In a major boost to the region's entrepreneurial landscape and skill development infrastructure, the Government of Haryana has officially established the state’s first Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Incubation Centre at IHM Rohtak. The newly formed facility has received its official registration certificate, clearing the path for an innovation-driven workspace designed to support new ventures across the hospitality, culinary arts, travel, and food technology industries.
The launch of this pioneering center is an initiative under the leadership of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, whose administration has made youth empowerment, job creation, and startup development central pillars of the state's economic plan. Supported by Haryana Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, the center aims to upgrade hospitality education and turn young innovators into active job creators.
Strategic Leadership Driving Hospitality Innovation
The setup of the incubation facility is the result of the vision of Sh. Amit Agrawal, IAS, Chairman of IHM Rohtak and Commissioner of the Tourism and Commerce Department, Government of Haryana. Under his guidance, IHM Rohtak has expanded its focus from traditional vocational training to a modern, technology-focused ecosystem where research-backed ideas can be developed into stable business models.
By bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world market demands, this incubation center provides students and independent regional innovators with the infrastructure, funding networks, and industry access required to build competitive products.
Target Industries and Full-Stack Startup Resources
The new platform is tailored to help build startups in the hospitality sector and its related fields. The center will focus its mentorship and workspace resources on several core areas:
Food Technology & Processing: Building new value chains in local culinary production and automated food preparation.
Digital Hospitality Software: Creating conversational AI tools, modern guest-relation apps, and data-driven management systems for hotels.
Sustainable & Rural Tourism: Launching community-backed travel platforms, eco-friendly accommodation networks, and green tourism models.
Event & Wellness Management: Developing organized medical tourism networks and professional event-tech solutions.
To support founders at every stage of development, the center will offer full-stack business assistance, including market validation research, corporate partnership match-making, financial accounting advice, and specialized workspace access.
Connecting Classrooms, Corporate Partners, and Regional Capital
"The establishment of Haryana's first IHM Incubation Centre is a landmark achievement that reflects the commitment of the Government of Haryana towards innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment," stated Shambhunath Gautam, Principal of IHM Rohtak. "This centre will create an enabling environment where students, researchers, innovators, and aspiring entrepreneurs can receive professional guidance, mentorship, technical assistance, and industry exposure to transform their innovative ideas into successful business enterprises. Our objective is not only to create entrepreneurs but also to develop future leaders who will contribute to the growth of India's hospitality and tourism sectors."
He also emphasized that the facility will strengthen collaborations between academic institutions, private industry leaders, national angel investors, and government regulatory bodies. This ecosystem helps young entrepreneurs gain early market access and secure the financial support required to scale their businesses.
Phase-1 Roadmap: Upcoming Programs and Social Impact Targets
With the registration certificate formally granted, IHM Rohtak is rolling out its first phase of operational programs. Over the next few months, the center will host a series of targeted ecosystem events:
Startup Bootcamps & Hackathons: Rapid prototyping competitions designed to solve common operational challenges in supply chains, waste management, and energy use.
Founder Mentorship Series: Regular lectures and technical workshops led by prominent Indian startup founders and corporate executives.
Investor Meet-ups: Presentation days where advanced projects can pitch directly to institutional venture capital firms and regional angel groups.
The center will place special emphasis on supporting women founders, scaling rural innovations, and encouraging sustainable practices. By backing businesses focused on eco-friendly footprints and socially responsible operations, the incubation center aims to generate measurable social and economic benefits across Haryana's tier-2 and tier-3 towns.
This initiative links directly with India's primary national growth strategies, including the Startup India Mission, Skill India, Digital India, and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). By driving innovation within a traditional service sector, the facility strengthens Haryana's reputation as an attractive hub for skill development, long-term capital investments, and enterprise creation.
About IHM Rohtak
The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Rohtak is a premier hospitality education institution established by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Haryana. Located within the National Capital Region (NCR), the institute provides high-quality hospitality training, degree programs, and professional certifications. Known for its academic focus and modern infrastructure, IHM Rohtak now houses the state's first dedicated hospitality incubation platform, serving as a neutral catalyst for tech-driven growth and entrepreneurship across India's service economy.
