Kolkata, 12th July, 2022: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is a premier S&T organization under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) engaged in promoting IT/ITES Industry, innovation, R&D, start-ups, product/IP creation in the field of emerging technologies like IoT, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Computer Vision, Robotics, Robotics Process Automation (RPA), Augmented & Virtual Reality, Animation & Visual effect, Data Science & Analytics for various domains like Gaming, FinTech, Agritech, MedTech, Autonomous Connected Electric & Shared (ACES) Mobility, ESDM, Cyber Security, Industry 4.0, Drone, Efficiency Augmentation, etc.
STPI is establishing Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs)/Technology incubators for building India’s leadership in the above mentioned technology areas across the country in a collaborative manner.
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Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) is STPI’s comprehensive incubation scheme which has a vision to drive the rise of India as a Software Product Nation so as to make India a global player in development, production and supply of Innovative, Efficient and Secure Software Products, thus facilitating the growth across the entire spectrum of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector as envisioned in the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) – 2019.
NextGen Start-up Challenge Contest – Challenge Hunt Under NGIS for Advanced Uninhibited Technology Intervention (CHUNAUTI) is a series of online Challenges under NGIS. STPI has been strengthening the start-up ecosystem, through policies, initiatives, and creation of a 360-degree ecosystem. In the current digital era where technology adoption has been high in the urban, educated and high to mid-income group population, the rural, less formally educated and low-income group population is still in the digital inaccessibility group. For social empowerment around Tier II and III cities therefore the need is for hyper-localized digital products/solution. Accordingly, to boost the localized innovations from Tier II & III cities, through NGIS, the CHUNAUTI Contest of STPI is looking to identify and support promising start-ups working towards Digital India enabling Social Empowerment with focus on sectors like Agriculture, Education, Healthcare & Wellness, Banking & Finance, E-commerce, and Environment etc. The selected start-ups would be given physical infrastructure, funding assistance, access to networks, connects, learning and resources that are needed to build a scalable, profitable and global business.
Who can apply?
The eligibility criteria for a start-up to apply in the CHUNAUTI CONTEST shall be as follows:
· The challenge invites the proposals/applications from Indian Start-ups# who are working in domains related to software product development.
· Start-ups registered with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Start-Up India programme are encouraged to participate.
· Individual Academicians, Researchers, Educators, Entrepreneurs, partnership firms, limited liability partnerships (LLPs) may also participate, however, if they are selected then they will have to register as private limited companies in a stipulated time (preferably within 3 months).
At least 51% shareholding will be with citizens or persons of Indian origin. The applicant’s entity should not be a subsidiary company of any foreign corporation.
Note: The Start-ups submitting the proposals/applications can be in any of the following stages.
Ideation Stage Start-up: An individual or team of individuals has an innovative product idea and wish to focus on developing that idea into a business.
Validation Stage Start-up: A validated proof-of-concept exists in a way that the prototype is anticipated to be ready in the foreseeable future. Alternatively, the prototype is ready and awaiting testing and validation.
Early Traction Start-up: The product has been validated and the start-up needs support in establishing itself as a business.
Scaling Stage Start-up: The start-up has initial revenue from customers and needs support in scaling its business & product portfolio.
Digital India Enabling Social Empowerment:
Digital Products/Solutions to create new — or modify existing — business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements.
Digital Products/Solutions to enable & enhance everyone to access to digital technologies to achieve digital equity.
Digital Products/Solutions which help in changing the nation into a digitally enabled society and learning economy.
Digital Products/Solutions to catalyze inclusion of larger populace under Govt. Schemes/Programs & Benefits (e.g., flagship pension, insurance schemes, etc.).
Digital Products/Solutions for unique local level problems in particular sectors/domains like aquaculture, agriculture, skill, education etc. which leads to social empowerment.
Digital Products/Solutions to improve health for everyone, everywhere by accelerating the development and adoption of appropriate, accessible, affordable, scalable and sustainable person-centric digital health solutions to prevent, detect and respond to epidemics and pandemics
Other assistive technology solutions addressing a pressing need not covered above.
Key Focus Sector
Start-ups having innovative Idea/Product/Solution focused including but not limited to the following:
solutionsAgriculture
Healthcare & Wellness
Education & Skill Enhancement
Financial Services
E-Governance Solutions – last mile online delivery of services to citizenry.
Tourism & Hospitality
Cyber Security
Supply Chain & Logistics
Offerings
Ready to work Plug-n-Play incubation space along with highspeed internet access within the constraint of lockdown & thereafter.
Networking opportunities/Industry connect and Go-to market support for exhibiting/showcasing products/solutions through various National/International events/workshops/exhibitions.
Full-fledged security & vulnerability testing of Software Products through the dedicated Software Product Security Testing (SPST) facility.
Access to VCs for funding support.
Advisory Services such as HR, Legal, Accounting, IPR/Patenting and other support services.
Facilities and services including mentoring, networking/industry connects, marketing support, etc. of the pan-India domain specific CoEs of STPI may be leveraged.
Mentor, experts, industry network of STPI and MSH.
Financial Incentives/Funding Support
A seed funding of up to Rs. 25.00 Lakhs will be provided through Financial Institution to each beneficiary/supported Start-ups selected through CHUNAUTI under NGIS based on innovative idea, novel solutions, strong team & sound business proposal.
Disbursal of seed fund to Start-ups will be based on milestones achieved, periodic review and recommendations.
Seed funding to Start-ups will be against equity participation by STPI or its affiliate.
Start-ups who are in ideation stage may be selected under pre-incubation programme & mentored for up to six months to evolve their business plan & solution around the proposed idea. Each intern (max 3 interns per start-up under pre-incubation) will be paid Rs. 10,000/- per month for a period of up to 6 months.
Cloud Credits from leading third-party service providers.
Screening, Evaluation & Selection
Designated Committee(s) shall be formed for Screening, Evaluation & Selection.
All the applications received shall be subject to a rigorous multi-tier screening process with involvement of appropriate experts from respective domain and/or location as deemed fit.
Decisions of the designated Committee(s) shall be final & binding on all.
Organized by:
STPINEXT INITIATIVES on behalf of STPI
Stakeholders:
MeitY
STPI
MSH
STPINEXT INITIATIVES
Application Submission– End Date
01st August 2022
Evaluation, Shortlisting & Selection
22nd August 2022
Consolidation of information & announcement of result
23rd August 2022
Note: Changes in dates, if any, shall be made public on all relevant portals and social media channels well in advance.
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