Kuldeep Arya, IAS, Addl, Industries Commissioner (S.P), Government of Gujarat, during a press conference announced that Industries Commissionerate, Gujarat is organising a Seminar themed “STARTUPS: Unlocking the Infinite Potential” on 11th January 2024 at Seminar Hall-1, Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, during Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. The seminar aims to explore the role of start-ups in fostering innovation and driving economic growth in India. 

While sharing the details of the event, Arya shared that the inaugural session will kick off Avinash Punekar, CEO of iCreate, followed by a presentation on the Start-up Ecosystem of Gujarat. It will also feature addresses by dignitaries including Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Sumeet Jarangal, Director, DPIIT and Jay Yagnik, vice president and Engineering Fellow at Google, United States emphasizing the promotion of innovation within the startup ecosystem. 

He shared that a key highlight is the Open Dialogue titled "Start-ups: The Building Blocks of the New India (Viksit Bharat @2047)," where distinguished panelists representing various facets of the startup ecosystem engage in a discussion. Focused on how cutting-edge technologies can contribute to a self-reliant nation, the panel will explore key areas for startups to play a pivotal role in achieving ambitious economic milestones. 

He remarked that the seminar also features "Unplugged Talks" with a thematic focus on the "Global Innovation Centre for National Development." This segment involves a broad impact panel discussion, bringing together thought leaders with a blend of global and national perspectives. The aim is to glean insights on the kind of ecosystem required for the development of the nation at an institutional level. 

He further shared that the event will also include addresses from international national participants such as Shri T Natarajan, IAS, iDEX Additional Secretary (Defence Production), Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and chair, Start-up20 Engagement Group, Dr. Madhukumar Mehta, chief mentor emeritus, iCreate and Alok Kshirsagar / Sathya Prathipati, senior partner, McKinsey, Krishna Yellepeddy, CTO for IBM Security Expert Labs, IBM, Austin, Texas, United States, Dr. Piyush Desai, ex. vice president / co-founder, Turntide Technologies, United States, Dr. Harry Yuklea, president- Quantum Innovations Ltd, Israel and Prof. Dr. Touradj Ebrahimi, JPEG Convenor, founder Ray Shaper SA, Switzerland. 

While concluding he shared that, for positioning Gujarat on a global map as a Hub for Start-Up Ecosystem, the seminar will focus discussions on Enhanced Innovation Ecosystem, Strategic Roadmap for Economic Growth, Empowerment of Startups, Institutional-Level Learning, and Global Collaboration, Networking, and Collaboration Opportunities and make the State Future Ready for Viksit Bharat @2047. 

Kuldeep Arya concluded the conference by extending a warm invitation to all concerned stakeholders, industry experts, and policymakers to join this impactful session.