About Version 1 Programme

VIKAS-RABI is launching its VIKAS Ver.1 program for interested ideation stage entrepreneurs/Startups with innovative idea or any uncommercialized ICAR/SAUs/CSIR Technology on Agri-Biotech, Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Agriculture/Organic farming, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fishery, Agri-Input tools and technologies, Micro Irrigation, Farm Mechanization and Agri Engineering, Precision Farming, Harvesting and Post-Harvest Processing, Food Processing; Supply Chain Management, Farm Retailing, Agri Extension Education, Internet of Things (IoT) , ICT and Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, Waste to Wealth, Secondary Agriculture, Agri Clinics & Farm Health services, etc.

VIKAS Ver.1 aims to develop and accelerate Agri-startups under three stage process of incubation under VIKAS-RABI incubator.

Agripreneur Orientation

The VIKAS-RABI shall execute an agripreneurship orientation program. This program aims at providing an opportunity to interested ideation stage entrepreneurs/Startups to work on their innovative ideas by imparting one month training cum hands on internship with similar Startups. Guided by experienced and innovative startups, they will be able to understand business concepts/nuances, strategy and practical insights of specific industries or markets, challenges and strategies to resolve them A stipend of Rs 10,000/- per month will be granted to these interns for one month during the hands on training period. The key aspects and benefits of this phase will have a significant focus on:

• On campus mentoring by industry experts
• Classroom sessions on intellectual property (IP), contracts, technical sessions
• Design Thinking workshops
• Product Design & Market Assessment
• Business Plan Preparation

Eligibility Criteria

• The recipient should propose one innovative idea based on technology, service, business platforms etc. for increasing efficiency in agriculture and allied sector.
• The recipients are expected to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations full time.
• The recipient should have an initial business plan/ proposal for the idea they intend to pursue.
• Agripreneurs with registered startups should give self declaration on have any grant received for the same idea/product development.
• Agripreneurs should not be incubated at any other incubation facility.

Selection Process of Interns for Agri preneurship Orientation

• The VIKAS-ABI will announce the program at the state/local level with prescribed application format.
• All applicants for this program will apply as per the prescribed format through website.
• The selection of agripreneurs that have an innovative idea based on technology, service, business platforms etc. and interest in pursuing their entrepreneurial aspirations full time, shall be done by the committee of VIKAS-RABI.
• Under this component, the VIKAS-RABI will select a batch of 30 Agripreneurs that have a workable innovative idea.

Agripreneur Pre-Seed Stage Grant-in-Aid

Under this stage, only selected Agripreneurs among batch of 30 from Orientation Program will be allowed to take benefit of Pre-Seed Stage Grant-in-Aid of Rs.5 lakhs. Pre-Seed Stage Grant in Aid has been designed to make risk free attempt to the Agriprenur to convert his idea based on technology, service, business platforms etc. into prototype/ product, services/ platforms etc. and launching of a business based on that. This grant is very crucial for an entrepreneur where he has to lunch his product in to market. Many Agriprenurs ideas are killed at this stage, while this grant will help agripreneurs to initiate their journey into the entrepreneurial world with incubation support of VIKAS-RABI of experts and technical persons. This stage needs greater amount of dedication and involvement from the agripreneur.

Eligibility Criteria for Incubated Youths/Startups

• After successful completion of the initial one month of the agripreneurship orientation program, interns will qualify for getting Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding.
• The recipient should be registered for the incubation program at the R- ABI for the entire duration of Idea/ Pre-Seed Stage Funding.
• The recipient will register his/her company before the release of the grant or he/she has to be an Indian start-up as per DIPP notification.
• Startups receiving grant/financial support from any source will not be eligible under I2B-Agripreneur 2019 Program under VIKAS-RABI Incubator.

Selection Process of Startups for Idea/ Pre-Seed Stage Funding

• After successful completion of the initial one month of the agripreneurship orientation programme, the interested interns will make a presentation before VIKAS-RABI Committee. The Committee will evaluate interns on the basis of progress made on their innovative idea in the one month of agripreneurship orientation programme and recommend the interns for their final evaluation to RKVY- RAFTAAR Selection & Monitoring Committee (RC).The RC will evaluate and recommend the interns for Idea Stage Funding.
• On the recommendation of RC, the first installment of the grant-in-aid will be released by the Nodal Division to incubate through the respective VIKAS-RABI.
• The VIKAS-RABI would execute a legal agreement with the incubate who is selected for the seed support and this agreement should be signed before the release of the first installment of seed fund to the Incubates. The terms of agreement with the incubate startup should be framed by the VIKAS-RABI linking the progress milestones, monitoring norms etc.

Benefits derived by the incubate under this stage are as follows:

• Incubation space to selected incubates for product development
• Mentoring support for Product development
• Market liasoning support and Trademark registration
• Business plan validation
• Startup India Registration

Seed stage Grant-in-Aid

This seed stage funding will be available to incubatees who are incubated at the VIKAS-ABI. Under this, financial assistance of a maximum of Rs. 25 lakhs will be granted to potential startups that have a minimum viable product (MVP) based on innovative solutions/ processes / products/ services/ business models in agriculture and allied sector. The amount of Rs. 25 lakh is the upper limit of the seed fund assistance. The applicant incubatees would be provided funds as per their genuine requirements and as per appraisal/evaluation of their business plans by the RC and the decision of the RC in this regard will be final. The RC will not be bound to give any reason in case an application is rejected. This support will assist the incubatees to launch their products/ services/ business platforms etc. into the market and help them to scale up their operations as well as to attain business viability at a faster pace. This support will also facilitate them to attract investments from angel/venture capitalists or taking loans from commercial banks /financial institutions for further scaling-up of their business operations.

Eligibility Criteria

• All incubatees of VIKAS-RABI will be eligible for this funding on the basis of consistent performance evaluated by committee.
• The recipient should be a registered legal entity in India with a minimum of one month of residency at the VIKAS-RABI.
• The recipient has to be an Indian start-up as per DIPP notification. This support is not meant for Indian Subsidiaries of MNCs/foreign companies.
• A startup supported once will not be eligible for applying for the subsequent round of seed support to any VIKAS-RABIs.

Selection Process of Incubatee for Seed Stage Funding

• During the selection process, VIKAS-RABI will take into consideration any other grant-in-aid funding received by the incubatee for the same activity/product from other GOI ministries. A self-declaration from the incubatee about such funding will be mandatory.
• After one month of residency of incubatees, VIKAS-RABI Committee will evaluate the progress of the incubatee and based on their performance recommend them for seed stage funding to RC.

Benefits derived by the incubate under this stage are as follows:

• INR 25 Lakhs 'Grant in Aid ' Funding through the program
• 2-3 Focused mentor group for every startup
• Dedicated scientists, research professionals
• Lab & Infrastructure support
• Market linkages through Internal and external initiatives
• Showcase opportunities across partner events & activities
• Term sheet document & Detailed business plan development
• Investor interaction sessions & Demo day