ArdorComm Media Bureau
April 24, 2026
What initiatives are being undertaken under your leadership at i-Hub Gujarat?
We are a Government of Gujarat enterprise working with higher education institutions and schools to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. i-Hub supports students in their journey from “mind to market.”
We help them ideate solutions to real-world problems in industry, society, and the market. We provide exposure, capital, and grants, ensuring that they build innovations that are useful for end users.
I attended your conference today, and it was a great program. Such platforms help in sharing best practices. While product innovation is important, process, systemic, and pedagogical innovations are equally critical.
These interactions inspire institutions that are just beginning their journey and allow them to replicate successful models. As a government body, our role is to support such platforms where creativity and innovation are being promoted.
When it comes to skilling and innovation, is there a specific level where students should begin?
Under our Student Startup and Innovation Policy, any student from Grade 8 onwards is eligible.
We have four key focus areas. First, we aim to promote creativity among school students. Second, we work with higher education students, including those in non-professional courses like BA, BCom, and BSc. Third, we focus on professional education such as engineering and management.
We do not restrict support to any one segment. We support students across all stages—idea stage, research stage, and product stage.
We provide grants of up to ₹2.5 lakh for idea-stage projects in schools and colleges, and up to ₹10 lakh support through i-Hub. Overall, the government is investing significantly to empower young innovators and help them express their creativity.
How do platforms like this, bringing together academia, corporates, and government, contribute to society?
Such platforms are extremely valuable because policymakers like us get direct insights into what is happening on the ground. This helps us design better, more agile policies.
At the same time, stakeholders such as institutions, students, and faculty get an opportunity to interact with policymakers and share feedback.
These platforms act as a bridge between beneficiaries and policymakers. They bring together institutions, students, government bodies, and the private sector on one platform.
I saw many institutional leaders here today, which shows their commitment to innovation and education. Platforms like yours play an important role in strengthening this ecosystem.
Any message or wishes for ArdorComm as it completes four years?
You have built this platform with your own effort and vision, which is commendable. From a government perspective, your contribution towards implementing the vision of the National Education Policy is noteworthy.
We believe platforms like yours act as complementary enablers alongside the government in achieving educational goals.
Together, the public sector, private sector, and civil society can bring meaningful change in the coming years.