In a significant stride for the agri-tech sector, experts have handpicked 24 start-ups for technical and financial support from a dedicated fund of Rs 20 crore. This groundbreaking initiative ATMAN (Agri sTartup deMo And funding) 2023 program.
ATMAN 2023 Program
Organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with four Technology Innovation Hubs, the ATMAN (Agri sTartup deMo And funding) 2023 program has been pivotal in shaping this endeavour. These hubs, established under the National Mission on Inter-disciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) at prominent Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), have identified and nurtured these promising agri-start-ups.
ATMAN 2023 Program: Unveiling the Innovations and 24 Potential Beneficiaries of the Rs 20 Crore Fund
A total of 55 start-ups actively participated in the ATMAN 2023 program, showcasing their innovative solutions across five panels. These panels revolved around precision farming, agro IoT, agri 4.0, mechanization, automation, market intelligence, yield prediction, farm advisory, and communication. Following a rigorous evaluation, a panel of experts singled out and recommended 24 start-ups as potential recipients of the Rs 20 Crore fund.
Recognizing Excellence in Innovation
The ATMAN 2023 program also celebrated excellence in innovation by presenting the “Best Pitch Award” to top-notch presentations. This recognition underscores the pivotal role that emerging technologies are playing in revolutionizing the agricultural sector. Additionally, the event provided a platform to showcase 20 key agri-tech technologies developed by the four Technology Innovation Hubs, fostering innovation and collaboration within the industry.
Synergy Among Stakeholders
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, emphasized the crucial need for synergy between research, academia, start-ups, and industry. He highlighted how such collaborations drive the development of innovative products and effectively promote and market them on national and global stages.
Filling the Gap in Agri-Tech Start-ups
Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Adviser at DST and Secretary SERB, drew attention to the relatively low number of agricultural deep tech start-ups. He expressed optimism about the sector’s growth and explained how this initiative aimed to bridge the gap, extending its reach across the country. Plans may involve the participation of agricultural universities and colleges, further strengthening the agri-tech ecosystem.
Launch of Initiatives
The ATMAN 2023 program also marked the initiation of several significant initiatives. These include the Grand Challenge and Competition (GCC) for Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, “SAMRIDHI 2.0,” focusing on holistic innovation and development for ICPS Start-ups, and the release of the Quantum Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST) compendium and ATMAN booklet.
Catalyzing Agricultural Transformation: Empowering Agri-Tech Start-ups for a Sustainable Future
By identifying and supporting promising start-ups, fostering collaboration, and recognizing innovation, this initiative promises to drive transformative changes in agriculture. With the backing of the government and industry stakeholders, these agri-tech start-ups are well-positioned to lead the way in revolutionizing farming practices and ensuring food security for the nation.
