SOA University Bags NITI Aayog Grant to Set Up Atal Incubation Centre

Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University has received a ₹10 crore NITI Aayog grant to set up the Atal Incubation Centre–SOA Foundation, fostering startups in HealthTech, AgriTech, AI, and CleanTech across Odisha.

Bhubaneswar, Oct 19: In a major boost to Odisha’s innovation ecosystem, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University has secured a prestigious Grant-in-Aid from the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog to establish the Atal Incubation Centre – SOA Foundation (AIC-SOA Foundation).

The initiative marks a significant milestone as SOA becomes home to the third Atal Incubation Centre in Odisha, underscoring its growing prominence in research and entrepreneurship. The AIC-SOA Foundation aims to nurture innovation-driven enterprises that align with the national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and contribute to India’s self-reliance through technology and startup growth.

The journey toward this achievement began in 2022, led by Prof. Goutam Rath, Dr. Manisha Acharya, Prof. Naresh Sahoo, and Prof. Renu Sharma, along with the university’s leadership team. Their sustained efforts culminated in the sanctioning of a Rs 10-crore grant, with the first tranche already released by AIM.

Expressing gratitude to NITI Aayog and the AIM team, SOA University officials said the establishment of the AIC-SOA Foundation is a collective success for the entire SOA community, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.

Prof. Manas Kumar Mallick, Director of the AIC-SOA Foundation, said the incubation centre will focus on nurturing startups and innovators in HealthTech, AgriTech, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, CleanTech, and Social Innovation.

“The AIC-SOA Foundation will empower young entrepreneurs in Odisha and eastern India, providing them with resources, mentorship, and a platform to translate ideas into impactful enterprises,” Prof. Mallick added.

The newly established centre is expected to play a pivotal role in creating employment opportunities, promoting sustainable technologies, and contributing to the broader mission of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.