New Delhi: The fourth edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum, organised in New Delhi on March 19, focused on building partnerships among SCO Member States to further strengthen the startup ecosystem in the region.
The forum witnessed the participation of high-level officials from government, industry, and academia. The event, aimed at promoting innovation, creating job opportunities, and inspiring young talent, brought together over 15 SCO startups showcasing their products and services at a showcase window.
The forum also provided an opportunity for the participants to attend a workshop on ‘Establishing a Seed Fund: A Strategic Approach to Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship’. The workshop, led by Startup India, provided an interactive session on various models of setting up seed funds to support early-stage startups. The participants were also given insights into the strategic planning and execution involved in setting up a seed fund.
The creation of a Special Working Group for Startups and Innovation (SWG) at the Summit of SCO Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in September 2022, was a key step in the development of the SCO Startup Forum. The SWG, with the vision of promoting collaboration among SCO Member States and accelerating regional economic development, is permanently chaired by India.