New Blockchain Excellence Centre at IIM Lucknow

The establishment of a Center of Excellence in Blockchain Technology (CoE-BT) was announced today by the Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIML-EIC) of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. The StartInUP Policy of the Uttar Pradesh government is supporting this project.

The official announcement notes that this noteworthy development intends to stimulate creativity and entrepreneurship throughout the state of Uttar Pradesh by creating and nurturing 100 firms in the blockchain space over the next five years.

The CoE-BT will serve as a technology enabler, offering stakeholders access to shared learning experiences, resources, and a dedicated blockchain platform. The enterprise incubation centre (EIC) at IIM Lucknow will oversee the training and onboarding of startups. It will offer all-encompassing support, including VC funding, industry connections, mentorship from over fifty industry and academic experts, and specialised training programmes for students and aspiring entrepreneurs across various sectors with Blockchain-based applications.

IIM Lucknow will open three outreach centers in Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with Microsoft India to support and foster blockchain-based innovation. The suggested areas for these centers are Greater Noida/Meerut, Lucknow, and Gorakhpur.

As per an official release from IIM Lucknow, the Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology will function as a distinct establishment in the state, functioning as a Technology Development Center and Resource, with the aim of augmenting the state's technological proficiencies and cultivating a flourishing blockchain innovation ecosystem.

As the field of blockchain technology develops quickly, the partnership with Microsoft under CoE BT will help new technologies and open up new avenues for innovation to stay ahead of the curve. Professor Ashish Dubey, Faculty-in-Charge of IIML-EIC, stated, "This collaboration will be an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative solutions in blockchain that will have a significant impact on technological infrastructure."