National News
GJEPC & SINE IIT Bombay Launch JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge 2026
The Challenge Invites Startups, Innovators and Technology Solution Providers To Address Pressing Industry Needs Across The Jewellery Value Chain
GJEPC, in collaboration with SINE, IIT Bombay, has launched the first edition of the JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge 2026, a national platform aimed at bringing startup-led innovation into India’s gems and jewellery sector.
The challenge invites startups, innovators and technology solution providers to address pressing industry needs across the jewellery value chain, spanning manufacturing, retail, supply chain, sustainability, automation, traceability, design and digital transformation.
Launched under GJEPC’s JewelStart initiative, the programme seeks to connect entrepreneurial problem-solving with real-world industry requirements. Areas of focus include smart factory monitoring, precious metal inventory and capital optimisation, smart manufacturing automation, sustainable jewellery manufacturing, affordable jewellery prototyping, and AI-led productivity and process enhancement.
Selected participants will gain access to industry recognition, expert evaluation, ecosystem validation and opportunities to explore pilot collaborations with leading stakeholders. The programme also offers exposure to SINE IIT Bombay’s innovation network and mentorship ecosystem.
JewelStart itself was launched earlier this year by GJEPC as a dedicated innovation, incubation and acceleration platform for the gem and jewellery industry, designed to encourage technology adoption, entrepreneurship and scalable business solutions.
The challenge is open to India-registered startups with validated prototypes, MVPs, pilot-stage or market-ready solutions relevant to the gems and jewellery ecosystem. Startups from adjacent sectors such as AI, IoT, sustainability, logistics and fintech are also eligible if their technologies can be adapted to industry applications.Applications for the JewelStart Industry Innovation Challenge 2026 are open until 18 June 2026.
National News
GJEPC Joins Commerce Ministry Delegation To Canada For CEPA Talks
The Delegation Comprises Senior Representatives From More Than 100 Indian Businesses Across Sectors
Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is leading a high-level Indian delegation to Canada from 25-27 May to advance discussions on the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.
Anoop Mehta, Convener – Diamond Panel, GJEPC, is representing the Council as part of the Indian delegation accompanying the Minister. The delegation comprises senior representatives from more than 100 Indian businesses across sectors.
India-Canada bilateral merchandise trade stood at around USD 8.6 billion in FY2024-25, while bilateral services trade reached approximately USD 14.3 billion in 2024. Both countries are aiming to significantly expand trade ties, with a long-term target of USD 50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. India imported rough diamonds worth USD 62.97 million from Canada in FY2025-26.
During the visit, Goyal is scheduled to meet Canadian Minister of International Trade Mr. Maninder Sidhu, Prime Minister Mr. Mark Carney, senior government officials, business leaders, startups and investment institutions to review progress on CEPA negotiations and explore new avenues for economic cooperation.
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