Centers of Excellence

1. Background and Rationale

The Centre of Excellence in Entrepreneurship Development, Innovation and Incubation (COE – EII) at Jaipur National University, Jaipur has emerged as a pivotal institutional platform for nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven problem solving among students. It has since been recognized by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, as a Host Institute (HI).

2. Purpose and Scope of the Centre

COE – EII has significantly strengthened the innovation ecosystem of the University by facilitating idea generation, incubation support, industry collaboration, and student capacity building. It has consistently expanded its scope and outreach through structured programs and flagship events.

3. Key Activities and Beneficiaries (mainly Students and Researchers) of the COE - EII

Major milestones of the Centre include the organization of Idea Hackathon 4.0 and the annual “Shark Tank” idea pitching platform, both conducted under MSME support, and the successful organization of Women Hackathon initiatives aimed at encouraging women entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation. Intra university competitions were organized for Women Hackathon 3.0 on 31 August 2023 and Idea Hackathon 4.0 on 23 October 2024, and Hackathon 5.0 on 3 September 2025 reflecting systematic governance and program execution. Ms Rajshree Jadaun, a student of M. Sc. (Microbiology) got 23.5 Lakh funding from MSME Hachathon 4.0. The Centre has also achieved notable success in collaboration and recognition. Partnerships with Atal Community Innovation Center (ACIC), Chandigarh have resulted in four awards and two patents, demonstrating its contribution to applied research and intellectual property generation. Additionally, collaborations with the University of Rajasthan and participation in the DBT Government of India’s Science Setu Program have expanded interdisciplinary engagement and provided students with exposure to national innovation networks.

COE – EII regularly organizes invited talks and expert interactions in collaboration with Entrepreneurship & Career Hub (ECH), University of Rajasthan to cultivate an innovation-driven mindset. Distinguished experts from the Rajasthan State Department of Science and Technology (DST) visited the incubation cell to guide students on idea development, validation, and commercialization pathways. Global interfaces and industry-academic dialogues further strengthened students’ understanding of market readiness and entrepreneurial sustainability. The COE – EII also has increasing its dimensions with Incubation Cell of Bundelkhand University, Jhansi by organizing various events in collaboration. Recently the COE – EII has connected itself with “We Incubate Chandigarh”, “Savishkar Foundation, Bengaluru” and “Yathartha Laboratories (specialized in Drone Technology) Pvt Ltd. Jaipur.

Student engagement remains central to the Centre’s mission. Platforms such as “Ideas in Motion: Student Video Showcase” and the annual Shark Tank competition provide opportunities for students to present solutions addressing real-world challenges. Several students have also received recognition at national forums including ICAR–ISWC, Dehradun, and the Biotechnology Council, Uttarakhand, highlighting the competitive quality of projects incubated under the cell. The outcomes of COE – EII extend beyond events to tangible innovation outputs. The incubation cell has facilitated patents, product development, and research-based entrepreneurial initiatives, including showcased projects such as the “Rughji Farm Plant” concept. Select success stories demonstrate how early-stage ideas evolved into scalable models through structured mentoring and institutional support.