SmartMFG Innovation Programme
Empowering Innovation for a Safer, Smarter, and Sustainable Manufacturing Future
The SmartMFG Innovation Programme is a market access initiative aimed at identifying and supporting startups with transformative solutions for the manufacturing sector.
Last date to apply: 30thJune 2025
This programme offers a unique opportunity for startups to co-develop, pilot, and scale their innovations in partnership with a leading industrial manufacturing partner. The focus is on addressing real-world manufacturing challenges related to safety, efficiency, sustainability, and product quality.
Focus Areas / Problem Statements
Real-Time Safety Monitoring for Forklifts & Factory
Sensor - and
camera-based systems to detect unsafe driving, PPE violations, hazardous zone entries, and blocked gangways.
Sensor - and
camera-based systems to detect unsafe driving, PPE violations, hazardous zone entries, and blocked gangways.
Sustainable Packaging Alternatives
Develop eco-friendly, seaworthy, and cost-effective packaging solutions to replace traditional wooden pallets for logistics.
Develop eco-friendly, seaworthy, and cost-effective packaging solutions to replace traditional wooden pallets for logistics.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Shot Blasting
Innovate low-emission, quiet, and sustainable technologies to clean large volumes of HR steel, while maintaining surface quality.
Innovate low-emission, quiet, and sustainable technologies to clean large volumes of HR steel, while maintaining surface quality.
AI-Enhanced FEA for Weld Modelling
Use AI to enhance finite element analysis for predictive weld modelling and performance under varied conditions.
Use AI to enhance finite element analysis for predictive weld modelling and performance under varied conditions.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for Weld & Fitment Gaps
Advanced NDT technologies (ultrasonic or wave-based) to detect porosity, misalignments, and assembly gaps.
Advanced NDT technologies (ultrasonic or wave-based) to detect porosity, misalignments, and assembly gaps.
Automated Tapped Hole Inspection System
AI-powered vision/laser systems to inspect over 400 tapped holes per product, reducing inspection time significantly.
AI-powered vision/laser systems to inspect over 400 tapped holes per product, reducing inspection time significantly.
Advanced Defect Recognition & Visual Inspection
Real-time optical, camera, or laser-based systems for dimensional inspection and defect identification.
Real-time optical, camera, or laser-based systems for dimensional inspection and defect identification.
AI-Driven Painting Cobots
Smart collaborative robots for adaptive, precision painting with enhanced safety and reduced manual intervention.
Smart collaborative robots for adaptive, precision painting with enhanced safety and reduced manual intervention.
Digitalization of Paint-Baking Oven
IoT-based solutions to capture real-time data (airflow, temperature, fuel usage) for improved energy and process efficiency.
IoT-based solutions to capture real-time data (airflow, temperature, fuel usage) for improved energy and process efficiency.
Who Should Apply?
- Startups and innovators in Industry 4.0, Deep Tech, AI, IoT, and Sustainability
- Companies offering solutions in industrial automation, NDT, inspection systems, or packaging
- Early or growth-stage ventures with deployable and scalable solutions for heavy manufacturing environments
What’s in it for Startups?
- Opportunity to co-develop and pilot solutions with a leading industrial partner
- Access to plant-level data, operational insights, and testing environments
- Mentorship and technical support from domain experts
- Visibility and recognition through CII CIES platforms
- Potential for long-term collaboration and scale-up
FAQs
Who can apply?
Startups and technology providers working in manufacturing, automation, IoT, inspection, packaging, and related areas.
Is there a fee to participate?
No. Participation in the programme is completely free.
Will pilot projects be supported?
Yes. Selected startups will be considered for co-development and pilot implementation.
What is the selection process?
Applications will be screened for relevance, followed by evaluations based on innovation, scalability, and alignment with the outlined problem statements.
For more information, please write to:
Mr Nishit Sharma
nishit.sharma@cii.in
nishit.sharma@cii.in
