Ahmedabad: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated several key initiatives at Gujarat University, including the newly built Research Park, the launch of the 5th edition of herSTART, and the naming of the Gujarat University Convention Centre as Vidyagauri Nilkanth Sabhapuram.
During the event, the Chief Minister reiterated that India is moving forward with the vision of “Women-Led Development” given by Narendra Modi. He emphasized that Gujarat is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs through innovation, startups, and advanced technologies.
Convention Centre Named After Vidyagauri Nilkanth
The Gujarat University Convention Centre has been officially named Vidyagauri Nilkanth Sabhapuram in honor of Vidyagauri Nilkanth.
The Chief Minister praised the university for recognizing the legacy of Vidyagauri Nilkanth, who made history as the first woman graduate from Gujarat, inspiring generations of women to pursue higher education and leadership roles.
Research Park to Boost Innovation and Technology
CM Bhupendra Patel also inaugurated the Research Park at Gujarat University, which aims to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and startups.
The facility will help students, researchers, and entrepreneurs work together on technology innovation, research commercialization, and startup development, further strengthening Gujarat’s innovation ecosystem.
Launch of 5th Edition of herSTART Programme
The Chief Minister launched the fifth edition of herSTART, an initiative run by the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council.
The programme supports women-led startups by offering:
- Incubation support
- Mentorship and training
- Market access opportunities
The initiative aims to connect women entrepreneurs with emerging technologies and encourage them to build successful startups in Gujarat.
Startup India Has Become a Revolution: CM
The Chief Minister credited the Startup India initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming the startup ecosystem.
According to him, India had fewer than 500 startups a decade ago, while today the number has grown to around 2 lakh startups, with nearly half led by women entrepreneurs.
He also noted that India has emerged as a leading country in funding women-led startups, reflecting the growing role of women in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Semiconductor Sector Creating Opportunities for Women
The Chief Minister highlighted the emerging opportunities in the semiconductor sector. He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated a semiconductor plant in Sanand, and both Sanand and Dholera are set to become major semiconductor hubs.
These developments are expected to generate high-tech employment opportunities for youth, including women.
Through herSTART, women entrepreneurs will also receive support to start ventures in areas such as:
- Semiconductor startups
- Chip design
- Fabrication management
- Semiconductor packaging
- Deep-tech innovation
Technology a Mission for Nation-Building
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized that technology should not be seen merely as a career option but as a mission for nation-building. He encouraged young innovators to launch startups in emerging sectors and contribute to making Gujarat a global hub for startups and women-led deep-tech innovation.
He also noted that the Gujarat Budget has allocated ₹45 crore for the Student Startup and Innovation Policy 2.0, aimed at strengthening the state’s startup ecosystem.
Women-Led Startups Honoured at Event
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released a coffee table book showcasing the achievements of the fourth edition of herSTART and also honoured several successful women-led startups.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including:
- Neerja Gupta
- Piyush Patel
- Dinesh Makwana
- Amit Shah
along with a large number of students and startup entrepreneurs.
