Innovations

NIDHI- Entrepreneur-In-Residence (NIDHI-EIR) - Support system to reduce risk

An applicant Technology Business Incubator should: a) Be a NSTEDB approved and recognised incubator (not-for-profit legal entity); b) Be in existence for at least three years with proven track record of incubation; c) Have a minimum of 20 resident incubatees; and d) Have capacity to generate pipeline of incubate and accommodate the growth in number of start-ups that can result from the NIDHI-EIR programme

Funding Agency: Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India

Area(s): Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Traditional Knowledge, Agricultural Sciences, Medical Sciences, Astronomy & Space Sciences, Computer Sciences and Information Technology, Other Areas

Financial Incentives: The NIDHI-EIR support recipient will be eligible for grant maximum of Rs.30,000/- per month with a minimum level of Rs.10,000/- per month for a period of 12 months. The Technology Business Incubator acting as Programme Executing Partner (PEP) will receive an annual grant to the maximum of Rs.39.60 lakhs per year. Out of this amount, Rs.36.00 lakhs shall be for NIDHI-EIR support as indicated above and Rs.3.6 lakhs (or 10% of the released amount whichever is lower) will be for local administration of the grant and execution overheads.

Time Period: The call for application is made once a year, with evaluation cycle starting in January.

Institution(s) involved: Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India

Overview: The NIDHI-EIR programme provides tremendous opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs to expand their networks and get critical feedback on their ventures in order to promote their entrepreneurial career goals and aspirations. The opportunities under NIDHI-EIR Programme includes guidance from experienced, innovative and highly successful entrepreneurs on the business concept, strategy or venture and insight into specific industries or markets; best practices for starting a business and broaden the professional network; and co-working spaces for developing the idea into a marketable product.