AIIA-iCAINE Launches AI Challenge and Strategic Partnerships for Ayurveda
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi marked the sixth anniversary of its incubation centre, AIIA-iCAINE, with a series of impactful initiatives aimed at revolutionising the Ayurveda sector. Key highlights included the unveiling of a national innovation challenge focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Ayurveda, the establishment of two strategic partnerships, the introduction of an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Facility, and a workshop designed to bolster entrepreneurship and design thinking.
During the celebration, Prof. Vd. P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, emphasised the incubation centre’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing collaborations between academia and industry. “In the last six years, AIIA-iCAINE has supported over 52 problem statements and provided mentorship for more than 100 startup ideas,” he noted. Additionally, nine startups have secured seed funding of ₹3 lakh each, enabling their entrepreneurial growth.
Launch of AyushTech Innovate Challenge
A significant highlight of the event was the launch of the AyushTech Innovate: National Open Ayurveda AI Challenge, organised by Techfest at IIT Bombay in partnership with the Ministry of Ayush and AIIA. This initiative aims to spur the creation of reliable, transparent, and safe AI solutions in Ayurveda. Participants will tackle various issues including Ayurvedic clinical practices, retrieval of classical texts, research, treatment planning, and public health awareness. The grand finale is set to take place at IIT Bombay from December 15-18, 2026.
Strategic Partnerships and IPR Facility
AIIA-iCAINE also signed two pivotal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance research and innovation within Ayurveda. The first MoU, in collaboration with the World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF), will set up the “AI in Ay – Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence in Ayurveda.” This platform intends to drive AI-driven research and entrepreneurship, supported by joint research initiatives, capacity-building programs, and startup incubation.
The second MoU with Reliance Retail Limited (Pahadi Local) aims to convert traditional Ayurvedic knowledge into marketable skincare products. Reliance Retail will oversee the complete product development process, including testing, manufacturing, and marketing, thereby strengthening the cooperation between academia and industry.
Capacity-Building Workshops and Resources
An IPR Facility for Ayurveda was also launched to raise awareness about intellectual property rights among Ayurveda innovators. This facility will assist entrepreneurs in understanding the critical need to protect their intellectual creations as they progress towards developing market-ready products.
The event featured a comprehensive workshop on branding, pricing strategies, and design thinking tailored for Ayurveda ventures. Sessions led by experts, including a branding masterclass by Ms. Jessica from Reliance Retail and a pricing strategy workshop by Sujith Eranezhath, CEO of AIIA-iCAINE, provided valuable insights into market needs and effective solution development.
The celebration encompassed additional highlights such as a briefing on the Smart India Hackathon, the introduction of the Techfest Hackathon, the release of “Ayupreneur: A Beginner’s Glossary,” and the awarding of grants to winners of the SIH 2025.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Arun Kumar Mahaptra, Head of Incubation, followed by an address from Prof. (Dr.) Sreenivasa Prasad Buduru as the chief guest. The event wrapped up with a vote of thanks from Sujith Eranezhath, fostering opportunities for networking among participants.
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