Scheme For Assistance For Start Ups/ Innovation

The key objective of the Gujarat Industrial policy 2020 is to encourage R&D and start innovation and entrepreneurship. Hence, the new scheme is being introduced in order to support startups and innovation at different levels of the startup cycle. In view of the strategy under Gujarat Industrial Policy, the Government is pleased to introduce a "Scheme for Assistance for Startups / Innovation" which will come into force from 07/08/2020 and will remain in operation for a period of 5 years, i.e. upto 06.08.2025.

The scheme aims to give a further thrust to promoting startups and strengthening the ecosystem in the state, a task force comprised of leading stakeholders in the Gujarat startup ecosystem. Gujarat, owing to its inherent strength of widespread entrepreneurial spirit has gained a significant spot in the national startup ecosystem. The incentives to Startups under the Gujarat Industrial Policy 2015 have supported in the creation of a strong network of nodal institutions and several startups have expanded their operations/ products both at the national and international levels.

For Startups:

1. Any individual/group of individuals having an innovative idea/concept and recommended by an approved Nodal Institution will be eligible to get recognized as a startup under this scheme.
2. The innovative project can be from any sector or any faculty/branch of science/ technology/ engineering/ agriculture/ healthcare and no innovation worth its name is restricted from availing assistance just because of its being in a particular sector, making this a sector agnostic scheme.

Note 1: An entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business shall not be considered a 'Startup'.
Note 2: The startups which are availing incentives as a 'startup' in any other 'startup scheme' of the Government of Gujarat will not get incentives under this scheme. However, the startups/innovators availing benefits under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP) would also be eligible to avail of assistance under this scheme.

For Nodal Institution:

1. Any University, Government approved/ affiliated/ recognized educational institution, Incubation center, PSU, R&D Institutions, private and other establishments operating in Gujarat.
2. The institution should be registered under the Companies Act-2013, rule of Section 8, as a 'non-profit making company'.
3. The institution should have separate spaces and engage full-time employees for the purpose.

For Mentor:

1. The mentor means a resource person who is registered under this scheme and associated/recommended by the Nodal Institution.

Component: Assistance for Seed Support

1. Pitch presentation with the following details:

• Problem statement
• Objective for the startup or innovation
• Description of product/ service
• How does it work?
• USP/Uniqueness of the product/service
• Target market and customers
• Competition analysis – key competitors, the advantage of product/ service over competition, etc.
• Detailed project cost breakup
• Tentative action plan for the next 3-5 years
• Revenue projections for the next 3-5 years

1. Evaluation matrix by Nodal Institution

2. Recommendation form by Nodal Institution (revised format is attached for reference)

The following non-mandatory documents are desirable to be attached to the application form:

1. Technical feasibility/ product testing report/certification (if any)

2. Financial feasibility report/certification (if any)

**Component: **Assistance for Skill Development

1. Informative document of the training program (brochure, leaflet, a letter from the host organization, etc.)

2. Receipt of fees paid for participating in the training program

3. Certificate of completion of the training program, clearly indicating the name of the participants (founder/co-founders of startup)

**Component: **Acceleration Program

1. Informative document of the acceleration program (brochure, leaflet, a letter from the host organization, etc.)

2. Details of fees to be paid for participating in the acceleration program – preferably on the letterhead of the host organization

3. Feedback report (as per the format attached) within 1 month after attending the acceleration program. Please attach the following mandatory documents along with the feedback report:

4. Receipt of fees paid for enrolling and participating in the acceleration program

5. Certificate of participation (clearly indicating the name of the startup/ each participant)

**Component: **Assistance to startups having a significant impact on Society

1. Pitch presentation with the following details:

• Social issue that a startup intends to address
• Mission of the startup
• Vision of the startup
• Description of product/ service
• How does it work?
• Tentative action plan for the next 3-5 years
• Details of the stakeholders who benefited from the social impact generated by the startup
• Describe the measurable social impact generated by the startup. You must support it with photographs, interviews/testimonials of stakeholders/beneficiaries, recognitions or achievements, etc.
• Describe the non-measurable social impact generated by the startup. You must support it with photographs, interviews/testimonials of stakeholders/beneficiaries, recognitions or achievements, etc.

1. Evaluation matrix by Nodal Institution

2. Recommendation form by Nodal Institution (format is attached for reference)