BPCL and IIMK LIVE collaborate to boost clean energy and deep tech start-ups

Mumbai/Kozhikode, December 11, 2023: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 Company, and IIMK LIVE, the incubation center of the Indian Institute Of Management, Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode), have partnered to support start-ups in the clean energy and deep tech sectors under BPCL's 'Project Ankur' initiative.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Prof. Ashutosh Sarkar, Executive Director of IIMK LIVE, and Shri Sameet Pai, Head of Corporate Strategy, BPCL, solidifies a partnership aiming to cultivate and support innovative ideas with the potential to grow into successful start-ups. IIMK LIVE will act as one of the implementation partners, providing incubation, mentorship, and training to selected start-ups.

BPCL's Start-Up Scheme "Project Ankur" aims to foster entrepreneurship by supporting innovative ideas that can evolve into successful start-ups. The collaboration with IIMK LIVE aims to provide essential incubation, mentorship, and training, enhancing the success potential of selected start-ups.

“At BPCL, we uphold the core values of 'Innovation' and 'Customer Centricity and aspire to be future ready, bringing disruption in the energy sector to propel the industry towards a more sustainable future. Start-ups offer cutting-edge technology, novel perspectives, agile mind-sets, and foster an entrepreneurial culture. Therefore, this collaboration with IIMK LIVE aims to identify and form partnerships, nurturing high quality and potential start-ups,” stated Shri Sameet Pai, Head (Corporate Strategy), BPCL.

 Speaking on the tie-up Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director IIM Kozhikode and Chairman IIMK LIVE added “India’s biggest contribution to the world has been knowledge, and the country has a lot to offer when it comes to innovations and initiatives.  Sustainability is another critical aspect where we as an Institute are trying our best to develop a supportive ecosystem. This tie-up between IIMK LIVE and BPCL will be a boost to clean energy and deep tech bases start-ups and help contribute towards sustainable future.”

Under 'Project Ankur,' BPCL has already funded over 30 impactful start-ups, including companies like M/s Genrobotics, M/s Detect Technologies, M/s Anthill Creations, M/s Cygenica, and M/s EyeROV, showcasing the transformative power of innovation supported by dedicated backing.