The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Chennai, in association with Sri Sairam Engineering College and Sri Sairam Techno Incubator Foundation, organised a BIS-StartUps Meet at Sri Sairam Engineering College on 11 August 2025. The day-long programme aimed to foster collaboration between start-ups, academia, and the National Standards Body of India, enabling innovators to integrate standardization and quality practices into their growth journey.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. A. Rajendra Prasad, Dean (Student Affairs), Sri Sairam Engineering College, followed by Smt. G. Bhavani, / Senior Director & & Head, BIS Coimbatore Branch Office, who outlined the programme’s objectives. She emphasised that the BIS-StartUps initiative seeks to “connect the innovation ecosystem with the standards ecosystem, ensuring that start-ups are not only technologically sound but also market-ready and globally competitive.”
Mr. K. Naresh Raj, Director, Sri Sairam Techno Incubator Foundation, shared insights into the start-up landscape nurtured at the institution, highlighting the role of incubation support in shaping entrepreneurial success stories.
Shri. S. D. Dayanand, Scientist-F / Senior Director & Head, BIS Chennai Branch Office, delivered a session on BIS–Industry Collaboration, stressing the immense potential for start-ups to leverage BIS resources, certification schemes, and testing facilities. He noted, “Start-ups that align with standards early in their journey have a distinct edge in market access, credibility, and customer trust. BIS is committed to handholding innovators through this process.”
In his Presidential Address, Dr. Sai Prakash Leo Muthu, Chairman, Sairam Institutions, lauded the BIS initiative, stating that such partnerships between regulatory bodies and academic institutions are key to bridging knowledge gaps and equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools to meet global quality expectations.
The Inaugural Address was delivered by Dr. Meenakshi Ganesan, Scientist-G & Deputy Director General (South), BIS, who highlighted the Bureau’s efforts in aligning national standards with global benchmarks and promoting sustainability through a circular economy approach. She said, “Standardization and Management Systems Certification from BIS can empower MSMEs and start-ups alike by improving product quality, enhancing competitiveness, and opening doors to export markets. In an era of resource constraints, embracing sustainability and resource efficiency is not an option but a necessity for long-term success.”
Shri Chandan Kumar, Scientist-D, SCMD, BIS, presented an overview of BIS, detailing its key activities in Standards Formulation, Conformity Assessment, and laboratory services. Smt. Neha Yadav, Scientist-E, SCMD, BIS, spoke on the importance of BIS–Start-ups Collaboration highlighting the opportunities and way forward for startups on engagement with BIS, especially in standardization. Shri Gaurav Jayaswal, Scientist-C, TED, BIS, demonstrated BIS’s Digital Platform and Academic Dashboard and Smt. Jyoti Kushwaha, Scientist D shared insights on standards available in the electronics sector.
The Post-Lunch Technical Session, led by Dr. Meenakshi Ganesan, featured an interactive engagement with start-ups, where participants discussed their innovations, challenges, and possibilities of integrating standards into product development. This was followed by a networking session, enabling direct connect between start-ups and BIS officials.
BIS-Start-Ups Meet at Sri Sairam Engineering College successfully reinforced the message that innovation and standardization go hand in hand. By engaging young entrepreneurs, BIS continues to drive its mission of creating a quality-first entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports India’s vision for sustainable growth, global competitiveness, and industry leadership.