The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) launched JewelStart, its first dedicated innovation, incubation and acceleration platform for the gem and jewellery sector, on January 12, 2026, at IIJS Bharat Signature 2026 in Mumbai.

Conceived as an industry-led initiative, JewelStart is designed to integrate structured innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-led problem solving into the gem and jewellery value chain. The platform aims to support startups and MSMEs in converting ideas into scalable, market-ready businesses.

At the launch, GJEPC signed Memorandums of Understanding with Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay; National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad; ICICI Bank Ltd; IndusInd Bank Ltd; and IPV to strengthen collaboration across academia, finance and investment ecosystems.

Addressing the gathering, Tariq Thomas, Director, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said, “The industry is operating in an environment of constant volatility, from trade disruptions to shifting consumer preferences. Traditional ways of managing challenges may no longer be sufficient.” He added that platforms like JewelStart allow innovators to “engage directly with industry problems and build solutions that strengthen long-term competitiveness.”

GJEPC's Kirit Bhansali said, “As India moves towards its vision of becoming a USD 100-billion jewellery export powerhouse, the industry must evolve beyond legacy systems.” He described JewelStart as “a movement designed to infuse agility and digital-first innovation into the jewellery ecosystem.”

GJEPC's Sabyasachi Ray noted, “Building a strong startup and R&D ecosystem for our industry is no longer optional—it is a strategic necessity.” He added that JewelStart will provide entrepreneurs access to “mentorship, markets, capital and data-driven insights.”

The programme is structured around market access, mentorship and capital, with selected startups gaining exposure to GJEPC’s global trade platforms and industry-led problem statements.