India: The Best Open Opportunities in the area of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition

Millet Start-up Innovation Challenge in India

Deadline: 31-Jan-23

The Government of India is accepting applications for Millet Start-up Innovation Challenge to encourage young minds by nurturing their creative thinking and innovative strategies in the millet sector to address the concerns and create new techniques to position millets as alternative staples across the world.

Innovation is highly encouraged in finding solutions to the problem statements in the millet sector.

Challenge Vision and Mission

• The start-up innovation challenge aims at creating innovative solutions to the existing problems in the millet sector. The start-up innovation challenge envisages strengthening the efforts of the Government of India is observing IYOM, 2023 to make it a people’s movement so that the Indian millets, recipes, and value-added products are promoted globally. To promote the research and innovation in millet processing and millet products, thus creating better products and a better market.

Thematic Areas

• The start-ups, researchers, and students providing innovative technological/ business solutions in the following areas are eligible to participate:
  • Improvements in Dehulling Efficiency and separation
    • Innovation in the technology of grain separation through size, as the size of the dehulled head grains, native grains are almost similar with an insignificant difference.
    • Bringing down the cost and improving the technology of colour sorter
    • Any other solutions to the problems stated in Dehulling Efficiency and separation
  • Improvement of shelf life of the millet-based product
    • How to hinder lipase activity?
    • Ways to control lipid oxidation?
    • Methods to Control moisture and water activity of the millet products?
    • Any Other ways and technologies to improve the shelf life of processed millets, millet flours and millet products
  • Innovative millet-based Products -Innovative packaging
    • Ways to reduce the spoilage of millet flakes?
    • How can the germ be removed from the millet grain?
    • Improvement of the textural profile of millets flakes and puffs
    • Any new, innovative product development, formulations and standardisation in millets.
    • Innovative packaging solutions to enhance the shelf life of millets and millet products.
  • Application of AI, ML, and blockchain in Millet business.

Eligibility Criteria

• Indian entrepreneurs and start-ups are eligible to submit their entries in various categories as enlisted. College students may also be considered especially who are in the field of agriculture, medicine, Agri-engineering, food, nutrition, etc as they are future entrepreneurs and are the first ones to adapt to the new age technologies and find ways to tackle the problems.

Gratification

• ‘Start-up Innovation Challenge’ Certificate by Chief Guest during the 2-day mega event.
• Training on Processing and Value addition of millets at Nutrihub IIMR.
• Win exciting cash prizes during the event.
• Complimentary pass for the 2-day mega event at HICC, Kondapur, Hyderabad.

For more information, visit Millet Start-up Innovation Challenge.

Growing and Rewarding Agripreneurship in Nutricereals Program (India)

Deadline: 25-Jan-23

The Growing and Rewarding Agripreneurship in Nutricereals Program (GRAIN) is now open for applications.

This orientation program is Seed Support Program for Growth Stage/ MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

Aims

• Accelerate the small startups.
• Translation of minimum viable product to marketable and scale-up product and business.
• The recipient should be a registered legal entity in India within minimum of two months of residency at the R-ABI.
• Selected incubatees will be provided incubation and seed stage money as 85 % grant up to a maximum of Rs 25 lakhs.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Applicant should be a registered legal entity in India.
• The Applicant has to be an Indian start up as per DPIIT (formerly DIPP-Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion ) notification. This support is not meant for Indian Subsidiaries of MNC’s/ Foreign Companies.
• This support will assist the incubates to launch their products/services/business platforms etc. into the market/attract investments from  angel/venture capitalists or taking loans from commercial banks/ financial institutions and help them to scale up their operations as well as to attain business viability at a faster pace.

For more information, visit Nutrihub.

Nutri-Cereals Entrepreneurship and Startup Training Program (India)

Deadline: 25-Jan-23

Nutrihub is seeking applications for its Nutri-Cereals Entrepreneurship and Startup Training Program (NEST).

This Orientation Program is for Idea Stage or Prototype Stage Startups.

Aims

• Nurture potential Agriprenuers, by providing training cum internship with other startups.
• Create a pipeline of Agriprenuers.
• Pursue innovative ideas and to make entrepreneurship a career option.
• Provide Stipend of Rs 10,000 per month to interns for two months by the R-ABI.
• Each selected start-up will be provided seed stage funding as 90 % grant up to maximum of Rs 5 lakhs.
• Internships with established startups for real time experience of agribusiness.

Eligibility Criteria

• Students / Youth who have an innovative idea, based on technology, service, business platforms etc. for increasing efficiency in agriculture.
• Full time entrepreneurs.
• Have an initial business plan/ proposal
• Startups who are in the market

For more information, visit Nutrihub.

Open Call for Entrepreneurship Conclave in India

Deadline: 15-Jan-23

The Entrepreneurship Development Council India is seeking applications for Entrepreneurship Conclave, an open invitation for Founders to join hands and present your idea in front of 150+ Investors.

The National Entrepreneurship Conclave is a three-day event that brings together 300 startups, 150 investors, and 50 mentors. Extraordinary thoughts, whenever supported, can make ready for glaring achievement. It’s a great opportunity to network, hire interns, raise crowdfunding, and perfect your elevator pitch. Apart from that, there will be 1 on 1 mentorship, speaker session, and Gala Night. So join them with your pitch decks and take advantage of all the benefits the Conclave has to offer.

Vision

• The National Entrepreneurship Conclave will be a powerful show of entrepreneurship in India. It will bring together the best entrepreneurs, ideas, and investors to create a thriving environment for business growth. The conclave will provide a platform for networking and exchanging best practices. It will also highlight successful practice examples and present new ideas in order to help create an ecosystem that is conducive to entrepreneurship.

Sectors

• Blockchain/ Deep Learning/ Web3
• FMCG
• Hardware
• SaaS
• FoodTech
• EduTech
• FinTech
• BioTech
• E-Commerce
• Healthcare
• Consulting
• Agriculture
• IoT
• Manufacturing
• GreenTech and Renewable Technology
• IT
• Wearable Tech
• Chemicals
• Big Data and Analysis
• Social startups
• Sector Agnostic
• Other.

Benefits

• Networking: Exclusive access to offline events across India to network with investors and startups
• One to One Mentoring: Prolonged 1 on 1 mentoring with industry experts and startup mentors
• Prize: 1 Cr worth Prize Chance to win exciting Cash prize.
  • Cash Prize : 5 lakh
  • Worth Prize : 1.5 Crore.

For more information, visit Entrepreneurship Conclave.

BIRAC announces 22nd CFPs under the Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme (India)

Deadline: 15-Feb-23

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has announced the 22nd Call for proposals under the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) Scheme.

The Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is a flagship scheme of BIRAC which recognizes and invests in innovative ideas in the biotech sector. The ideas should have clear potential to translate into commercial products/technologies.

Purpose of the BIG scheme

• BIG scheme:
  • Supports ideation to PoC
  • Nurtures entrepreneurship to enable translation of ideas into commercially viable products/ technologies to address unmet need
  • Enables Biotech Startup Ecosystem in the country to become globally Competitive.

Categories

• The project proposals can be submitted in any of the following seven categories:
  • Devices & Diagnostics
  • Drugs including drug delivery
  • Industrial Biotechnology including Secondary Agriculture
  • Agriculture
  • Biosimilars & Stem Cells
  • Vaccines
  • Bioinformatics & facilities.

Funding Information

• Under BIG scheme, BIRAC provides grant-in-aid of upto INR 50 lakhs (approx USD 75,000).
• Duration: The funding is provided for a period of up to 18 months. The project is implemented in a milestone based manner.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individual:
  • The individual applicant should be an Indian citizen.
  • The primary applicant should be the Project Leader.
  • The applicant has to be incubated in an incubator (Incubator could be located anywhere in the country and may/may not be supported by BIRAC). At the time of application, the applicant is expected to have identified preferred incubator. LoI/MoU with the incubator is required for final approval.
  • If the applicant is formally employed (or registered as a student) with an academic or research organization, then
  • The applicant has to produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from competent authority of the organization clearly indicating that the organization has policies in place to allow the applicant while in service/ on sabbatical/on Extraordinary Leave:
    • Accept funding support (if successful) as an individual,
    • Manage the funds through a separate no-lien account in individual capacity
    • Undertake BIG project in an incubator
    • To create an enterprise.
  • Alternatively, the applicant needs to provide an undertaking that he/she plans to terminate his/her association with the current employer and take up the project full time in the event of grant approval. A resignation/ relieving/ retirement letter will be needed as supporting document before final approval and release of the grant.
  • If the applicant is formally employed with a forprofit company/LLP,
  • The applicant needs to provide an undertaking that he/she plans to terminate his/her association with the current employer and take up the project full time in the event of a grant approval (A resignation/ relieving/retirement letter will be needed as supporting document before final approval and release of the grant.), or,
  • Alternatively, the application should be submitted under Company/LLP category.
  • Individual who is a promoter shareholder of a Biotech company or one of the partners in a Biotech LLP will not be allowed to apply as an individual, irrespective of the percentage of shareholding of the applicant in the company. (In such a case, the application can be submitted through company/LLP route, in case the company/LLP meets the required eligibility criteria.
• Company/LLP:
  • The Company/LLP should be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956/2013.
  • The incorporation date of the Company/LLP should not be earlier than 5 years from the date of closing of a particular BIG call.
  • A company is considered as ‘owned’ by resident Indian citizen(s) if minimum 51% of the capital is beneficially owned by resident Indian citizen(s) and / or Indian companies, which are ultimately owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.
  • Company/LLP’s application should be represented by a Project Leader.
  • The Company/LLP must have its own in-house R&D facility that is functional and adequate to execute the project. If the Company/LLP does not have a functional and adequate laboratory of its own then it should be incubated at an incubator (This shall be verified and confirmed by BIG Partner ),
  • If an applicant company, in which any promoter holding more than or equal to 20% of the shares, is a co-promoter of another ineligible company or a partner in another ineligible LLP, then the applicant will not be eligible. The only exception to this shall be situation wherein the latter ineligible company/LLP is operating in non-biotech domain. In case applicant is a LLP: An applicant LLP, in which any of the partners is also a partner in another ineligible LLP or is a co-promoter in another ineligible company, then the applicant will not be eligible. The only exception to this shall be situation wherein the latter ineligible LLP/company is operating in non-biotech domain.

For more information, visit BIG.

ATL Marathon 2022-23: Atal Innovation Mission Call for Applications in India

Deadline: 28-Feb-23

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog opened applications for ‘ATL Marathon 2022-23’- a flagship innovation challenge under AIM’s Atal Tinkering Labs program.

ATL Marathon is a national level innovation challenge for young innovators across India who can solve community problems of their choice, develop innovative solutions in the form of working prototypes or, minimum viable product (MVP).

The idea is to create a huge opportunity for students to innovate not just for the better India but for the world by resolving global problems in various sectors. It is going to be a watershed moment for India and a unique opportunity for students to solve local and global problems.

This year, students have the option of submitting projects in areas apart from the specified themes. Students will be able to solve local community problems different from the problem statements given.

Thematical Focus

• This year’s ATL Marathon is going to be bigger and grander. The theme for this edition of ATL Marathon is “India’s G20 Presidency”. India will assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022. G20 is an intergovernmental forum of world’s major developed and developing nations accounting for 85 per cent of the global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade, and two-thirds of the world population.

Problem Statement Sectors

• Education
  • Innovate to ensure access to education for all
  • Innovate to help children with special needs learn effectively
• Health
  • Innovate solutions for patients suffering from the most common diseases in India.
  • Build solutions to find new ways to address health and nutrition challenges (malnutrition, obesity etc.)
• Agriculture
  • Design solutions to increase agricultural yield in India
  • Design solutions to position millets as alternative staples globally
  • Environment & Climate Sustainability
  • Innovate to find ways to reduce carbon emissions in industries
  • Build solutions to make every citizen in India adopt environment-conscious lifestyle( LiFE movement )
• Development
  • Design a solution to improve public transportation in India
  • Design a solution to improve the drinking water and sanitation problem in India
• Digital Economy
  • Build solutions for the Digital India Movement across different sectors
  • Design solutions to improve digital governance
• Tourism
  • Design solutions to boost the tourism industry in India
  • Build a solution for sustainable development in popular tourist locations preserving the natural and ecological heritage of the region
• Others (Identify your own problem statement and innovate for it)
  • This year, they have a unique theme to incorporate all special ideas and innovations.

What’s new this year?

• ATL Marathon 2022-23 is available in Hindi too. Now, you can get all details about ATL Marathon in English & Hindi and submit your entries in both languages
• India @G20 – India will assume the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022. The themes of this year’s ATL marathon are adopted from the working groups and committees of G20.
• This year, students have the option of submitting projects in areas apart from the specified themes. Students will be able to solve local community problems different from the problem statements given.

Award Information

• Top 350 teams – Student Internship Programme (SIP)
• Top 50 teams – Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP)
• Special Certificates –
  • Top 10 teams from each state
  • Top 10 teams from rural areas
  • Top 10 teams from government schools
  • Top 10 teams from Aspirational Districts
  • Top 10 teams including Children with special needs

Eligibility Criteria

• The ATL Marathon 2022-23 is for Indian students currently enrolled in school (Class VI to Class XII) both from ATL and non-ATL schools, in case your entry is selected as a finalist, the team members may be asked to provide proof in the form of a photo of your school ID-card or any other form as deemed appropriate by AIM, NITI Aayog.
• Failure to do so may result in your entry being disqualified.
• There is no limit on how many teams from a school can participate.
• The online application form submission will include: Research Document 3-minute Video (capturing details of their working prototype/solution) ATL In-Charge, School Teachers, Mentors of Change, Alumni and external mentors from the local ATL ecosystem may support the student teams.
• Kindly note individual member entry is not allowed. Also, if the team size exceeds the 3- member limit, the entry/ submission will be immediately disqualified.
• Each Team shall consist of a maximum of 3 students (class 6th to 12th) and one ATL in-charge/ School Teacher (must be an employee of the ATL School).
• They encourage ATL schools to also include other school and/or community students within the Team Composition.
• Kindly note individual member entry is not allowed. Also, if the team size exceeds the 3- member limit, the entry/ submission will be immediately disqualified.
• Top 350 Teams will get Internships through the Student Innovator Program with leading corporates of India, certificates from AIM, NITI Aayog and many more interesting opportunities at the conclusion of the Marathon.
• Top teams from SIP will participate in the Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) All participating students and teachers will get a Certificate of Participation from AIM, NITI Aayog.

For more information, visit AIM.

ABHINAV 5.0: Pre Seed Agriprenurship Orientation Program in India

Deadline: 25-Jan-23

Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) Raftaar Agribusiness Incubator (R-ABI), Raipur invites applications for the Abhinav 5.0 (Pre Seed Agriprenurship Orientation Program).

Abhinav is an Agripreneurship Orientation Program (AOP) of IGKV R-ABI, Raipur under the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme.

It is aimed at providing an opportunity for students/youth to work on their innovative ideas on technological solutions/processes/products/services/ business platforms etc. in agriculture and allied activities.

The incubatees will be given two months (60 hours) of training cum hands-on internship at IGKV R-ABI, Raipur through virtual/residential mode. They will be offered incubation space, technology support, business mentoring, networks, and scientific and information resources and provide an active program for the identification, creation, acceleration, and translation of business ideas suitable for new venture creation.

Funding Information

• A stipend of Rs. 10,000/- per month will be granted under the project to these interns for two months during the hands on training period. After successful completion of the two months orientation programme, the R-ABI IGKV will facilitate incorporation of entities for all viable business ideas by the intems.
• Selected interns will be eligible to apply for Idea/Pre-Seed Stage funding of grant in aid upto Rs. 5 lakhs per startup for converting his/her innovative idea into prototype/product. The selected intems will register his/her company before the release of the grant as per DIPP notification to get Grant in aid.
• 8 Week Workshop
• Mentorship from Expert
• Modern Research Laboratories
• The RIC will not be bound to give any reason in case an application for pre seed loan is rejected.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant should be a resident of Chhattisgarh/a resident of neighboring states of Chhaffisgarh/will be setting up the project in Chhattisgarh, if incubated with IGKV R-ABI, Raipur.
• The recipient should propose one innovative idea based on technology, service, business platforms etc. for increasing efficiency in agriculture and allied sector.
• The recipients are expected to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations full time.
• The recipient should have an innovative initial business plan/proposal for the idea they intend to pursue.
• After successful completion of the initial two months of AOP, interns will qualify to submit application for receiving Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding.
• The selected intern should be registered for the incubation programme at the R-ABI IGKV for the entire duration of Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding.
• The selected intern shall register his/her company before the release of grant or he/she has to be an Indian start-up as per DIPP notification.

For more information, visit IGKV R-ABI.

Incubation Program in India: Calling All Early-stage Woman Social Entrepreneurs

Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity

Are you solving important problems in innovative and impactful ways? Are you looking for incubation support to build and scale your organisation? If you are an early-stage Woman entrepreneur – founder of a Social Enterprise, UnLtd India has opened applications for its Feb’23 cohort to support Women Social Entrepreneurs under its incubation program.

Objectives

• UnLtd India’s Theory of Change is that social entrepreneurs will sustain and scale if they get an enabling ecosystem in their early stages. Through their 9 months  Incubation Program, they provide their social entrepreneurs an opportunity to enhance their knowledge.  The program is designed to focus on the following aspects:
  • Validate beneficiary-solution fit, quantify value proposition
  • Build  business model and plan, including budgeting and costing
  • Hone leadership and entrepreneurial skills
  • Leverage a growing network of investors, experts and peers
• Thus, helping lay the foundation for a Sustainable & Scalable Social Impact organisation.

Focus Areas

• The February 2023 Cohort will focus on supporting innovative solutions in:
  • Agri and Allied
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Gender Equality
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Inclusive Development
  • Livelihoods
  • Others

Program Structure

• Their 9 months program includes
  • Site visit to deepen the understanding of the Founder(s), their work and impact.
  • Intense engagement of webinars, workshops and learning insights (self-work) and One to one coaching towards developing the entrepreneurial ability to support the build and scale of their organisations.
  • Workshops and one to one consultations by Experts on
  • Monitoring & Evaluation Framework / Impact
  • Storytelling / Marketing Comms / Social Media
  • Finance, Compliance
  • Leadership Development
  • Investor pitches
  • Relevant connections to Investors, Service Providers, sector experts, UI Alumni, Mentors, Peers.

What can you expect from the program?

• They personalize their 9 months Incubation Program to each Social Entrepreneur, as each idea is unique and every entrepreneur is on a different growth trajectory.
• Their Program provides one-on-one coaching, workshop based learning, access to experts, mentors, investors and opportunities for peer learning. This contributes towards their core objective of helping social entrepreneurs with establishing the foundation for a sustainable and scalable Social Enterprise.

Eligibility Criteria

• February 2023 cohort is for Women Founders, CoFounders in a lead role only.
• UnLtd India is  open to any solution  that solves a pressing socio-economic issue in India. For their February 2023 cohort , they are looking for a pan-India cohort of early-stage Social Enterprises. The founders / cofounders of these enterprises need to be committed to solving important social problems in creative and impactful ways.
• You are a Women Founder, CoFounder of a Social Enterprise, committed to growing your organisation for social change.
• In case the organisation has both male and female co-founders, only female co-founder (in a key decision making role) is eligible to apply and be part of the program (if selected)
• You need to be an Indian Citizen above 18 years of age.
• You need to be the Founder/Co-Founder of a Social Enterprise, registered on or after 1st January 2018. The organisation should be legally registered as any one of the following:
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
  • Private Limited (Pvt Ltd)
  • One Person Company (OPC)
  • Sole Proprietorship
  • Partnership
• You must be working full-time or if part-time, upwards of 3 days a week. If part time currently, you need to have a plan for becoming full time within the year.
• The Social Enterprise you are applying for must be at an early stage of Prototyping / Developing a Minimum Viable Product / Piloting the product or solution.
• Your organisation should have a strong focus on measurable social impact.

Selection Criteria

• While selecting social entrepreneurs, they look for four key:
  • Individual
    • They look for individuals who are motivated by a social problem, are committed to solving it in the long term, exhibit entrepreneurial characteristics, demonstrate leadership qualities, have an unwavering commitment to create social change and the ability to garner resources to support their work.
  • Innovative Idea
    • They look for innovative ideas that are focused solutions to fit specific social problems, address an unmet need or under-served sections of society.
  • Investability & Impact
    • They look for ideas that have the potential to create long-term and sustained impact within their communities, at a city/state level and at scale, the business model is profitable, the solution is scalable with external investment and is unique in comparison to the competition.
  • Incubation
    • They look for individuals who are open to feedback, can gain from their incubation support and can give time-commitment to engage in the intensive program.

For more information, visit UnLtd India.