PM-Devine project to establish digital design and third printing center of excellence in north eastern region
Delhi, India – August 2, 2024 : TiE Delhi-NCR, an organisation fostering entrepreneurship nationally since the past 2 decades, recently partnered with AMTRON to run a 3D Printing Ideation Competition under the PM-DevINE Project – 3D Printing Center of Excellence that is supported by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Government of India to promote Industry 4.0 Enterprises in NER. The project is aimed at advancing Industry 4.0 technologies in the North Eastern Region (NER). The Digital Design and 3D Printing Center of Excellence, part of the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), will be established within the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) in Tech City, Guwahati.
Transforming the Future of Industry
Industry 4.0 represents a transformative leap in digital industrialization, playing a crucial role both nationally and globally. Early adopters of these technologies are poised to reap significant economic benefits while contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030, including good health, gender parity, innovation, and responsible consumption. Industries not embracing these advancements risk falling behind in global competitiveness.
The North Eastern Region, having missed out on the growth spurred by Industry 3.0, now stands at a pivotal moment. Industry 4.0 offers a unique opportunity for socio-economic transformation in the region, with potential to create new economic centers and drive regional development.
Leading the Charge
AMTRON, a public sector undertaking of the Assam Government, is at the forefront of deploying Industry 4.0 technologies in NER and is fully supported by the North Eastern Council and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India in this initiative. The organization is currently implementing several flagship projects, including the 5G Training Labs and Use Case Development, funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and MDoNER. Launched in September 2023, these initiatives are laying the groundwork for the region’s technological advancement.
Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship
In line with its commitment to nurturing innovation, AMTRON organized nine Ideation Hackathon Events across all eight states of NER from June 7th to July 11th, 2024. Supported by the TiE Delhi-NCR chapter, these events engaged innovators, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts, who pitched their ideas for addressing SDG 2030 gaps in the region.
A total of 27 teams, three from each event, have been selected to participate in the Grand Finale scheduled for August 27th-28th, 2024, in Guwahati. Each team received a cash prize of ₹11,000 and will benefit from mentorship provided by industry experts, TiE Chapters, DIC, Panjab University and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to help realize their entrepreneurial visions.
Prizes and Opportunities
The Grand Finale will see five outstanding teams awarded a combined prize of ₹50 lakh, along with 3D printing equipment and comprehensive advisory services, including legal, financial, and go-to-market support. These teams will also gain access to early-stage angel investment funds to further their ventures.
Support and Vision
This initiative has received robust support from AMTRON, the North Eastern Council and MDoNER. The overarching vision is to position NER as a leading driver in India’s march towards the Viksit Bharat Mission (India @ 2047) by deploying cutting-edge Industry 4.0 solutions.
Geetika Dayal, Director General, TiE Delhi-NCR, praised the program’s design and execution, highlighting its effectiveness in attracting, mentoring, and preparing early-stage entrepreneurs. She shared “Recently, the TiE Delhi-NCR team journeyed across North East India for the Ideation Hackathon, an exhilarating initiative. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Raj Narula, Founder and CEO of InCa Synergies and a Charter Member, for partnering with us to bring this initiative to top universities in the North East. A special thank you to our Charter Members for their outstanding support. We are thrilled to advance entrepreneurship throughout every corner of our country.”
Raj Narula, CEO of InCa Synergies, emphasised the exceptional talent emerging from the region and its potential for long-term economic impact. Raj is an international consultant who has spent a lot of time in the region and believes that the number of bright minds that have come forward are exceptional and will deliver exponential returns to the North East Region for years to come with their breakthrough ideas and innovation leveraging the 3D printing ecosystem. These are exciting times for the women and youth of the region to grow.
