Incubation, rewired

ATAL INCUBATION CENTRES BECOME SECTOR-SPECIFIC TO PROVIDE TARGETED SUPPORT

- SUDHIR CHOWDHARY

WHEN BANASTHALI VIDYAPITH, near Jaipur, spun off Greenathon Technologies, the idea was simple: turn academic research into realworld impact.

Incubated at the local Atal Incubation Centre (AIC), the startup has developed Biozyme - a patented, microbial-based green technology that helps textile units treat wastewater, cut pollution and recycle water.

Another example is Ecoil, a woman-led venture that has built a nationwide supply chain to collect used cooking oil from food businesses and convert it into biodiesel. The fuel is sold to aviation companies, creating a closed-loop sustainability model. Supported by AIC funding, Ecoil has raised over ₹25 crore so far.

These startups are part of a wider incubation push. There are about 72 AICs operational across India under the Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog, together supporting more than 3,500 startups and generating thousands of jobs across manufacturing, energy, healthcare, agriculture, education and deep science.

Yet the ecosystem is uneven. Several incubators struggle with limited infrastructure, lack of advanced prototyping facilities and a shortage of seasoned mentors who can help startups scale beyond the early stage.