Deadline: 5-Jan-22
Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is inviting applications for prototype level projects under the NIDHI-PRAYAS scheme of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
This grant will primarily be utilized by aspiring innovators to convert their ideas into prototype.
DST-NIDHI’s PRomoting and Accelerating Young and ASpiring technology entrepreneurs (PRAYAS) is a pre-incubation initiative which supports young innovators to turn their ideas into Proof of Concept.
The program aims to provide a platform to young innovators to generate solutions for relevant local and social problem. PRAYAS will also promote vibrant innovation ecosystem, by establishing a network between innovators, academia, mentors, and incubators by catalyzing the process of commercialization for innovators.
It is implemented by Program Management Unit (PMU) at recognized PRAYAS centres. Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is one of the PRAYAS centres.
NIDHI- PRAYAS Program as the scheme suggests is to help – young and aspiring innovators. The focus is to provide support/funding from idea to prototype.
This grant, therefore, will primarily be utilised by the innovators to convert their ideas into prototype It cannot, however, be used for supporting:
- Any institute/organization(not being a startup company) to develop an IP into a prototype.
- Any innovators working/pertaining to an institute/organization for converting their IP into prototype.
- Any idea which is part of academic research work carried out at the institute/personal level.
- Any idea that is developed into a prototype where the IP could vest with any institute/organization.
Benefits
- Funding: Rs.10 lakh (Max) as grant for converting his/ her innovative idea into prototype within 18 months.
- Co-working: Shared/Co-working spaces for developing idea into Prototype
- Prototyping: Access to infrastructure and prototype building facility
- Acceleration: Development of idea from early to commercial stage and mentorship from experienced industry experts
Guidelines for PRAYAS Support
- NIDHI PRAYAS program will provide funding support for converting innovative ideas into prototypes.
- The eligibility criteria for the grantees are as follows:
- Individual innovator: He/She is required to be Indian Citizen at least 18 years of age on 1st of August, 2016. An Indian citizen is defined as one who is in possession of a government approved proof of nationality such as a valid passport, voter’s id etc.
- Existing incubatee of a PRAYAS centre:-
- The company is less than 2 years old and wants to develop the prototype for a new product, for which they may have not received similar kind of support.
- Company should have no significant revenue at the time of application.
- Team of individual innovators: If the team wants to pursue the project, then there has to be an agreement among the team about the lead applicant and the lead applicant have to apply for NIDHI-PRAYAS. The financial support (after the selection process) will be given to the lead applicant on behalf of the team.
Eligibility Criteria
- An Indian individual innovator with minimum 18 years of age, without a startup or founder of a startup can apply for Prayas grant.
- The ideas and innovations should be physical product based on technology and science.
- Innovators should have technical skills or background and a roadmap towards commercialization.
- Prototype must be capable of being completed within 18 months.
For more information, visit https://startupmission.kerala.gov.in/nidhiprayaas