Kochi: Startup Village Chairman Sanjay Vijayakumar has been nominated as a member of the International Board of Governors to the United States-India Science and Technology Endowment Forum (USISTEF).
The body supports and fosters innovation and entrepreneurship through application of science and technology.
Vijayakumar's nomination by the central government was announced by Department of Science and Technology Secretary Ashutosh Sharma.
USISTEF administers the U.S-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund, which is jointly set up by the governments of India and the U.S.
The fund supports R&D enabled cooperation for generating social benefits by commercialisation of technology through partnerships between Indian and American researchers and entrepreneurs.
A joint Governing Board of 18 members (nine each from India and the U.S) has been formed to provide leadership and oversight to USISTEF and to ensure that the programmes and activities of the bilateral Fund conform to the highest standards.
From the Indian side, the governing Board is co-chaired by Dr Arabinda Mitra, Advisor & Head, International Bilateral Cooperation, DST (IBCD).
"I am hugely honoured by my nomination to the Governing Board of USISTEF.It will give me an opportunity to interact and share ideas with some of the most important names in the area of entrepreneurship and innovation," Vijayakumar said.
"India needs a conducive ecosystem for startups, and I hope USISTEF can lend a cutting edge to such a mission," he said.
(With agency inputs)