New Delhi: The International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate) and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) facilitated by the Ministry of Electronics & IT to enhance AI startups in India. This MoU aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision expressed during his meeting with Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella last year.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar presided over the MoU signing, emphasizing that this partnership will support and transform AI startups in both major cities and smaller towns and villages.
During his speech, the Minister stated, “The MoU signing between Microsoft and iCreate to launch the IMPEL AI program will catalyze AI startups in India, furthering PM Modi’s vision expressed during his meeting with Microsoft’s CEO last year. This partnership reflects our shared vision to build impactful collaborations in AI and emerging technologies, fostering startups not only in large cities but also in smaller towns. We believe partnerships are key to accelerating the growth of our innovation ecosystem. This partnership will not only be long-lasting but will also shape the future of India and Microsoft’s goals with IndiaAI. The Indian innovation ecosystem has reached a turning point, and the Next Wave of startups will emerge from emerging technologies like AI, semiconductors, and HPC, shaping the future of technology. Our government is committed to shaping, nurturing, and catalyzing the future of Safe & Trusted AI.”
Microsoft and iCreate, in the presence of Minister Chandrasekhar, have launched the iMPEL-AI (iCreate-Microsoft program for Emerging Leaders in Artificial Intelligence). The program aims to identify 1100 AI innovators across India to become AI Most Valuable Players (MVPs) and focuses on priority themes of Healthcare, Financial Inclusion, Sustainability, Education, Agriculture, and Smart Cities. In the second stage, the program will select and scale 100 startups across India to build with Azure OpenAI, and the top 25 will receive go-to-market support from Microsoft’s Global Network to develop advanced, globally competitive products.
Microsoft and iCreate will also provide AI skilling opportunities to 11,000 innovators, startups, and young Indians from across the country through Microsoft’s Learning Management System. Upon completion, participants will receive globally recognized certifications from Microsoft, significantly enhancing their employability and career progression.
Jean-Philippe Courtois, Executive Vice President and President of National Transformation Partnerships at Microsoft, stated, “India is uniquely positioned to seize the extraordinary AI opportunity. To support this, we need to empower the next generation of innovators to harness AI to solve complex problems and scale positive impact. That’s why we are excited to launch the iMPEL-AI innovation program, which will nurture a dynamic AI ecosystem in India and enable AI innovators and entrepreneurs to help bridge the nation’s AI skill gap and create new possibilities across the country. We are already seeing incredible value from AI innovation in India, from supporting farmers with digital chatbots to transforming economic opportunities for underserved communities through translation tools, and Microsoft is dedicated to being India’s copilot in its AI transformation journey.”
Avinash Punekar, CEO of iCreate, commented, “AI is transforming how we engage with products and services globally. India has the world’s largest tech talent pool, and we believe that our leadership in AI can position India as a key stakeholder in every domain. iCreate has been a leader in pioneering new initiatives that fuel innovation and unlock the true potential of startups. Through our partnership with Microsoft, our common vision is to leverage India’s tech strength and put India on a pedestal for driving global innovations in AI. The iMPEL-AI program is carefully designed to foster AI innovation and product development with access to both mentorship and technology infrastructure needed by Indian innovators to build globally successful AI ventures.”