The prestigious World Agri-Tech Summit 2024, held in Dubai, brought together global leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore the future of agriculture and sustainability. Hosted by Rethink Events, the summit featured 300 delegates, 76 speakers from 37 countries, and key representation from iHub – AWaDH, a Technology Innovation Hub established under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar. This initiative aligns with Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to leverage emerging technologies for addressing global challenges and building a robust deep-tech startup ecosystem.
Spotlight on Startups and Innovation Mukesh Kestwal, Chief Innovation Officer at iHub – AWaDH, played a key role as both jury member and speaker in the Startup Showcase Session. During this session, he evaluated four groundbreaking startups from India, Singapore, Kenya, and Morocco, providing invaluable insights and feedback that underscored iHub – AWaDH’s commitment to supporting innovative entrepreneurs.
Incubation spree by iHub – AWaDH
As part of its deep-tech mission, iHub – AWaDH has incubated 114 startups, which have collectively raised ₹96 crore in external funding and received ₹16 crore in direct investments. Two of its incubated startups showcased their innovations at the summit:
- CropRover – Founded by Priyan Shah and Taha Malik, CropRover presented pioneering robotic crop management technology, aimed at revolutionizing agricultural efficiency.
- Mkelly BioTech – Co-founded by Dr. Vipasha Sharma, Mkelly BioTech shared significant advancements in agricultural biotechnology, emphasizing sustainable farming practices.
Strengthening Global Partnerships IIT Ropar’s iHub – AWaDH further bolstered its global outreach by formalizing two key partnerships during the summit:
- ESG WEISE: A Dubai-based sustainability advisory firm providing strategic guidance to corporates and SMEs.
- PRYM Solution Private Limited (Salam Kisan): A Maharashtra-based startup promoting rural resilience and sustainable agricultural development.
These collaborations reflect iHub – AWaDH’s dedication to driving impactful innovations and fostering global connections to address sustainability challenges.
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Leadership in AgriTech and ClimateTech Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh, Dean R&D at IIT Ropar, iHub – AWaDH is driving advancements in AgriTech, ClimateTech, and Sustainability. Two key initiatives continue to underscore its leadership in these areas:
- Center of Excellence (CoE) for AI in Agriculture – Established by the Ministry of Education.
- Technology Innovation Hub for Agriculture and Water – Supported by the DST’s NM-ICPS.
Reflecting on the summit’s impact, Mukesh Kestwal said, “Our mission is to build a future defined by innovation, sustainability, and impactful collaborations. Through our startups, technology verticals, and partnerships, we aim to address critical challenges in deep-tech for agriculture and beyond.”
Engaging with the Global Community Beyond the World Agri-Tech Summit, Mukesh Kestwal represented IIT Ropar at the IIT Delhi Alumni Summit in Dubai. During this event, he engaged with venture capitalists, corporates, and prominent leaders from the Dubai region. Discussions focused on the role of AI in enabling deep-tech startups, further solidifying IIT Ropar’s position as a leader in global innovation ecosystems.
A Vision for a Sustainable Future As the World Agri-Tech Summit 2024 concluded, IIT Ropar’s iHub – AWaDH reaffirmed its vision to develop transformative solutions for agriculture and sustainability. Through global collaborations, cutting-edge deep-tech innovations, and a growing startup ecosystem, iHub – AWaDH is making significant contributions to addressing critical global challenges and shaping a sustainable future.