The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur has decided to aid the small and medium businesses that are facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has developed a business resource platform named Technopark@iitk which would enable the MSMEs to take up IIT's research and development strengths to counter the pandemic challenges. 

The institute has created Technopark@iitk with an 'Affiliate Membership Model' that would provide a gateway to the struggling MSMEs to enhance their product quality. Further, to help them in improving their skill and technology.

Reema Mittal, COO, Technopark@iitk states "The research park plans to increase its reach in the coming months. It is already in interactions with TiE-UP and IIA and would like to reach out to various government ministries and departments including MSME Ministry to push this model for wider adoption."

Technopark@iitk brings in access to state-of-art research infrastructure and intellectual resources. Also, it provides the opportunity to work with IIT Kanpur students and to participate in Special Interest Group (SIG) meet and industry events organized by the platform. These measures would increase the brand's visibility, license, and commercialize IIT Kanpur IPs. Alongside this, the affiliated members could also utilize the office desk for 30 days in a year at Technopark@iitk for built closer interaction with the IIT Kanpur. 

Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Professor In-charge, Technopark@iitk says, “We have long been contemplating reaching out to MSMEs since the very day we had our first outreach event on April 6, 2019. The event saw huge participation from MSMEs based in Kanpur. During the discussions, we realized that MSMEs are keen to seek expertise from IITK but setting up an R&D base in Technopark may not be a financially feasible option for them. And Technopark too would like to reach out to a large base of MSMEs and not restrict itself to a few numbers.” 

Kanpur houses a huge MSME base and these businesses serve as the engines that drive growth for the regional economy. Thus, IIT Kanpur has determined to assist the MSMEs and enhance their competitiveness in the changed economic scenario.

Kunal Kasera, Founder, TruFarm Co. (re-engineering food systems startup) is among the first to join the Technopark@iitk bandwagon. He says, “Our partnership with IITK Technopark has brought immense strength to our Engineering and R&D Departments. Being from a commerce background I had initially struggled to understand how technical aspects of machinery works. Now, I have a reliable partner with whom I cannot only clear my own doubts regarding engineering and machinery but also propel various R&D activities to create proprietary TECHNOLOGY which otherwise would have been impossible or highly capital intensive,”