(a) whether NIDHI (National Institute for Development and Harnessing Innovations) has committed Rs.500 crore to implement startup India initiative by providing technology solutions and nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups; and
(b) if so, the details along with current status thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)
(a) & (b) Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology has launched NIDHI initiative (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations) in 2016. NIDHI is an umbrella programme conceived and developed for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups. The programme is in-line with the national priorities and goals and is focused on building a seamless and innovation driven entrepreneurial ecosystem especially by channelizing youth towards it and thereby bringing in the positive impact on the socio-economic development of the country. NIDHI, by design connects and strengthens all the links of the innovation chain comprising of scouting, sustaining, securing, scaling and showcasing.
There are 8 components of NIDHI that support each stage of a budding startup from idea to market. The first component, PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators & Startups), launched on 2nd September, 2016, aims to support innovators to build prototypes of their ideas by providing a grant up to Rs.10 lakh and an access to Fabrication Facility (PRAYAS-SHALA). The second component, NIDHI-Entrepreneur-In-Residence (NIDHI-EIR) provides a support up to Rs. 30,000 per month for one year to student entrepreneurs. Under other NIDHI initiatives, DST extends support for 5 years for establishing ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres (IEDCs)’ in academic institutions to encourage students to promote start-ups; NIDHI-Technology Business Incubator (TBI) to help converting innovations to start-ups; NIDHI-Accelerator for fast tracking a start-up through focused intervention; NIDHI Centres of Excellence (NIDHI-CoE) – a World class facility to help startups go global and the NIDHI - Idea scouting and scaling programs. The final component under NIDHI, the Seed Support System provides investment up to Rs.1.00 crore per start-up and is implemented through Technology Business Incubators.
The various programs under NIDHI are administered by Department of Science & Technology with support of the National Expert Advisory Committee (NEAC) on Innovation, Incubation and Technology Entrepreneurship. The committee has recommended to support proposals worth Rs.500 crore. It is recommended to establish six NIDHI- Centers of Excellence in Technology Business Incubation at a cost of Rs. 210 crore for five years, fifteen NIDHI- Technology Business Incubators at Rs. 150 crore for five years, initiate ten NIDHI- Seed Support System at incubators at a cost of Rs. 100 crore and support nine NIDHI Accelerator programs at a total cost of Rs. 12 crore. DST has also approved establishment of Research Park at Indian Institute of Technology at a cost of Rs. 90.00 crore and has released Rs. 40.00 crore as first installment.
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