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

Under this collaborative CSR initiative, Gliders India Limited will extend financial support and mentorship to startups incubated at SIIC focusing on advanced medical technologies, digital health solutions, telemedicine applications, and innovations in healthcare infrastructure. The partnership aims to harness the technological expertise of IIT Kanpur in tandem with Gliders India Limited's industry acumen to devise impactful solutions addressing critical healthcare challenges in India.

Professor Ankush Sharma, Professor-In-Charge of SIIC, IIT Kanpur, underscored the joint commitment to fostering innovation, stating, "We are delighted to collaborate with Gliders India Limited. This partnership establishes a robust ecosystem wherein our incubated startups can leverage Gliders India Limited's extensive industry experience to translate their innovations into tangible societal impact."

Gliders India Limited will facilitate connections between startups and domain experts, industry resources, and market networks, thus expediting their growth and commercialization trajectories. The strategic support from the PSU will enable these startups to navigate the intricate healthcare landscape effectively.

Mr. V K Tiwari, Chairman and Managing Director of Gliders India Limited, echoed the sentiment, affirming the company's dedication to driving positive societal change. He remarked, "As a responsible corporate entity, Gliders India Limited is committed to contributing to national well-being by harnessing the potential of innovation. Partnering with SIIC enables us to address pressing healthcare challenges and make meaningful strides towards societal betterment."

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony held at the Gliders India Limited Headquarters witnessed the participation of key representatives from both organizations. They expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration's potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and underscored their commitment to leveraging synergies between academia and industry for societal impact.

This industry-academia collaboration exemplifies SIIC, IIT Kanpur's dedication to fostering partnerships between educational institutions, industry players, and government bodies. By pooling their strengths, SIIC and Gliders India Limited are poised to drive significant advancements in healthcare innovation, benefiting India and beyond.

About Gliders India Limited: Gliders India Limited is an Indian state-owned defence company headquartered at Ordnance Parachute Factory, Kanpur, India. Established in 2021 as part of the restructuring and corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board, GIL manufactures military parachutes for the Indian Armed Forces and foreign militaries, as well as parachutes for aero-sport and emergency services.

About SIIC, IIT Kanpur: Founded in 2000, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur is a frontrunner in India's incubation landscape, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs. Leveraging its extensive network of mentors, investors, and industry experts, SIIC guides young innovators with technological ambitions throughout their entrepreneurial journeys. Focused on deep-tech incubation, SIIC translates scientific and engineering solutions into practical applications, bridging the gap between nascent ideas and real-world impact while addressing national challenges and uplifting underserved communities.