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Global Collaboration Forum, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park ink MoU to support startups ahead of London summit

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 30 Aug 2025, 12:42 am

Kolkata: The Global Collaboration Forum (GCF), which is hosting a thought leadership summit in London in October, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) to support startups and build an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country.

The MoU, effective for two years, was signed by Dr. Amit Ghose, director of GCF, and Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO of IIMCIP, at Taj Bengal hotel in Kolkata on Aug 22 at the curtain raiser event of Indi Setu, the upcoming London thought leadership summit.

As per the agreement, GCF and IIMCIP will work together to nurture socially impactful startups in healthcare, sustainability, clean technology and other areas.

The two organisations will create and curate a pipeline of startups, provide platforms for entrepreneurs to present their business models, and make joint efforts to connect investable ventures with investors and funds.

The MoU also provides for mentoring sessions, demo days, market connects and workshops to facilitate collaboration and innovation.

Thought leaders of IndiSetu attended the launch of the summit's 2025 magazine in Kolkata. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

GCF will organise sector-specific investment events, while IIMCIP will share its insights and experience with startups linked to GCF.

The document clarifies that the MoU is non-financial, with each party responsible for its own resources, costs and expenses. It is also non-exclusive, allowing both GCF and IIMCIP to enter into similar agreements with other organisations.

Other provisions in the MoU cover dispute resolution through consultation and arbitration in Kolkata, confidentiality of terms, indemnification in case of breach, and force majeure.

Either party can terminate the MoU with 90 days’ notice or if a breach is not rectified within 30 days of notification.

Dr Amit Ghose walked the audience through the framework of IndiSetu 2025. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

GCF, set up in Kolkata in 2024, describes itself as a platform to foster cooperation and collaboration between India and the world, with a special focus on India-UK relations.

IIMCIP, incorporated in 2014 under the aegis of IIM Calcutta, is a not-for-profit company that supports entrepreneurs in commercialisation, mentoring, market linkage and access to funding.

At the Taj Bengal curtain raiser, Indi Setu saw participation of leaders from healthcare, technology, academia, and conservation to discuss India’s growth and the power of collaboration in shaping the future.