-value startups in addressing critical problem statements faced by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the waste management sector. Dr. Agarwal commended the startups' deep tech solutions that are driving remarkable advancements in waste management.

Professor Ankush Sharma, Professor-in-Charge, SIIC, IIT Kanpur, said, “Startups, with their advanced technologies, play a crucial role in managing waste efficiently, leading to a cleaner and healthier world. SIIC IIT Kanpur and MoHUA working together show how Cleantech and Greentech play an essential role in making cities garbage-free and ensuring good health for all. India is strongly committed to protecting the environment and creating a greener future, and SIIC is actively participating in these efforts.” He further emphasized that SIIC's involvement is vital in making India more sustainable and prosperous.

Shri. Binay Kumar Jha, Director of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, acknowledged the significance of the twenty startups in addressing challenges faced by marginalized communities. He announced the commitment of MoHUA and SIIC to support the next cohort of 45 startups, enabling them to leverage technology and social innovation for improving efficiency, creating social impact, and bringing transparency to India's waste management ecosystem.

Smt. Vandana Rao IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), expressed MCD's willingness to collaborate with startups that effectively address the key challenges in the waste value segment and create impactful solutions from the grassroots level.

Shri Satya Prakash Singh, Chief General Manager, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), New Delhi, highlighted SIDBI's support for SIIC incubated startups in their technology development endeavors. He emphasized the vast potential of Cleantech and Greentech sectors, where SIDBI can provide financial aid to startups focused on sustainability, empowering them to make a meaningful and substantial impact.

A thought-provoking panel discussion on "Waste to Wealth: Responsibility of Startup Ecosystem Enablers" took place after the initial addresses, featuring eminent speakers including Dr. Ajai Garg, Former Director, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India; Mr. Atin Biswas, Program Director, Centre for Science and Environment; Dr. Bharat Bhushan Nagar,  Senior Environmental Policy & Resources Efficiency Advisor, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) India; Mr. Shushant Vasisth, Manager, Fair Climate Fund (FCF) India; and Mr. Giriraj Singh Chundawat, Client Success Partner, IDFC Bank. The panel, moderated by Ms. Mitali Agarwal Mehta, Senior Program Manager at the India Sanitation Coalition, FIICI, explored the role of various stakeholders in enabling and nurturing startups working towards waste management and sustainability.

As part of the event, a session titled "SIIC Stalwarts: Sustainability Success Stories" was held, with Dr. Riddhi Mahansaria, Asst. Manager at SIIC IIT Kanpur, as the moderator. During this session, speakers Ms. Niharika Sharma, Manager, Phool.co, and Mr. Vinay Chataraju, Co-founder and CBO, Kritsnam Technologies, shared their inspiring success stories in the field of sustainable entrepreneurship. The session aimed to provide the audience with real-world examples of startups driven by sustainability, offering inspiration and insights into the possibilities of creating a positive impact through innovative and environmentally conscious business ventures.

The event also featured physical product demonstrations and startup pitching sessions, allowing startups to engage with banks, investors, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and other stakeholders to receive valuable feedback and explore potential partnerships to drive their waste management and sustainability initiatives to new heights.

The event concluded with a valedictory address by Dr. Arabinda Mitra, Former Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Government of India, who shared insights on the future of waste management and expressed admiration for SIIC's efforts in promoting innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship.

The event aimed to empower waste-to-value startups, promote sustainable entrepreneurship in waste management, and explore the potential for wealth creation and sustainable development. It provided a platform for startups to showcase their innovative ideas, connect with potential investors, and foster collaborations while driving positive change towards a greener and more sustainable world.