In a landmark step toward strengthening India’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, has partnered with Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd. to roll out MStar™ Global AI Connect—a first-of-its-kind, AI-powered national innovation backbone built to connect every stakeholder in the country’s knowledge and startup ecosystem.

The Statement of Intent (SoI) was formalized between Dr. Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, AIM, NITI Aayog, and Dr. Bharat Kaushal, Executive Chairman, Hitachi India and Managing Director, Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd.

A National Innovation Grid for ‘Viksit Bharat’

The partnership is designed to accelerate the Government of India's vision of a Viksit Bharat, where innovation becomes both universal and equitable. MStar™ Global AI Connect aims to function as a federated, interoperable digital network that links students, teachers, Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), incubators, accelerators, researchers, industry experts, and global markets.

From a rural school student ideating a prototype to a startup pitching for industry partnerships—this platform promises end-to-end support across the entire innovation lifecycle.

With the platform’s focus on accessibility and scale, AIM seeks to transform India’s innovation movement from fragmented success stories to a frictionless, national pipeline of young innovators, job creators, and IP generators.

Leadership Insights: Innovation for All

Speaking at the signing ceremony, AIM Mission Director Dr. Deepak Bagla emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership:

“Atal Innovation Mission has always believed that every child is a potential innovator. This partnership will help us move from isolated success stories to a structured, scalable and inclusive pipeline of innovators and job creators. It will take forward the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of making innovation a nationwide movement starting from our schools.”

Echoing this vision, Dr. Bharat Kaushal highlighted the platform’s foundational inclusive ethos:

“Our vision with MStar™ Global AI Connect is to put problem-solving into the hands of every willing child in India. We aim to build a multilingual, accessible and inclusive network linking students to mentors, incubators, industry and markets.”

What the AIM–Hitachi MGRM Net Partnership Will Deliver

The SoI outlines a robust framework built to strengthen India's innovation capabilities at scale.

1. Universal Reach and Inclusion

• Nationwide onboarding of schools, educators, mentors, incubators, and startups
• Multilingual access to bridge India’s linguistic and digital divides
• Special focus on rural and underserved regions

2. Virtual–Physical Fusion of Innovation Infrastructure

• Launch of virtual ATLs (vATLs), virtual AICs/AICCs
• Integrated support for physical labs enabling remote mentorship and participation
• Wider access for students lacking physical tinkering facilities

3. End-to-End AI-Powered Innovation Workflows

• AI-assisted ideation, prototyping, and solution-building
• TRL/IRL tracking to streamline lab-to-market progression
• Embedded pathways for challenge grants and procurement

4. Talent Discovery and Nurturing

• Design thinking programs for early-age innovators
• Hackathons, problem-solving tournaments, and innovation sprints
• Tools to identify gifted students and fast-track their journey

5. IP Creation, Markets, and Funding Linkages

• Support for IP filing and ethical research
• Investor connects, CSR-backed innovation funds, and export facilitation
• Market discovery pathways and public procurement access

6. Evidence-Based Policy Support

• Data analytics to inform national and state-level policymaking
• Insights on inclusion, skill development, jobs, and trade
• Real-time dashboards for monitoring innovation outcomes

Strengthening India’s Innovation Pipeline

The collaboration aims to create a single, interoperable innovation backbone that brings together government programs, educational institutions, industry, and global markets. By expanding access to frontier technologies and real-world problem-solving opportunities, the initiative is set to:

• Empower teachers with new-age tools
• Boost frontier-tech skilling in schools
• Accelerate India’s IP and research output
• Reduce friction in taking ideas to global markets
• Create a generation of young innovators prepared for emerging opportunities

A Step Toward an Innovation-Led Future

With this SoI, AIM reaffirms its mission to democratize innovation, while Hitachi MGRM Net brings its expertise in digital public-value platforms to help India build a scalable, inclusive, AI-driven innovation infrastructure.

As India marches toward its Viksit Bharat vision, MStar™ Global AI Connect could become the backbone that links millions of young minds to the mentors, markets, and technologies needed to transform ideas into impactful enterprises.

This partnership doesn’t just build a platform—it builds a nationwide movement of innovators ready to shape India’s future.

Everything You Need to Know About MStar Global AI Connect

1. Who launched the MStar Global AI Connect platform?

AIM, NITI Aayog launched the platform in partnership with Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd.

2. What is the purpose of MStar Global AI Connect?

The platform aims to create a nationwide AI-driven innovation network supporting students, educators, startups, and incubators.

3. How will the platform help students?

Students gain access to virtual labs, mentors, design-thinking programs, innovation challenges, and startup pathways.

4. What role does AI play in the platform?

AI powers workflows across idea development, prototyping, TRL/IRL tracking, skill-building, and analytics for policymaking.

5. Will rural and underserved communities benefit?

Yes. The platform ensures multilingual access and nationwide onboarding to include rural, remote, and underserved areas.

6. Does the platform support IP and startup growth?

Yes. It offers IP filing support, investor connects, CSR fundraising routes, export readiness, and procurement linkages.

7. How does MStar support Viksit Bharat?

It strengthens India’s school-to-startup pipeline and accelerates nationwide innovation capacity in line with the Viksit Bharat vision.