New Delhi, January 17, 2026 — On the occasion of National Startup Day 2026, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), through its startup incubation centre AIIA–iCAINE (Incubation Centre for Ayurveda Innovation and Entrepreneurship), organised an Awareness Programme on MSME Opportunities for Ayurveda-based Startups at its campus in New Delhi. The programme was conducted in collaboration with the MSME–Development & Facilitation Office, Government of India.
The event brought together policymakers, academic leaders, startup enablers, and aspiring entrepreneurs to discuss strengthening the startup and MSME ecosystem, particularly in the fields of Ayurveda, wellness and integrative health innovations.
Focus on Innovation, Policy Support and Startup Enablement
The sessions highlighted key aspects critical for early-stage startups, including:
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Government schemes and institutional support for MSMEs
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Innovation and entrepreneurship frameworks in Ayurveda
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Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection
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Certification and standardization requirements
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Financial support mechanisms and access to funding
Key Speakers and Contributions
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Arun Kumar, who underscored the growing relevance of innovation-driven entrepreneurship in Ayurveda.
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Shri Sunil Kumar, Deputy Director, MSME outlined various MSME schemes and government initiatives supporting Ayurveda enterprises.
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Prof. Manjusha Rajagopala shared insights on the role of academic institutions in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial capacity.
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The keynote address by Dr. R. K. Bharti, Joint Director, MSME emphasized the importance of a policy-backed ecosystem to promote startups and MSMEs, especially in traditional medicine and wellness sectors.
Expert Sessions on IPR and Funding
The technical sessions featured expert perspectives on critical startup enablers:
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Ms. Sangeeta Nagar (former Senior Scientist, DPIIT) delivered a session on the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for startups and innovators.
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Ms. Jyoti Neeraj, Senior Manager, SIDBI elaborated on financial instruments, credit facilities, and funding opportunities available for startups and MSMEs.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Sujith Eranezhath, CEO, AIIA–iCAINE, and Shri Naveen Kumar, Assistant Director, MSME.
Strengthening the Ayurveda Startup Ecosystem
The event reaffirmed AIIA–iCAINE’s commitment to building a robust, innovation-driven entrepreneurship ecosystem rooted in Ayurveda and aligned with national priorities for startup growth, MSME development, and sustainable healthcare innovation.
Recognised as a Host Institute by the Ministry of MSME, AIIA–iCAINE continues to provide a structured platform for innovators to transform ideas into scalable and impactful enterprises.
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Source: PIB
