Mumbai hosted the third incorporation day of the CivicTech Business Incubator “SMILE” run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), named SMILE Innovation Summit. The event featured startup success stories, experience sharing by BMC departments, and panel discussions.
On the occasion, Ketan Mohitkar, Member Secretary of the Indian Council for Technical Research and Development, acknowledged the scope of the collaboration between SMILE and ICTRD. He emphasized ICTRD’s vision and mission, saying, “ICTRD serves as a link between innovators, government organizations, corporations, academicians, and students.” He went on to say that the collaboration between SMILE and ICTRD will help SMILE achieve its ultimate goal of improving Mumbai’s welfare through social and economic growth. He praised BMC officials for their efforts in making SMILE a strong incubation facility in Mumbai. According to Ketan Mohitkar, programs like the Nagpur Startup Fest would benefit India’s startup community. He wants these initiatives to get off the ground in Maharashtra before eventually spreading throughout the entire country.
At this event, Ashwini Bhide (Additional Municipal Commissioner), P. Velrasu (Additional Commissioner), Shashi Bala (Business Development Officer of BMC), Dr. Satish Revatkar from BMC, Dr. Uday Salunkhe (Group Director of the Welingkar Institute), Prof. Santosh Gharpur ( Professor in Charge at SINE), Prasad Pradhan (Group Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited), Sandeep Khosla (Director General of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and Pyoni Bhatt (CEO of SINE) were among the notable dignitaries present.