Kolkata | 26 July 2026: Every transformative institution begins with a shared vision, and with the people who believe in that vision long before it becomes reality. Reflecting on the successful launch of AIC Techno, West Bengal’s first and only Atal Incubation Centre, the organisation has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the visionary leaders, mentors, advisors, partners and ecosystem enablers whose unwavering support has laid the foundation for a new era of innovation and entrepreneurship in Bengal.
Established by Techno India University under the aegis of the Techno India Group, with support from the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Government of India, AIC Techno has been created to empower startups by providing access to world-class mentorship, infrastructure, industry collaborations, investor networks and incubation support. The centre aspires to become Bengal’s Innovation Hub, nurturing entrepreneurs who can build, validate, scale and take their ideas to the global stage while remaining rooted in their home state.
The launch marks the culmination of years of vision and collaborative effort, transforming an ambitious idea into a living institution dedicated to strengthening Bengal’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. AIC Techno has expressed its sincere appreciation to Prof. Goutam RoyChowdhury, Prof. Manoshi RoyChowdhury, Anit Adhikari, Sujoy Biswas, Soumitra Bhaumik, and Biswajit Dutta for their trust, guidance and unwavering support in turning this vision into reality.
A pivotal role in shaping AIC Techno has been played by Mr. Meghdut RoyChowdhury, Chief Mentor of AIC Techno and Executive Director & Chief Innovation Officer of Techno India Group. Under his leadership, AIC Techno has been envisioned as a platform that bridges academia, industry and entrepreneurship to create meaningful opportunities for founders across Eastern India. Supporting this mission are Dr. Rohini Sharma, Chief Operating Officer of AIC Techno, whose leadership has been instrumental in establishing the centre’s operational framework, and Pauline Laravoire, Vertical Head – Social Innovation, who is strengthening initiatives that encourage innovation with lasting social impact. The organisation also acknowledged the contributions of Skannd Tyagi, Vertical Head – Emerging Technologies, and Dibya Chatterjee, Vertical Head – Media, Entertainment & Design, for helping shape AIC Techno’s multidisciplinary incubation ecosystem.
AIC Techno also conveyed its sincere gratitude to Shri Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, for his continued encouragement and belief in the initiative. Appreciation was extended to the entire Atal Innovation Mission team, particularly Pramit Dash, Prateek Deshmukh, and Nazia Islam, whose support and presence during the launch reaffirmed AIM’s commitment to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in Eastern India through West Bengal’s first and only Atal Incubation Centre.
The inauguration was further elevated by the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Ashok Lahiri, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog; Dr. Shri Swapan Dasgupta, Minister-in-Charge, Finance Department, Government of West Bengal; and Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur. Their participation underscored the significance of AIC Techno as a landmark initiative for Bengal’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Transforming the vision into a world-class incubation centre was made possible through the efforts of numerous collaborators and partners. AIC Techno recognised Karni Interiors, under the guidance of Shib Roy, for designing and developing the incubation centre within an exceptionally short span of time. The organisation also acknowledged Allcap Communications for crafting AIC Techno’s visual identity, the dedicated housekeeping team at Offbeat CCU for ensuring seamless operational support, and Suchanda Banerjee, whose traditional Alpona artwork welcomed guests while celebrating Bengal’s rich cultural heritage.
The institution further acknowledged the remarkable contributions of Medha Mallick, Shilaz Dutta, Sayan Chakraborty, Rupal Betai, Samriddho Sengupta, Sayan Choudhury, Sheena Bhalla and Dickie Currer-Ganguli, alongside its Executive Board, mentors, advisors, partners and the entire AIC Techno team. Their collective belief in the mission from its earliest stages helped transform an ambitious vision into a thriving innovation ecosystem dedicated to nurturing the next generation of founders.
Looking ahead, AIC Techno has set an ambitious goal of incubating more than 500 startups over the next five years, positioning itself as Bengal’s Innovation Hub by enabling founders to access the mentorship, infrastructure, funding opportunities and strategic networks required to build globally competitive ventures.
Among its flagship initiatives is Back to Bengal, a vision that seeks to reconnect accomplished Bengali entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals from across India and the world with the state’s emerging startup ecosystem. By encouraging mentorship, investment, knowledge sharing and collaboration, the initiative aims to create a powerful bridge between Bengal’s global talent and its next generation of founders.
More than the inauguration of an incubation centre, AIC Techno represents the beginning of a collaborative movement driven by the belief that Bengal possesses the talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to emerge as one of India’s leading innovation destinations. Built by a community rather than a single institution, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and creating sustainable impact through innovation.
As AIC Techno embarks on its journey, the organisation remains committed to building an ecosystem where founders can dream boldly, innovate fearlessly and create solutions that contribute to India’s startup landscape. With visionary leadership, strong institutional support and a growing network of innovators and partners, AIC Techno is poised to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and establish Bengal as a global hub for innovation and enterprise.