Gujarat: From rockets to retirees, EDII summit shows range of startups

Ahmedabad: The three-day startup summit Empresario at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) attracted startups ranging from makers of rockets to those providing re-engagement opportunities for retirees.The summit attracted a large number of startups from Gujarat and elsewhere, as it was inaugurated on Friday by state science and technology minister Arjun Modhwadia. This year's theme for the summit is ‘NextGen Youth Innovators'.Modhwadia, in his speech, termed the state a hub for entrepreneurship and said that a vibrant startup ecosystem can contribute to the progress of both the state and the nation. Dr Sunil Shukla, director general of EDII, said that the youth must step forward and tap the opportunities created by the ecosystem.While one startup exhibited an automated toilet seat cleaning device, another exhibited an infrared-based non-invasive scanning device for the detection of breast cancer. A startup from the state focused on providing AI and IoT-based drone services for agriculture, whereas another provided a plant-based sweetener that does not cause a spike in blood glucose levels.The event saw participation from various incubators, state and central govt agencies associated with innovations and startups, industry bodies, and startup founders.