The Atal Incubation Centre – Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (AIC-RMP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MVIRDC World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai to strengthen support for young entrepreneurs and emerging start-ups. This collaboration is aimed at enhancing skill development, promoting innovation, and expanding global market access for early-stage businesses.
Established under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, AIC-RMP has been operational since 2019 and focuses on providing mentorship, training, and industry linkages for new-age entrepreneurs. The MoU with WTC Mumbai marks a key step in advancing these goals by creating joint initiatives such as global trade facilitation, international networking, and specialized entrepreneurship programs.
The partnership focuses on five key areas of collaboration aimed at fostering growth and global exposure for start-ups. The first priority is to identify and support start-ups with the potential to expand internationally. By focusing on scalable businesses, both organizations aim to help these ventures tap into global markets, increasing their reach and impact.
In addition to global expansion, the partnership will involve co-developing programs that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. These initiatives will focus on equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and guidance needed to turn their ideas into successful ventures, fostering an environment of continuous learning and growth.
The third focus of the collaboration is to provide start-ups with access to international business networks and trade opportunities. This will help entrepreneurs connect with global markets, partners, and investors, enabling them to expand their business horizons and enhance their competitiveness on the world stage.
Finally, the partnership will facilitate the organization of workshops, accelerator programs, and training sessions designed to build capacity among young entrepreneurs. Through these initiatives, both parties will help equip start-ups with the tools and knowledge necessary for scaling, while also engaging in joint branding efforts, increasing visibility, and participating in prominent events and speaker forums. This will further strengthen their presence and influence within the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The MoU was signed at the RMP Knowledge Excellence Centre in Uttan, near Mumbai, with representatives from both organizations in attendance, including Aakruti Bagwe, Director – Operations, and Smita Deshmukh, Head, Center of Excellence, from WTC Mumbai; and Uday Wankawala, CEO, AIC-RMP.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr Wankawala said, “This partnership will strengthen India’s start-up ecosystem by aligning innovation with international exposure. Together, we aim to provide growth opportunities and global platforms for promising start-ups in line with the vision of a self-reliant India.” Ms Bagwe added, “We look forward to working with AIC-RMP to empower emerging entrepreneurs by offering access to global networks and practical, industry-oriented support to help them scale.”
Since its inception, AIC-RMP has incubated over 100 start-ups, contributing to the creation of more than 700 jobs. Its work spans sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and technology, with an emphasis on combining business growth with social development. The centre collaborates with over 50 corporate partners, 20 academic institutions, 10 investment organizations, and 75+ mentors.
AIC-RMP’s key initiatives include entrepreneurship foundation programs, guided sessions for founders, boot camps, and structured cohort-based incubation programs such as Aarambh, Parivartan, Vibha, and Fast Track. These initiatives reflect its continued commitment to building a robust and inclusive start-up ecosystem.
