How to Build a Small Startup for Automation in West Bengal: Insights from Sadhguru at YUVA Udyog

Sadhguru says in YUVA Udyog under Sadhguru Insight in West Bengal, "In the heart of Bengal’s soil, a circuit can awaken an economy. Innovation isn’t expensive — lack of intent is. A garage in Howrah today can become the next Silicon Valley tomorrow."

Article | Shree Siddhashram | April 14, 2025

Sadhguru: Igniting the Spark of Innovation. In the heart of West Bengal, a transformative movement is taking root—one that merges ancient wisdom with cutting-edge technology. At the YUVA Udyog event held at Shree Siddhashram, Sadhguru addressed a gathering of young engineers, emphasising the potential of electronics hardware-based automation startups to revolutionise industries and uplift communities.​

Sadhguru's Vision: Harmonising Tradition and Technology

Sadhguru's discourse highlighted the importance of aligning technological advancements with the holistic well-being of society. He urged young innovators to develop automation solutions that not only drive economic growth but also enhance the quality of life in rural and urban settings.​

Understanding the Landscape: Opportunities in West Bengal

West Bengal offers a fertile ground for electronics hardware-based automation startups, with opportunities spanning across:

• Agriculture: Automation in irrigation, crop monitoring, and harvesting.

• Manufacturing: Integration of IoT for predictive maintenance and quality control.​

• Healthcare: Development of affordable diagnostic devices and telemedicine solutions.​

• Energy: Smart grids and renewable energy management systems.​

Leveraging Government Initiatives: MSME and CSC Schemes

To support budding entrepreneurs, the government offers various schemes:

• MSME Subsidies: Financial assistance, including interest subsidies, capital investment subsidies, and power subsidies to reduce operational costs.​

• Cluster Development Program: Encourages the formation of industry clusters, providing shared resources and infrastructure to enhance competitiveness. ​

• Startup India Scheme: This offers seed funding, tax exemptions, and support for patent and trademark registration to foster innovation.​

• Common Service Centres (CSCs): CSCs serve as access points for delivering various electronic services, providing a platform for startups to reach rural markets.​

Building a Sustainable Startup: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Ideation and Market Research: Identify a pressing problem in the local context that can be addressed through automation.​

2. Prototype Development: Utilise available resources to create a minimum viable product (MVP) for testing and feedback.​

3. Business Plan and Funding: Develop a comprehensive business plan and apply for relevant government schemes and subsidies.​

4. Collaboration and Networking: Engage with local clusters, industry associations, and CSCs to build partnerships and expand reach.​

5. Scaling and Diversification: Continuously innovate and adapt to market needs, exploring opportunities for diversification and expansion.​

How to Utilise Open Source Platforms for Electronics Hardware-Based Automation

Sadhguru, addressing the young minds at Sadhguru Sannidhyan in Shree Siddhashram under the YUVA Udyog initiative, urged them not to reinvent the wheel but to leverage the power of open source in building lean, smart, and scalable automation startups. He said, “Technology is not just for the privileged few. The open-source movement has democratized innovation. What you need now is clarity of intent, not a warehouse of money.”

Let’s explore how young engineers and entrepreneurs in West Bengal can utilise open-source platforms to build powerful, affordable automation solutions—especially relevant for rural and semi-urban India.

1. Understanding Open Source in Automation

Open source means the design files, source code, and documentation of a project are freely available to be used, modified, and shared by anyone. In the context of hardware-based automation, open source allows startups to prototype quickly, cut costs, and focus on real-world problems instead of starting from scratch.

2. Popular Open Source Platforms for Automation

Let’s look at some tried-and-tested platforms widely used in the industry:

A. Arduino

• Use: Microcontroller platform for prototyping automation systems.

• Application: Home automation, sensor-based irrigation, automated lights.

• Example: A startup in the Birbhum district used Arduino to automate water pumps based on soil moisture for rice fields, cutting electricity costs and increasing crop yield.

B. Raspberry Pi

• Use: A Linux-based minicomputer ideal for IoT and edge automation.

• Application: Surveillance, industrial automation, smart energy meters.

• Example: A youth group in Nadia created a “Smart Panchayat” dashboard using Raspberry Pi, displaying water tank levels, lighting status, and CCTV feeds.

C. ESP32 / NodeMCU

• Use: Wi-Fi enabled microcontrollers, perfect for IoT projects.

• Application: Smart switches, home appliances, and connected devices.

• Example: A young team in Durgapur built a “Smart Home Automation Kit” using ESP32 and sold it at local expos for ₹1,500/unit.

D. KiCad & Fritzing

• Use: Open-source PCB design software.

• Application: Custom hardware design for automation.

• Bonus: These help you create your boards, reducing dependence on imports.

E. OpenPLC & Node-RED

• Use: For process control and automation logic design.

• Application: Smart factories, energy automation, water plants.

• Insight: Node-RED’s visual interface is great for beginners who want to drag and drop their logic without coding everything.

3. Why Open Source Is Ideal for Startups in West Bengal

West Bengal has a unique mixture of industrial hubs (like Durgapur and Haldia) and rural expanses where tech adoption is still limited. Open source tools allow:

• Quick Prototyping: No need to buy expensive software licenses.

• Community Support: Thousands of tutorials, GitHub projects, and forums.

• Localisation: You can customise tech to local needs—Bengali interfaces, local language audio alerts, etc.

• Scalability: What you build for a village can be scaled to a city.

4. Integrating Open Source with CSC & MSME Schemes

A. CSCs (Common Service Centers)

• Use CSCs to demonstrate your automation products to rural users.

• Example: Partner with CSCs in Bardhaman to deploy open-source-based soil monitoring tools to farmers.

B. MSME Support

• Prototype grants and testing facilities through MSME Technology Centres.

• Subsidised production for your open-source-based hardware.

• You can even apply for IP protection on your innovations if you add value on top of open-source platforms.

5. Example Startup: “BengalBotics Automation Pvt. Ltd.” (Hypothetical)

Let’s imagine a startup founded by three engineering grads from Jadavpur University:

• Vision: Create affordable automation for local markets.

• What they did:

  • Used Arduino + GSM-GPS module + Google Maps for Ride Bike Taxi, Auto Rickshaw, and Electric Rickshaw in Burdwan and Birbhum District.

  • Created their own PCB using KiCad and assembled units in their garage.

  • Marketed products using YouTube tutorials and partnered with local CSCs.

  • Applied for MSME Udyam registration and availed of a ₹5 lakh working capital subsidy.

Result: Within 2 years, they started exporting units to the rest of the District's Rural and Urban Transportation upgradation.

6. Open Source Isn’t Just Free – It’s Freedom

As Sadhguru said in his blessing to the engineers:

Automation isn’t about machines replacing people. It’s about empowering humans to live better, think better, and act consciously. Open source is a spiritual act—it dissolves ego and competition and celebrates collaboration.

7. Key Action Points for Aspiring Start-ups

• Learn Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32 using platforms like Instructables, Hackster.io, and YouTube.

• Register your startup under MSME Udyam for benefits.

• Apply to startup accelerators in IIT-KGP, IIM-C, or WB MSME clusters.

• Collaborate with CSCs in your district to pilot real-world use cases.

• Focus on building solutions for local problems—they often resonate globally.

Global Outreach: Positioning Innovative Products on the World Stage

To capture international markets:

• Quality Compliance: Ensure products meet global standards and certifications.​

• Digital Presence: Leverage online platforms for marketing and sales.​

• Participation in Trade Fairs: Showcase products at international expos to attract investors and customers.​

Embarking on a Journey of Impact

The convergence of traditional wisdom and modern technology presents a unique opportunity for young entrepreneurs in West Bengal. By harnessing government support and focusing on sustainable innovation, electronics hardware-based automation startups can drive socio-economic transformation and position themselves as global leaders in the industry.​