4th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Startup Forum: Catalyzing Innovation and Collaboration

The fourth edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum was organized on 19th March 2024 in New Delhi, India. This initiative aimed to broaden startup interactions among the SCO Member States, foster an environment conducive to innovation, promote job creation, and inspire young talent to develop innovative solutions.

Plenary Session and Participation

The plenary session of the forum witnessed physical participation from SCO Member States, including a delegation of SCO startups, nodal agencies for startups at the Member States, senior government officials, and diplomats. Key highlights of the plenary session included:

• Keynote address by Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, highlighting the role of the startup ecosystem in boosting a nation's economy.
• Address by Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv, on India's startup journey and initiatives for promoting startups by the Government of India.

India's Leadership and Initiatives

DPIIT has organized various initiatives for the startup ecosystems of SCO Member States, aiming to empower local startup communities, provide value through mentoring, and enable access to investor and corporate engagement activities. By leading such engagements, India undertook an opportunity to expand the innovation footprint, knitting the whole ecosystem together and inspiring other SCO Member States to take up similar programs.

Some of the previous initiatives organized by Startup India for SCO Member States include:

• SCO Startup Forum 1.0 (2020): Laid the foundation for multilateral cooperation and engagement for startups among the SCO Member States.
• SCO Startup Forum 2.0 (2021): A two-day virtual forum through a customized platform representing Indian culture in augmented reality. The SCO Startup Hub, a single point of contact for the SCO startup ecosystem, was launched.
• Focused Mentorship Program (2022): A 3-month long virtual mentorship series 'Starting-Up' for nominated startups, providing over 100 hours of mentorship to build capacity among SCO Startup founders.
• SCO Startup Forum 3.0 (2023): The first-ever physical SCO Startup Forum for the SCO Member States, including a workshop on 'Role of Bilateral and Multilateral Engagement in developing the startup ecosystem' and an incubator visit at IIT Delhi.
• 1st Meeting of the SWG (2023): The first Meeting of the SCO Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation (SWG), chaired by India, with the theme 'Growing from Roots'. Representatives from the 9 SCO Member States presented their respective startup ecosystems and prospective areas of collaboration.

SCO Startup Showcase and Networking Opportunities

The forum provided a platform for over 15 SCO startups to showcase their products and services at the SCO Pavilion. This showcase facilitated networking opportunities designed to inspire, educate, and empower these entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among the participants.

Workshop on Establishing a Seed Fund

Participants also attended a workshop conducted by Startup India on 'Establishing a Seed Fund: A Strategic Approach to Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship'. The workshop included an interactive session to understand various models of setting up seed funds to support early-stage startups. It provided participants with comprehensive insights into the strategic planning and execution involved in establishing a seed fund, equipping them with valuable knowledge to nurture and support entrepreneurship in their respective countries.

Special Working Group for Startups and Innovation (SWG)

During the Summit of SCO Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 16th September 2022, all Member States agreed to create a Special Working Group for Startups and Innovation (SWG). Given the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving and diversifying economies, India had proposed this initiative in 2020 to create a new pillar of cooperation between the SCO Member States.

The SWG was created with the vision of fostering collaboration among SCO Member States, not only to benefit the startup ecosystem but also to accelerate regional economic development. In 2023, after multiple rounds of meetings chaired by DPIIT, the Member States approved and adopted the Regulations of the SWG, with India permanently chairing it in the SCO.

Future Initiatives

Moving forward, India will host the second meeting of the SWG in November 2024 and the 5th edition of the SCO Startup Forum in January 2025. These initiatives will further strengthen the cooperation and collaboration among the SCO Member States, fostering an environment conducive to innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

Through its leadership and initiatives, India has become a driving force in promoting startup ecosystems and facilitating multilateral cooperation within the SCO framework. By bringing together startups, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region, the SCO Startup Forum serves as a catalyst for innovation, knowledge sharing, and the development of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems.