The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Thiruvananthapuram is seeking applications for its CHUNAUTI 4.0 program under Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS).
NextGen Start-up Challenge Contest (CHUNAUTI – Challenge Hunt Under NGIS for Advanced Uninhibited Technology Intervention) is a series of online Challenges under NGIS.
Focus Areas
Startups having innovative Idea/Product/Solution focused including but not limited to the following:
Agriculture
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
Idea/ Product/ Solution Focus
Products/Solutions for Advancing in Agriculture, Healthcare and Education
Digital Inclusion:
Digital Products/Solutions to enable & enhance technology adoption by general populace beyond the constraints of language barriers, digital literacy, digital resources etc.
Digital Products/Solutions to catalyse inclusion of larger populace under Govt. Schemes/Programs & Benefits (e.g., flagship pension, insurance schemes, etc.).
Digital Products/Solutions for providing access to quality content using innovative techniques in education, healthcare etc. to larger populace.
Digital Products/Solutions for unique local level problems in particular sectors/domains like aquaculture, agriculture, skill etc for benefit of those sectors/domains.
Other assistive technology solution addressing a pressing need not covered above.
Incentives
A seed funding of upto 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 selectedunder pre-incubation programme& mentored for upto 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 upto 6 months.
Cloud Credits from leading third-party service providers.
Duration
Duration of NGIS is 3 years.
Selected individual beneficiary start-up can avail benefits of NGIS in three phases of Nurture, Develop & market extended over 2 years.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for a start-up to apply in the CHUNAUTI 4.0 program shall be as follows:
The challenge invites the proposals/applications from Indian Start-ups# who are working in domain related to software product development.
Start-ups registered with DPIIT under start-up India programme are encouraged to participate in this programme.
Individual Academicians, Researchers, Educators, Entrepreneurs, partnership firms, LLPs may also participate, however, if they are selected then they will have to register as private limited company in a stipulated time (preferably within 3 months).
At least 51% shareholding with Indian citizen or person 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.
