Assam CM Calls for Stronger Innovation Ecosystem in Northeast

GUWAHATI, September 10: Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday called for a stronger and more collaborative innovation ecosystem in the Northeast, stressing the potential of entrepreneurship and technology-led innovation to drive economic growth and create new opportunities in the region.

Addressing the MC² + Ignite Outreach Programme at IIT Guwahati, Sarma highlighted the growing interest among young innovators and entrepreneurs in the region. The programme, hosted by the Technology Incubation Centre, IIT Guwahati, was centred on the theme “Start-Up Ecosystem in the Northeast Region”.

The event brought together start-ups, students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, industry leaders and academic institutions to discuss technology development, industry collaboration, funding, deployment and opportunities for scaling innovative solutions.

More than 200 start-ups participated in the programme, which recorded over 1,500 registrations and around 1,000 students, reflecting the expanding interest in entrepreneurship and innovation in the Northeast, according to the organisers.

Oil India Limited served as the anchor PSU for the programme. Among those attending were Assam Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota, IIT Guwahati Director Prof Devendra Jalihal, IIT Madras Institute Professor Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Oil India Chairman and Managing Director Dr Ranjit Rath, Numaligarh Refinery Managing Director Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan and MC² Foundation CEO Sandeep Maheshwari.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the MC²+ Co-Working Space and Innovation Node at the NRL Centre in Guwahati. The facility, equipped with more than 50 workstations and 16 cabins, aims to provide start-ups with infrastructure, expertise and industry connections to accelerate innovation and growth.

The initiative seeks to strengthen collaboration among government, academia, industry and entrepreneurs.