Hardware innovations with growth potential to get NIDHI PRAYAS grant
The Kerala Start Up Mission has invited applications for DST-NIDHI PRAYAS pre-incubation of innovative ideas in hardware
Innovations in the hardware and electronic segment ideas that have the potential of transforming themselves into proof of concept are set to be offered the support they deserve by way of a pre-incubation initiative.
Ideas that prove to be innovative and have the potential of growing big are the ones that are being sought by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
The KSUM has invited applications for the Department of Science and Technology-NIDHI PRAYAS (PRomoting and Accelerating Young and ASpiring technology entrepreneurs) pre-incubation.
Hardware innovators should be able to complete prototype in 1-1/2 years
As per the norms listed down, the applicants’ ideas and innovations should be physical products based on technology and science. Innovators should have technical skills or background and a roadmap towards commercialization. They should be capable of completing the prototype within one-and-a-half years, the KSUM said.
Applications can be sent in till January 10, 2022 at the KSUM NIDHI PRAYAS website. A KSUM source added that the shortlist will be announced on January 25 and the PRAYAS Pitch Week will be held in the second week of February. Only Indian individual innovators with a minimum age of 18 years will be able to apply.
Going by the PRAYAS (PRomoting and Accelerating Young and ASpiring technology entrepreneurs) guidelines, it aims at providing a platform for young innovators to generate solutions for relevant local and social problems. The program will also promote a vibrant innovation ecosystem by establishing a network between innovators, academia, mentors and incubators by catalysing the process of commercialization for innovator.
Grant of up to Rs 10 lakh to be provided
PRAYAS will provide the selected start-ups a grant of up to Rs 10 lakh to convert innovative ideas into prototypes within a period of 18 months. Further, it would also offer shared or co-working spaces for developing ideas into prototypes, and also access to infrastructure and prototype building facility. It will also support the development of ideas from early to commercial stage and mentorship from experienced industry experts.
The initiative is being implemented by the Program Management Units at recognised PRAYAS centres. Kerala Start Up Mission (KSUM), which is the nodal agency of the Kerala government for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state, is one of the recognised PRAYAS centre in the south.
