Davos: During the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos, Madhya Pradesh’s Principal Secretary for Industrial Policy & Investment Promotion, Raghvendra Kumar Singh, held a detailed discussion with Dr. Jasmine Hume, CEO and Founder of Shiru, a leading company in AI-based protein innovation, to explore potential collaborations that could strengthen the state’s agricultural and research ecosystem.
Focus on AI-Driven Protein Innovation
The discussions highlighted Shiru’s AI-powered protein discovery and design platform, which enables the development of high-quality, ready-to-use protein ingredients for diverse industries. Shiru’s portfolio includes approximately 77% natural proteins, and the company possesses strong capabilities in technology licensing and scalable, capital-efficient production models suitable for global expansion.
Dr. Hume emphasized the applications of these innovations in the food sector, while also highlighting their potential uses in cosmetics and healthcare. The conversation extended to Shiru’s global business network and partnership-based model, covering key markets including the European Union, Canada, Latin America, Asia (including Thailand), and India.
Interest in Madhya Pradesh’s Agricultural Ecosystem
During the meeting, Shiru’s CEO expressed a keen interest in Madhya Pradesh’s robust agricultural system. Both parties discussed potential collaboration with universities and agricultural research institutions in the state to explore:
- Crop-based protein inputs for Shiru’s innovation platform
- Opportunities for applied research and pilot projects
- Development of Madhya Pradesh as a future production hub for protein-based technologies
Roadmap for Collaboration
A structured action plan was agreed upon to advance the partnership:
- Identify suitable universities and research institutions in Madhya Pradesh
- Conduct a detailed assessment of crop availability and suitability for protein inputs
- Explore pilot projects and contract manufacturing opportunities
- Plan commercial and research collaborations through upcoming meetings
This initiative reflects Madhya Pradesh’s continued efforts to attract innovation-driven investments and strengthen the state’s role in the agri-food and life sciences sector.
Strengthening the State’s Innovation Ecosystem
By engaging with global leaders like Shiru, Madhya Pradesh aims to combine cutting-edge technology with local agricultural resources, creating opportunities for research, commercial production, and knowledge transfer. The collaboration aligns with the state’s vision to promote sustainable growth, high-value agriculture, and advanced life sciences innovation.
The discussions at WEF 2026 underscore Madhya Pradesh’s strategy of leveraging technology, research, and global partnerships to make the state a hub for next-generation agri-food and biotech innovations.
