Microsoft, in collaboration with Ahmedabad-based iCreate, has taken a significant step towards nurturing AI startups in India. The two entities signed MoUs on Wednesday to kickstart a program aimed at fostering the growth of artificial intelligence startups in the country.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister for Electronics and Technology, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, stating that it aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for advancing innovation in the tech sector. The agreement is set to propel the goals outlined during PM Modi’s meeting with Microsoft chairman Satya Nadella last year.
Chandrasekhar emphasized the importance of partnerships in accelerating India’s innovation ecosystem. He highlighted the INDIAai initiative, a national platform dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, as a central hub for all AI-related activities in India and beyond.
The minister also noted that the next wave of startups is expected to emerge in pivotal areas like AI, semiconductors, electronics, high-performance computing, and Web 3.0. He commended the Modi government for its commitment to nurturing impactful partnerships in AI and other emerging technologies, with a focus on encouraging startups in both major cities and smaller towns across the country.
Established in 2012, iCreate is backed by the governments of Gujarat and India, with a specific focus on promoting entrepreneurship among the next generation. The collaboration between Microsoft and iCreate underscores the government’s push for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in non-traditional startup hubs like Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and Surat.
This strategic partnership aims to leverage the collective expertise of Microsoft and iCreate to empower startups in the field of artificial intelligence, driving growth and innovation in India’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
