Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay’s technology business incubator, is set to expand its reach to 1,000 startups over the next 10 years, a big leap from the 245 it has nurtured over the past 20 years.

To fuel its ambitious growth, SINE is set to launch a Rs 100-crore venture capital fund targeting deeptech startups in key sectors such as biotech, space, defence, and sustainability. The fund is expected to receive backing from IIT Bombay alumni.

SINE has supported 245 startups with an impressive 80% survival rate, said the incubator in a press release.

“SINE has incubated startups that have generated over 300 intellectual properties across critical sectors like ICT, healthcare, cleantech and industrials. Several of these startups have grown into industry-leading companies,” said Santosh J. Gharpure, Professor-in-Charge, SINE.

SINE is known for producing startups such as Gupshup, IdeaForge, ImmunoACT, Zeus Numerix, Sedemac, Atomberg, and SAFE Security. It has also supported transformative ventures in areas such as clean energy, agritech, and mobility, with startups collectively raising $942 million and valued at $3.56 billion, the release said.

“To have a scale impact, India needs to go from 100 startups per million population to 1,000. By leading the way, SINE hopes to emerge as an innovation and entrepreneurship powerhouse focussed on democratising entrepreneurship and providing quality access to coaching, capital and connects to customers and the ecosystem,” said Shaji Varghese, CEO, SINE.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, SINE will host ‘Innovation Nation: Leveraging India’s Talent and Entrepreneurial Spirit in the Era of Disruptive Technologies’ on November 28 and 29, featuring thought leaders and policymakers discussing India’s entrepreneurial potential.

Currently, SINE collaborates with central ministries and corporates across IT, aerospace, auto, and BFSI sectors, offering resources like prototype labs, funding access, and high-end facilities at IIT Bombay.

Its current startups, including Haystack Analytics (genomics), SustLabs (energy tech), and Inspecity (space tech), underline SINE’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking solutions for societal challenges.

“IIT Bombay has invested Rs 500 crore to create a world-class research facility, which will support R&D activities in emerging areas such as semiconductors, space, quantum computing, and electric mobility among others. This will create a strong pipeline for SINE in form of research ideas that have potential to become bankable ventures,” said Professor Milind Atrey, Deputy Director (Academics, Research and Translation), IIT Bombay.

Space tech firm AgniKul Cosmos reported a more than threefold increase in revenue in FY24 but its losses widened due to higher expenses.

The Chennai-based company reported Rs 9.3 crore in revenue for FY24, entirely from non-operating income, a 225.6% year-over-year (YoY) increase, according to its latest financial statements. It did not generate any operational revenue.

The space tech firm specialises in designing, developing, and testing hardware, such as propulsion systems and structures, and software for rapid sub-orbital, orbital, and deep-space launches of lightweight and heavy payloads or satellites.

Agnikul Cosmos, still in the pre-revenue stage, is focused on strengthening its technology infrastructure, expanding ground testing capabilities, and investing heavily in research and development—factors that continue to drive its financial losses.

Its loss widened 112.3% YoY to Rs 43 crore in FY24. It was driven by a 126.4% rise in expenses, totalling Rs 52.3 crore in FY24, as opposed to Rs 23.1 crore reported in FY23. 

The losses ballooned primarily due to higher spending on employee benefits—the firm’s largest expense—which rose to Rs 17.5 crore, a nearly 80% YoY increase. Furthermore, its spending on research development expenses amounted to Rs 12.9 crore in FY24.

Agnikul Cosmos was co-founded in 2017 by Srinath Ravichandran and Moin SPM. It has secured a total equity funding of $67 million, including a Series B round of $26.7 million in 2023.

The Chennai-based firm finds itself in a sweet spot. The spotlight is on India’s affordable space launches, and it is building on this legacy by demonstrating cost-effective launches using 3D-printed rocket engines. Its Agnilet engine, first test-fired in 2021, is the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic rocket engine.

After four failed attempts, the space tech startup made history on May 30, 2024, with a triumphant sub-orbital test flight of its launch vehicle, Agnibaan SOrTeD (SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator), powered by seven Agnilet engines. It became only the second private space tech firm to achieve rocket launch success after Skyroot Aerospace’s groundbreaking Vikram S rocket launch in November 2022.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is playing an active role in the growth of startups in the space economy, including Agnikul Cosmos, Skyroot Aerospace, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, and Bellatrix Aerospace.

Last month, the Union Cabinet approved a Rs 1,000-crore venture capital fund for the space tech sector under the aegis of IN-SPACe.

In a world obsessed with productivity, constant notifications, and an endless race to “get things done,” Jenny Odell’s How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy stands as a clarion call for mindfulness and intentional living. The book isn’t about literally doing nothing; instead, it’s about reclaiming your time, attention, and sense of purpose from the forces that commodify them. Odell encourages readers to resist societal pressures to always be productive and instead engage with the world on their own terms.

Whether you’re seeking balance, clarity, or a fresh perspective on life, here are 10 transformative lessons from this groundbreaking book.

10 lessons from Odell’s How to Do Nothing

Reclaiming your attention is revolutionary

Odell argues that in a world driven by the attention economy, your focus has become a commodity. Taking back control of your attention is an act of resistance against a culture designed to distract and exploit.

Start by identifying what drains your attention, like social media or constant multitasking, and create intentional boundaries.

Redefine productivity

The book challenges the notion that your worth is tied to constant productivity. True value comes from meaningful engagement, not perpetual busyness.

Pause and ask: Am I doing this for genuine fulfilment or just to check it off a list?

Rediscover the art of observation

Odell emphasises the importance of noticing the world around you—its sights, sounds, and rhythms. By slowing down, you can reconnect with your surroundings and experience deeper satisfaction.

Try taking a “silent walk” without your phone. Pay attention to the details of your environment, from the rustle of leaves to the shapes of clouds.

Engage in intentional idleness

Doing nothing isn’t laziness—it’s a chance to recharge and reflect. Odell calls for carving out time for idleness to cultivate creativity and well-being.

Schedule “unplugged hours” where you do nothing but relax, think, or simply exist without pressure.

Resist the pressure to always be online

Odell critiques the expectation to be perpetually reachable, reminding us that constant connectivity erodes boundaries and mental peace.

Turn off non-essential notifications and establish clear offline hours. Let people know when you’re unavailable to normalise boundaries.

Build a deeper connection with nature

Nature plays a central role in the book as a source of grounding and inspiration. Spending time outdoors can help you find clarity and perspective.

Dedicate time each week to connect with nature, whether through a hike, gardening, or simply sitting in a park.

Value relationships over algorithms

Odell encourages prioritising face-to-face interactions and meaningful connections over superficial online engagements dictated by algorithms.

Spend more time with people who inspire and uplift you, and less time scrolling through curated feeds.

Practice deliberate rest

Rest is a fundamental part of being human. Odell reminds us that rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for creativity, health, and joy.

Incorporate restful practices into your day, such as meditating, journaling, or simply taking a nap without guilt.

Find joy in community participation

The book emphasises the power of community and the satisfaction that comes from contributing to something larger than yourself.

Join a local group, volunteer, or participate in community events to foster connections and purpose.

Live life on your terms

Ultimately, Odell’s message is about rejecting societal norms that dictate how you should spend your time and embracing a life that feels authentic to you.

What activities or values truly make you happy, and how can you align your life around them?

Conclusion

How to Do Nothing is more than a book; it’s a manifesto for mindful living in a chaotic world. Odell’s lessons remind us that life’s richness isn’t found in constant achievement but in deliberate moments of presence, connection, and introspection.

By applying these 10 lessons, you can reclaim your attention, redefine success, and create a life that truly aligns with your values. So take a step back, breathe, and ask yourself: What truly matters? The answers may surprise you—and transform your life.