Deadline: 30 April 2025
The Open Challenge Program (OCP) for IoT in Agriculture at the Guwahati Center of Excellence (CoE) is inviting applications from startups and entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions in the field of agricultural technology.
Aims
- The initiative aims to recognize, support, and accelerate early-stage tech entrepreneurs by providing strategic networking, seed funding, mentorship, training, marketing assistance, patent facilitation, and access to state-of-the-art incubation facilities and tools.
Objectives
- The primary objectives of the IoT in Agriculture CoE are:
- To incubate startups focusing on IoT solutions in the agricultural sector.
- To create a strong ecosystem that supports agritech startups with mentorship, funding, and technical support.
- To develop innovative solutions that address core agricultural challenges in the region.
- To enhance productivity and efficiency in agriculture through smart IoT applications.
- To foster a culture of innovation and technology adoption among students and professionals in the agricultural domain.
Focus Areas
- The program specifically targets IoT-driven solutions in agriculture, including but not limited to:
- Smart farming solutions
- Precision agriculture
- Automated irrigation systems
- Sensor-based soil and crop monitoring
- AI-driven agricultural analytics
- Drone technology for farming
Benefits
- Selected startups will benefit from:
- Incubation Space: A dedicated facility in Guwahati with cutting-edge infrastructure.
- Technical & Financial Support: Access to IoT tools, seed funding, and financial assistance.
- Mentoring & Training: Guidance from industry experts and domain-specific training programs.
- Market & Business Support: Assistance in marketing, networking, and business development.
- IPR & Legal Assistance: Support in patenting, intellectual property rights, and legal matters.
Target Beneficiaries
- Over a period of five years, the program aims to support 367 startups, with a significant number focusing on IoT in agriculture.
Location
- The IoT in Agriculture CoE is based in Guwahati, Assam, and is dedicated to fostering technological advancements in the agricultural sector.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be incorporated as a Private Limited Company (as per the Companies Act, 2013), a Registered Partnership Firm (under the Partnership Act, 1932), or a Limited Liability Partnership (under the LLP Act, 2008).
- Have been registered/incorporated within the last 10 years.
- If not yet registered, applicants must ensure company registration within three months of selection.
- Have an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 100 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
- Should not have been formed by splitting or restructuring an existing business.
- Must be working towards innovation, development, or improvement of agritech products, services, or processes with the potential to create employment and generate wealth.
For more information, visit STPI.
