The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, in collaboration with the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, organised a workshop titled “From Innovation to Impact: BIS Standards Serving the Startups” at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur).

The inaugural session was graced by the presence of Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research and Development, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor, Department of Management Sciences and Professor-in-Charge of SIIC, IIT Kanpur; Smt. Reena Garg, Deputy Director General (Standardization-I), BIS; Prof. M. Jaleel Akhtar, BIS Standardization Chair Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur; and Shri Sudheer Bishnoi, Head, Lucknow Branch Office, BIS. Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, BIS, joined the session virtually and extended his best wishes for the success of the initiative.

The workshop brought together deep-tech innovators, early-stage and growth-stage startups, and the BIS leadership for a high-impact dialogue on the critical role of standards in shaping India’s innovation journey. It aimed to highlight how Indian Standards can accelerate commercialization, enhance quality assurance, and support global market access for startups.

Startups participating in the event engaged directly with senior BIS officials and explored standardisation frameworks across diverse sectors—including electronics, IT, healthcare, agritech, AI-ML, defense & aerospace, and cleantech. The sessions offered actionable insights on managing post-launch quality, meeting Quality Control Orders (QCOs), and addressing sustainability and regulatory challenges.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Reena Garg, Deputy Director General (Standardization-I), BIS, said, “BIS plays a vital role in developing national standards, with over 400 technical committees and 25,000+ standards across 17 sectors. Standards are essential across all sectors, and BIS supports the Government of India and startups in using them as tools for impactful growth.”

Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research & Development at IIT Kanpur, warmly welcomed all dignitaries and encouraged startups to ask questions and actively engage for a meaningful and fruitful interaction. Speaking on the collaboration with BIS, he said, “Our partnership with startups is about co-creating pathways where innovation and quality go hand in hand. BIS is helping make standards a springboard rather than a speed bump, empowering the innovation ecosystem. We have always emphasized the need for innovative, high-quality, market-ready products that can thrive both nationally and on the global stage.”

Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor-in-Charge, SIIC IIT Kanpur, said, “At SIIC, we aim to bridge innovation with implementation, turning ideas into scalable, market-ready products. BIS’s presence on our campus allows startups to view standards not as constraints but as enablers and launchpads. SIIC is proud to be one of only four incubation centres in the country recognized at this level—an achievement we value deeply.”

The knowledge-sharing session provided an overview of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), highlighting its key functions such as standard formulation, product certification, hallmarking, and system certification. The session emphasized BIS’s international presence, laboratory testing, consumer protection, and the importance of standards education.

The workshop also encouraged startups to contribute to the evolution of Indian Standards by identifying emerging needs and sectoral trends. BIS reiterated its commitment to co-developing future-ready, inclusive standards by actively engaging with India’s entrepreneurial community.

With open registration and no participation fee, the workshop reaffirmed BIS’s inclusive approach to supporting high-potential startups, particularly in strategic technology sectors. The initiative marks a step forward in ensuring that Indian innovations are not only globally competitive but also help set new benchmarks in quality and performance.

About BIS

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India, responsible for the harmonious development of standardisation, marking, and quality certification. BIS actively supports innovation, ensures consumer safety, and promotes industry best practices across sectors through the development of Indian Standards.

About Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur

The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur is one of India’s oldest and most active technology business incubators. SIIC supports innovation-driven startups in diverse sectors, including aerospace, healthcare, energy, and deep tech. With a robust infrastructure, strong mentorship ecosystem, and strategic government and industry partnerships, SIIC enables startups to move from lab-scale prototypes to market-ready solutions. SIIC plays a pivotal role in advancing India’s innovation landscape and fostering entrepreneurship aligned with national goals such as self-reliance and technology leadership through its programs, funding access, and institutional support.

About IIT Kanpur:

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, is recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has significantly contributed to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts various academic and research resources. The institute comprises 19 departments, 26 centres, three interdisciplinary programs, and three specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur fosters innovation and academic rigor.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.