Team

FAYAZ AHAMMED SHAIK is an entrepreneur and innovation ecosystem professional with 9+ years of experience in business development, entrepreneurship, strategic partnerships, program management, innovation mentoring, and ecosystem development.

He currently serves as Manager – Partnerships & Investments at Atal Incubation Centre – AIC-SKU Confederation, within the ecosystem of Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India. His work focuses on building strategic partnerships, strengthening investor and industry engagement, supporting startups, and connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities across academia, industry, government, and the investment ecosystem.

Prior to joining AIC-SKU, Fayaz was the Founder & CEO of PROSOL MINDS, where he led organizational growth, strategic collaborations, innovation programs, and entrepreneurship initiatives. His work contributed to supporting the establishment of 400+ Atal Tinkering Labs under the Atal Innovation Mission ecosystem, creating opportunities for students and educators to engage with innovation, STEM, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship.

Fayaz is also a Mentor of Change with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, supporting young innovators and entrepreneurial minds through mentoring, innovation programs, creativity, and problem-solving initiatives.

His entrepreneurial journey has been recognized with the Young Entrepreneur Award – 2022 by the Indian Achievers Forum, along with Employee of the Year – 2018 and Best Event Organizer Award – 2016.

With an MBA in Marketing & Human Resource Management and a B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering, Fayaz brings together entrepreneurial experience, business acumen, technology understanding, and ecosystem leadership.

His professional focus is on building meaningful partnerships, connecting startups with investors and industry, strengthening academia–industry collaboration, and enabling innovation-led opportunities for sustainable growth.

Professional Focus

· Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations

· Investor & Industry Engagement

· Startup & Incubation Ecosystems

· Entrepreneurship & Innovation

· Institutional & Corporate Relations

· Program Development & Execution

· Stakeholder Engagement

· Innovation Mentoring

Professional Journey

Manager – Partnerships & Investments
Atal Incubation Centre – AIC-SKU Confederation

Working at the intersection of startups, investors, industry, academia, institutions, and innovation, with a focus on building partnerships and creating pathways for startup growth and investment.

Post graduate in computer science from Sri Krishna Devaraya University. He has 10+years of experience in marketing field, System admin and computer operations. He has worked as System Admin, Asst Branch Manager for TEAM LIFE CARE COMPANY INDIA PVT.LTD, relationship manager in AVIVA LIFE INSURANCE and senior sales officer for HSBC for home loans. He has competencies in providing suitable financial solutions to individuals based on their tax and saving tools and responsible for selling financial products like Mutual Funds, Tax Saving Bonds, Sips, Insurance products and other investments.

Rajasekhar supports finance and overall administration of the Incubation centre. Currently, Rajasekhar serves as the Finance Manager at a Corporate Atal Incubation Centre, where he is responsible for a wide range of financial and administrative functions.

His key responsibilities include:

Fund management and disbursement under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS).

Prototype grant management for startups supported under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

Financial planning, budgeting, and monitoring of grants allocated to startups

Revenue account management and financial reporting to key stakeholders

Ensuring compliance with financial regulations and government funding guidelines

Supporting the overall administration and operational finance of the incubation centre

In this role, Rajasekhar plays a pivotal part in maintaining financial transparency, ensuring effective fund utilization, and supporting the long-term sustainability of startup development initiatives within the incubation ecosystem.

Research Publications :

1. R. Li, J. Cai, L. Zhang,* S. Naresh** and A. Varada rajulu**Properties of cellulose/turmeric powder green composite films in journal of cellulose chemistry and technology.

2. B. Ashok, S. Naresh, K. Obi Reddy, K. Madhukar, J. Cai, L. Zhang & A. Varada Rajulu,. Tensile and  Thermal Properties of Poly (lactic acid)/ Eggshell Powder Composite Films in International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization.

Work Experience

v  Helper: Major Research Project, DST sponsored major research project "Development and performance analysis of completely biodegradable polymer composites" at, Department of Polymer Science, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India from September 2007 July 2010.

v  Project Helper: Indian Space Research Organization-Geosphere Biosphere Program (ISRO-GBP), Bangalore sponsored major research project "ISRO - GBP (ABLN C)" at Aerosol & Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India, from December 2010 - December 2012.

v  Helper: Major Research Project, CSIR sponsored major research project at, Department of Polymer Science, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India from March 2013 December 2015.

v  Helper: Major Research Project, DST Fist sponsored major research project at, Department of Physics, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India from March 2016 December 2018 .

v  Office Assistant: Atal Incubation Centre, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India from March 2019 June 2020.

v  Office Support: Atal Incubation Centre, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India from July 2020 to till Date