Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, has introduced the Ministry of Education – AICTE Investor Network. This collaborative initiative by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) and the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) is designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the education sector.

The official statement highlights the network's primary objectives, which include offering vital financial support, mentoring, and strategic guidance to early-stage startups led by students or faculty members. The initiative seeks to promote private investment in these educational startups, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The statement emphasizes that the 'MoE-AICTE Investor Network' aims to empower educational institutions to evolve into innovation hubs. It envisions creating a conducive environment for startup development and facilitating entrepreneurship by transforming innovative ideas into scalable and sustainable businesses. The network will provide startups with essential resources, mentorship, seed capital, and access to potential investors.

The policies and processes of the 'MoE-AICTE Investor Network,' a 10-member steering committee have been established. Chaired by Dr. Abhay Jere, the committee is tasked with facilitating the onboarding of 100 investors with diverse profiles. Its responsibilities include establishing eligibility criteria for startups seeking funding, drafting policy documents, monitoring the progress of funded projects, developing working guidelines, creating funding parameters, and much more.

Through Investor Network, the organisers aim to bridge the gap between investors and transformative educational initiatives, fostering collaboration for advancing education and technology.

News Source: The Indian Express