Boeing recently unveiled the winners of its third edition of the Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) program for the 2023-24 period. This initiative is designed to empower and guide university students and early-stage startup entrepreneurs across India. Among the distinguished recipients are seven teams hailing from esteemed institutions like FIIT – IIT Delhi, SINE – IIT Mumbai, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, and TBI – KIIT Bhubaneswar.
Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India, emphasised the transformative nature of the BUILD program, stating, “BUILD has evolved into an aspirational and dynamic startup platform, nurturing young entrepreneurial minds of the country with the right skills and support to scale up operations, develop cutting-edge technologies, and help implement ideas that impact not only the nation but the world at large.”
The awards ceremony, held at the new Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru, saw the distinguished presence of figures such as Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda and Dr. G Satheesh Reddy. Gupte applauded the efforts of incubator partners and congratulated both winners and participants, highlighting the active engagement and enthusiasm exhibited throughout the program.
Each winning team was granted Rs 10 lakh to further refine and develop their ideas across diverse sectors including community development, defence, space industry, and sustainability. Boeing collaborated with seven leading incubators across India to orchestrate the BUILD program, fostering innovation hubs at institutions like SINE – IIT Mumbai, FIIT – IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras Incubation Cell.
Ahmed Elsherbini, Vice President of Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center, underscored the program’s inclusive approach, stating, “Every year, as we invite ideas for BUILD, we remain excited about the possibilities these young minds and their ideas bring for the country.” The program attracted over 1200 ideas from more than 2200 students and startup participants nationwide, reflecting a burgeoning interest in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Boeing India’s commitment to skill development and capacity building initiatives is evident through its various engagements such as the HorizonX India Innovation Challenge and the National Aeromodelling Competition with IIT. Gupte reiterated Boeing’s dedication to fostering innovation and nurturing India’s brightest talents, emphasising the company’s resolve to contribute to the growth of India’s innovation ecosystem.
Through collaborative efforts with academia and startups, Boeing endeavours to pave the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs, thereby bolstering India’s position as a hub for innovation and technological advancement.
