RISE Foundation IISER Kolkata and DHITM Join Hands to Strengthen Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in North Bengal
Kolkata/Darjeeling, June 24, 2026: In a significant step towards promoting innovation, scientific thinking, and entrepreneurship among young people in North Bengal, the RISE Foundation IISER Kolkata and the Darjeeling Hill Institute of Technology and Management (DHITM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering a vibrant startup and innovation ecosystem across the region.
The two-year partnership seeks to create new opportunities for students, educators, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly within the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) area. Through a series of collaborative initiatives, the institutions aim to encourage innovation-driven learning and entrepreneurial development among the youth of North Bengal.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will jointly organize innovation awareness programmes, entrepreneurship bootcamps, faculty development workshops, innovation challenges, hackathons, startup mentoring sessions, and ecosystem-building activities designed to nurture creativity and problem-solving skills.
As part of the collaboration, the RISE Foundation IISER Kolkata, the Technology Business Incubator of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, will provide technical expertise, mentorship support, and guidance on startup development, innovation management, and technology commercialization. DHITM will facilitate regional outreach and engagement with educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and local communities.
Speaking on the occasion, Ayan Banerjee, Director of RISE Foundation IISER, said the partnership would help cultivate the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs by providing greater exposure to innovation ecosystems, emerging technologies, and startup opportunities.
Amiya Ranjan Badajena, Chairman of DHITM, emphasized that the collaboration would play a vital role in empowering the youth of the Darjeeling hills and adjoining regions by improving access to innovation resources, entrepreneurial training, and mentorship opportunities.
The MoU also establishes a framework for jointly exploring support from government departments, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, funding agencies, and other organizations to further strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape in North Bengal.
The partnership is expected to contribute significantly to the region’s emerging startup ecosystem while encouraging young innovators to transform ideas into sustainable enterprises and employment-generating ventures.
Source: RISE Foundation IISER Kolkata & DHITM
