Event Date: 18–19 July 2025
Event brief description –
The Incubator Managers Training (IMT) was held on 18–19 July 2025 at AKTU, Lucknow, with 50+ incubation professionals from across Uttar Pradesh. Organized by Nexus Startup Hub @ The American Center, UConn Global, and StartinUP, the program was inaugurated by Shri Anurag Yadav, IAS, Principal Secretary, IT & Electronics, GoUP, Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, and led by international trainer Mr. Glenn Robinson. Key speakers included Dr. Divya Rajput, Country Director, UConn Global; Mr. Gaurav Dwivedi, Nodal Officer, StartinUP; Dr. Arvind Kumar Mishra, Director, AKTU Innovation Hub and Mr. Mahip Singh, Head of Innovation Hub UP. Sessions focused on startup support, incubation processes, stakeholder engagement, and global best practices.
The training brought together over 50 incubation professionals from various incubators across Uttar Pradesh. The objective was to build capacity among incubator managers and align them with global incubation practices, ecosystem collaboration, and startup-centric service models.
Event Detailed Description-
The Incubator Managers Training (IMT) Program held on July 18–19, 2025, at AKTU, Lucknow, was a capacity-building initiative designed for incubation professionals across Uttar Pradesh. Jointly organized by Nexus Startup Hub @ The American Center, UConn Global, StartinUP (Govt. of Uttar Pradesh), and AKTU Innovation Hub, the program brought together over 50 incubator managers from various academic and private incubators across the state. It aimed at equipping them with the latest tools, strategies, and global best practices to enhance incubation efficiency and startup outcomes.
The program was inaugurated by Shri Anurag Yadav, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Mr. Ravi Ranjan, Managing Director, UPLC Special Secretary, Department of IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh. In his keynote address, he emphasized the state’s vision for strengthening its innovation infrastructure, comprising 72 state-recognized incubators and the scaling of over 14,000 startups. He called for a collaborative and performance-oriented incubation culture that aligns with global standards while addressing regional startup challenges.
The training was led by Mr. Glenn Robinson, an international incubation expert known for his impactful delivery and extensive experience in global startup ecosystems. Key speakers included Dr. Divya Rajput, Country Director of UConn Global; Mr. Gaurav Dwivedi, Nodal Officer at StartinUP; Dr. Arvind Kumar Mishra, Director of AKTU Innovation Hub; and Mr. Mahip Singh, Head of Innovation Hub UP. The sessions provided a structured understanding of both foundational and advanced aspects of incubator management.
Program Structure and Key Learnings:
Day 1 – Foundations of Incubation:
The first day focused on understanding the strategic role of incubators in the innovation economy. Topics covered included:
. Fundamentals of incubation and its role in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
. Lifecycle of technology commercialization.
. Mobilization of know-how networks and stakeholder engagement.
. Aligning vision and mission with incubation objectives.
Day 2 – Operational Framework:
The second day transitioned into hands-on knowledge for managing incubators. It covered:
. Startup selection, tracking, and graduation metrics.
. Design of internal and external incubation processes.
. Implementation of cohort-based incubation methodologies.
. Metrics-driven planning for incubator performance.
. Case study presentation on Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), showcasing a proven international model.
Purpose and Value of Participation:
The participation in this training was in alignment with Galgotias University’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through the Galgotias Incubation Centre for Research Innovation Startup & Entrepreneurs (GICRISE). The training enriched the strategic and operational capabilities, particularly in areas such as cohort design, startup lifecycle management, stakeholder engagement, and performance metrics.
Value Addition to GICRISE:
The knowledge gained will directly contribute to the transformation of GICRISE into a more structured, startup-centric, and scalable incubation platform. Key takeaways include:
. Enhanced strategic planning for incubation operations.
. Improved frameworks for performance measurement and cohort graduation.
. Deeper understanding of startup needs across various growth stages.
. Stronger engagement models with investors, mentors, and service providers.
Department Name – GICRISE
Event Outcome:
The Incubator Managers Training was an enriching and empowering experience that will deeply influence the strategies and operations at GICRISE. It provided clarity, actionable tools, and a strong peer network to collaborate with. I look forward to implementing the learnings and contributing to the strengthening of our regional and national startup ecosystem.