The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), signed a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agreement with Gliders India Limited, a leading defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), to drive innovation in the healthcare sector.

Under this CSR collaboration, Gliders India Limited will provide financial assistance and mentorship to startups incubated at SIIC working on advanced medical technologies, digital health solutions, telemedicine applications, and healthcare infrastructure innovations. The partnership aims to leverage IIT Kanpur's technological prowess combined with Gliders India Limited's industry expertise to develop impactful solutions addressing critical healthcare challenges in India.

Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor-In-Charge of SIIC, IIT Kanpur, emphasised the shared mission to drive innovation: “We are thrilled to join forces with Gliders India Limited. This collaboration creates a powerful ecosystem where our incubated startups can tap into Gliders India Limited's vast industry experience to translate their innovations into real-world impact.”

Gliders India Limited will connect startups with domain experts, industry resources, and market networks, thereby accelerating their growth and commercialization journeys. The PSU's strategic support will enable these startups to navigate the complex healthcare landscape effectively.

Mr. V K Tiwari, Chairman and Managing Director of Gliders India Limited, echoed the sentiment: “As a responsible corporate citizen, Gliders India Limited is committed to positive societal change. Partnering with SIIC allows us to harness innovation's potential and contribute to national well-being by addressing pressing healthcare challenges.”

The MoU exchange ceremony at the Gliders India Limited Headquarters witnessed participation from key representatives of both organizations, including Mr. Piyush Mishra, CFO/COO; and Mr. Animesh Mishra, Head Defence from SIIC, IIT Kanpur; and Mr. Sunil Date, Director of Operations & HR; Mr. Surendra Dhapodkar, Director of Finance; Shri S.K. Singh, General Manager/Op & HR; and Shri B.L. Meena, Jt GM/HR & PV from Gliders India Limited, all expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration's potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery.

This industry-academia collaboration highlights SIIC, IIT Kanpur's dedication to encouraging synergies between educational institutions, industry players, and government bodies. By combining these strengths, SIIC and Gliders India Limited are poised to make significant strides in transforming healthcare for India and beyond.