NEC celebrated Startup Day with great enthusiasm, marking a decade of its dedicated efforts towards building a structured startup ecosystem and encouraging the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among young minds.
The event witnessed the participation of over 150 budding entrepreneurs and innovators, along with faculty members from various Engineering, Architecture, and Pharmacy colleges across the region. It served as a vibrant platform to motivate students and aspiring innovators to explore the vast opportunities in entrepreneurship.
Nashik Engineering Cluster has added another remarkable achievement to its journey of excellence by receiving the Platinum Award for Smart Incubator of the Year 2026 from the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF). This prestigious recognition was presented during the 10th Edition of the ISGF Innovation Awards, held on 13th March 2026 in New Delhi. The award was accepted by Mr. SK Mathur, CEO - Nashik Engineering Cluster, along with Mr. Nikhil Kulkarni, GM - NEC’s Incubation Centre. The ISGF Innovation Awards, instituted in 2017, honour organizations that have created significant impact and set new standards in promoting innovation within industrial sectors. Receiving this award reflects NEC’s dedicated efforts in building a strong and dynamic incubation ecosystem that supports innovation-led growth.
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nInC celebrated World Entrepreneurship Day-2025 with an inspiring mix of students, faculties from 5 engg. institutions, industry experts & our supported startups.
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Nashik Engineering Cluster’s Incubation Centre has launched a free 2.5-month, 10-session cohort for startups and innovators in association with Garje Marathi. Designed to transform ideas into sustainable ventures, the program covers every key milestone of entrepreneurship: idea formation, validation, first customers, compliance, tech leverage, funding, and scaling.
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Nashik Engineering Cluster signed an MOU with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the presence of Mr. Sanjiv - Joint Secretary DPIIT, Govt. of India and Dr. Sumeet Jarangal IAS , Director (Startup India) DPIIT to promote innovation and growth within India’s engineering and manufacturing sectors, particularly for Startups and Entrepreneurs. The MOU supports the government's vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by encouraging technological advancements, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening the "Make in India" movement. Through this collaboration, NEC and DPIIT aim to develop cutting-edge solutions that enhance India’s manufacturing infrastructure, create jobs and drive economic growth.
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On July 26th 2024, a significant interaction took place between startups pre-incubated at Nashik Engineering Cluster's Innovation Incubation Center (n-InC) and representatives from the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS). The event, hosted by NEC's n-InC featured prominent MSInS delegates, who engaged directly with 62+ startups and innovators. The session provided a valuable platform for startups to discuss state-led initiatives and schemes, present their innovations, and receive direct feedback on the ecosystem’s support for entrepreneurship. Attendees spanned a wide range of 13different sectors. A large number of Startups also displayed their innovative products at the Display gallery of n InC. The program concluded with a special recognition for selected startups participating in the prestigious five-month Stanford Seed Spark Program.
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NEC Conducted an event on 5th February 2024 for Celebration of success stories of startups supported by Nashik Engineering Cluster & Distribution of Seedfund to Startups selected by NEC’s ISMC under SISFS. Successful start-ups in Nashik presented their journey to success before Chief Guest Ms. Nidhi Chaudhary, IAS - CEO of Maharashtra State Innovation Society. Ms. Nidhi Chaudhary awarded the seed fund certificates to the startups in the presence of dignitaries to the first batch of startups assisted by the Nashik Engineering Cluster under the Start-up India Seed fund initiative.
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NEC successfully facilitated the commercial launch of an innovative product developed by a 20-year-old farmer student and winner of NEC’s Grassroot Innovation Challenge. He was one of the award winners of our grassroot innovation challenge ‘उमेद - शोध नावीन्यतेचा. The market-ready product was officially launched by CEO ZP Nashik Ashima Mittal (IAS), marking an important milestone in promoting grassroots innovation and rural entrepreneurship. The startup also received its first product supply order from Zilla Parishad, Nashik. This achievement reflects NEC’s commitment towards supporting innovators through the complete journey from concept development to market commercialization by providing technical guidance, mentoring, and infrastructure support.
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IdeaSpark : Innovation Challenge - 2023 was formally launched by District Collector Mr. Jalaj Sharma, IAS on 21st September 2023. It received response with 313 participants submitting 118 ideas from 5 states including Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana. We received participation of 60%+ area of Maharashtra with people from 19 districts participating in Idea Spark 2023. Demographic analysis of participation in Innovation Challenge shows the wide spectrum of participants ranging from age group of 16yrs to 63yrs, qualification of less than 10th pass to doctorates and 28% women participants. Grand Finale of IdeaSpark : NEC’s Innovation Challenge - 2023 held at NEC, Nashik on 21st November 2023.
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Nashik Engineering Cluster in collaboration of Zilla Parishad, Nashik conducted Grassroots Innovation Challenge “उमेद - शोध नावीन्यतेचा” for Rural Innovators. The boot camps were conducted which was a great connect between rural youth and the initiative. It saw a participation of more than 800 participants and this transformed in to 91 ideas being submitted by Innovators/ entrepreneurs. These 91 ideas were screened by domain experts and 12 best ideas were shortlisted to be presented to grand jury comprising of Industry & Administration leaders. The final event was held on 12th Nov 2022 at Nashik Engineering Cluster with CEO ZP herself being on panel of jury
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On the occasion of NEC’s 15th Foundation Day on 1st Aug. 2022 , we inaugurated NEC’s dedicated Innovation Incubation Centre by Chief Guest Mrs. Leena Bansod IAS, CEO – Z.P. Nashik. She appreciated the futuristic vision of NEC founders of creating an organization in 2007 which is contemporary even as on date.
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NEC’s Innovation Challenge - 2022 held at NEC, Nashik on 29th April 2022. The event saw a large participation from Innovators & entrepreneurs across Maharashtra. Most promising 8 Ideas / Teams that were shortlisted based on evaluation of ideas presented their Innovative ideas and products at the Innovation Challenge - 2022 at Nashik Engineering Cluster. Evaluation was done by Grand Jury comprising of eminent Industry Leaders.
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Nashik Engineering Cluster conducted Waste 2 Wealth Ideathon on 19th August 2021at NEC, Nashik. Waste 2 Wealth transformation through Innovative Ideas Products/Services is key focus area for developing Smart Cities. nInC and Nashik Smart City Corporation (NMSCDCL) joined hands to promote the Ideathon for finding out of box innovative solutions for the problem being faced by Urban India. n InC’s Waste 2 Wealth Ideathon was conducted in two Phases. The event saw huge participation from across the state.
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To take the journey ahead of Innovation Challenge-2019, Nashik Engineering Cluster conducted four days intensive Workshop “Cohort 2020” from 16 February to 19 February 2020 to nurture top 12 ideas/ projects on various topics by domain experts.
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Nashik Engineering Cluster conducted Innovation Challenge 2019 on 15th December 2019 at NEC, Nashik. The event received enthusiastic participation from innovators and entrepreneurs across Maharashtra, including cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Baramati, Yavatmal, Shegaon, and Nashik. The challenge brought together participants from diverse age groups and educational backgrounds. The top 50 shortlisted teams presented their innovative ideas and products before a jury comprising eminent industry leaders and senior government officials. The top 12 ideas were selected for a four-day Training & Mentoring Program on Innovation Management at NEC, while cash prizes were awarded to the top three winning ideas.
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Nashik Engineering Cluster and Nashik District Innovation Council, organised the Innovation Day (Lead by Mr. Radhakrishnan. B (IAS), District Collector). The inauguration was done by Shri. Aseem Gupta (IAS) Principal Secretary-Skill development and entrepreneurship and Principal Secretary- Rural Development on 4th April 2018. The function was presided by District Collector Shri Radhakrishnan. B (IAS). The occasion was graced by Hon. Hemant Godse (Member of Parliament). The closing programme was conducted on 5th April 2018 by the Chief guest and guest of Honour Shri Ram Bhogale, Director – Marathawada Auto Components and Shri. Tukaramji Mundhe (IAS), Commissioner, Nashik Municipal Corporation.