IIT Kanpur’s Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) recently hosted the first edition of FUEL 2025, a strategic investor meeting aimed at connecting promising startups with investors, corporations, and public institutions. Held at the SIIC Innovation Hub in Noida, the event sought to accelerate the transition of innovations from the lab to the market.
FUEL 2025 brought together venture capitalists, angel investors, corporates, government officials, and academics to provide a platform for 20 SIIC-incubated startups. These startups presented their solutions in various sectors, including clean energy, defense, healthcare, and cybersecurity, during focused one-on-one sessions with potential investors.
The event was inaugurated by Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, who emphasized the importance of bridging innovations with the necessary capital to transform them into viable products. He highlighted the rapid growth of the startup ecosystem in line with India’s Startup India mission and announced the creation of special funds to support student and faculty startups.
Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, praised the entrepreneurial spirit of India’s youth and highlighted government initiatives that provide opportunities for agri-tech startups. Keynote speaker Shri Rahul Garg, Founder & CEO of Moglix, shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of passion, execution, and resilience.
The event also saw the announcement of SIDBI’s SEED Equity Support for three startups and the launch of the EXIM Bank Seed Fund to bolster early-stage ventures. Two significant partnerships were formalized, aiming to enhance startup support through collaboration and mentorship.
Startups presented innovative solutions, including advanced veterinary diagnostic kits, AI-driven R&D acceleration tools, vertical-axis wind turbines, and modular floating infrastructure, among others. Shri Anurag Singh, CEO of SIIC IIT Kanpur, expressed the vision of making IIT Kanpur a leading incubator, highlighting the ecosystem’s achievements and future ambitions.
The event concluded with one-on-one meetings between investors and founders, setting the stage for future collaborations and partnerships. FUEL 2025 has positioned SIIC as a national hub for innovation, empowering startups to scale and create transformative impacts across various sectors.
