National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) is an umbrella programme conceived and developed by the Innovation & Entrepreneurship division, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.
Eligible incubated startups can receive seed support of up to ₹1 crore, based on their requirements, stage of development and assessment by the Seed Support Management Committee.
Financial support can be used for proof of concept, prototype development and technology development, helping startups advance their innovations towards market readiness.
Startups can utilise the support for product trials, validation and de-risking activities to strengthen their technology and product offering.
The programme supports startups in market entry, scale-up and commercialisation of innovative technologies, products and services.
The seed support can be utilised for technology development, product development, mentoring, consultancy, IPR-related activities and other eligible startup activities.
Depending on the startup and the assessment process, support may be provided through equity, soft loan or equity-linked instruments.
The support is disbursed in accordance with agreed milestones and progress, with subsequent disbursements linked to the achievement of those milestones.
International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology – iCreate is inviting applications for incubation of slightly mature projects, to be incubated at its new Dev Dholera Campus near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The period of incubation can be up to two years, and iCreate has dedicated a budget of up to Rs 250 lakhs for this round of applications.
If you have been working on an innovative technology / software / product/ service, and have spent time talking to real consumers of your offering, and have created some minimal viable product offering, then apply. We can offer you labs and workshops to finalize your offering, help take it to live customers to make it market ready, and also to mentor you so that you can build a growth organization and start earning serious revenue.
The sole objective of the NIDHI-Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS) is to ensure timely availability of the seed support to the deserving incubatee startups within an incubator, thereby enabling them to take their venture to the next level and facilitate their success in the marketplace.
The scheme also enables the STEP/TBI to widen their pipeline of startups and also share the success of their startups which would also result in ensuring their long term operational sustainability.
The experience tells us that the normal requirement of seed support is to the tune of Rs. 25 lakhs. However, in few exceptionally deserving startups , the upper limit of seed support to a start up may be raised to Rs. 100 lakhs. A startup supported once will not be eligible for applying for subsequent rounds of seed support to any STEP/TBIs. The STEP/TBI should have examined all cases of seed support before putting the matter up to the Seed Support Management Committee for selection. After the seed support is recommended to an incubatee startup , the terms of agreement with the incubatee start up should be framed by the STEP/TB linking the progress milestones, monitoring norms, reasonable repayment, recovery provisions in case of loan and terms of equity liquidation in case of equity holding by STEP/TBI.
At iCreate, we recognise how important good mentors are to guiding, challenging, motivating startups in translating their dreams into reality. We assign each startup a mentor or a group of mentors to shape the desired outcome as per a pre-planned schedule. Seasoned and accomplished technical as well as business mentors guide all our projects with a mandate to drive the startup founders towards achieving mutually determined outcomes.
With diverse experience across industries, consulting, academia and startup incubation, Dr Saiyed is a CEO coach and mentor to startups, specialising in strategy and marketing. His areas of interest include guiding organisations in building attractive valuation, and articulation of innovations that have distinctive value propositions.
Highly experienced technology professional with 32 years of diverse expertise, holding degrees from India's renowned institutes. Vast contributions in Set Top Boxes, Web Technologies, IoT, Bluetooth, Cryptography, RFID, and more. Guided research projects on media convergence, medical sciences, and mentored successful technology startups. Expertise in software development for Clinical Trials, HR, Security, GIS, Remote Sensing, and Image Processing. Actively involved in various technology forums. Skilled in analyzing business needs, defining technical vision, and streamlining operations to deliver successful products. Continuously updating knowledge through academic and research institutions. A risk-aware consultant with deep business insights.
Dr. Praveen Desai is a seasoned and strategic professional with a wealth of knowledge in startup consulting, innovation, and company transformation. He employs a broad strategy that includes change management, pilot execution, feasibility analysis, and market research. He is an alumnus of NITK, and his keynote sessions are well-known.
Changing environment reiterating the need and importance of quick and reliable technology solutions in accordance with local needs.
