Intel to chip into Digital India

Intel to chip into Digital India US chipmaker Intel is keen to back the Digital India campaign with a set of initiatives to help fund start-ups and small companies. Intel's Innovate for Digital India Challenge has earmarked $2.4 crores to fund around 20 ventures in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad and CIIE (Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship) will help the technology giant pick ventures that are commercially viable in areas such as financial inclusion, agriculture, healthcare, amongst others. The innovate for Digital India Challenge will encourage easy to use products such as biometric sensing capabilities, language supported voice solutions, sensors, gesture recognition, among others. US firm acquires Kerala-based group US-based instant test instruments company Neogen Corporation has acquired Sterling Test House, a leading commercial food testing laboratory and a division of Kochibased Sterling Group. The acquired laboratory will serve as a base for the $2.5-billion Neogen's new operations in India, the Sterling Group of companies said. The US firm marks its entry into the Indian market with this acquisition and is planning to expand across the country. Shivdas B.Menon, Sterling Group Managing Director, said: “We are immensely pleased to be joining Negoen. The timing for expansion in India in the food safety market is perfect for Neogen to provide leadership to the public and private sectors in their efforts to strengthen the food chain in its entirety.” Sterling Test House was incorporated in 1990 and its business has grown to include all the food safety and water quality testing for major hotels and restaurants.