Government-run shipyard is funding marine time startups, drawing close attention from DRDO.
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), in collaboration with IIT Madras and IIM Kozhikode, has committed 50 crore rupees to support early-stage startups in the maritime sector. This is achieved through its startups support program called “Udyam Startup Hunar Unnayan Sangam” (USHUS).
As part of the initiative, Cochin Shipyard Limited incubated 16 startups, provided with a total of 6.9 crore rupees. These startups are working on a list of deep-tech solutions in the marine and defence space, like AI-driven port automation, Unmanned underwater vehicles, Rotary stabilisation tech, Driver communication systems and advanced underwater navigation.
Each selected startup, through seed funding, will receive 50 lakhs rupees and up to one crore rupees for pilot projects. This program has generated over 70 high-skilled jobs in the marine technology ecosystem.
Several of these technologies developed under the USHUS program were showcased under the Ushus Sangamam exhibition held the event in Kochi. Some of these innovations from the startups are currently under consideration for integration into DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) projects. This points to the early traction that this initiative is gaining within India’s defence innovation ecosystem.
