IIT Kanpur emerging as hub for novel educational toys

Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, has partnered with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, to facilitate the MSME design scheme and promote the creation of toy clusters. 

Recently, five enterprises from FIRST IIT Kanpur have received PMAC (Project Monitoring and Advisory Committee) approval and a grant from MSME Development Institute for prototype development of sustainable educational toys. These enterprises are expected to deliver a prototype with this grant money. Among those who have received the grant Kanpur Flower Recycling Private Limited (KFPL) (https://phool.co/) – FIRST's graduated company. Phool has developed a prototype to replace the regular leather (made from animal skin) with leather made of flower waste, named Fleather. The prototype is environmentally sustainable, free from chemicals, and does not induce animal cruelty.  

MSME design scheme 

The design scheme by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, is a unique scheme that provides grants to the final year undergraduate and postgraduate students engaged in design development and MSMEs working in the design domain. The grant range for the students is up to Rs 1.5 lakh, while it ranges between Rs 15 and Rs 40 lakh for the MSMEs. These funds are channelled towards prototype development for one year. Ankit Saxena, senior manager (projects) at FIRST IIT Kanpur, supervises the design scheme, currently accepting proposals. 

Praising the developed prototype VK Verma, Join Director, MSME Development Institute, Kanpur, said, “Fleather will positively impact the leather industry through its animal-free and environment-friendly characteristics. Such eco-friendly innovations are the need of the hour.”  

The design programme is a positive step towards nurturing favourable educational outcomes through engaging interventions and supporting innovative ideas for toys and games. Prof Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Prof-In-Charge, Incubation & Innovation, IIT Kanpur, said, “The design programme is a step towards revolutionising education in India. We look forward to supporting such initiatives that develop a learner’s critical thinking, decision-making and allied skills and encourages learning.” 

The grant has been awarded to five startups - Bio craft Innovation, Center of Digital Excellence, Mindbrics Edutech, Primary Healthtech, and Culttech Wave. 

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