Call for Applications: The Envalior Sustainability Innovation Program (India)

The grant program aims to validate the technology/product by supporting development of prototypes/pilot studies/field trials. The coverage of supporting minimum viable products focuses on ways to support implementation of technologies, testing products according to societal needs, and getting to a market quickly. The program will also focus on building a strong network of peers with expertise and the duration will be 6 months.

Objectives

• Nurture and support technology ideas and innovators by providing grant funding support to the innovator and his/her team at different levels of funding such as:
  • Technology Advancement Grant (TAG): Grant funding to refine and enhance an early prototype, explore potential markets, assess commercial viability of the specific applications, secure necessary approvals/certifications etc. with the goal of attracting investors for a startup company or licensors for the technology.
  • Pilot grants: Pilot/demonstration funding to help entrepreneurs build a stronger case for the technical and commercial feasibility of the technology area.
  • Create a powerful network of mentors, investors and other service partners to support and promote the growth of entrepreneurs.

Areas of Focus

• Clean Energy
• Climate action
• Green & sustainable mobility
• Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)
• Circular economy

Funding Information

• Maximum grant support will be Rs 5 lakhs or Rs 10 lakhs per grantee.
• Project duration: Maximum of 6 months

Use of Funds

• The grant can be used for the following indicative heads:
  • Outsourcing charges for R&D/ design engg/ consultancy/ testing/ experts
  • Raw materials/ consumables/ spares
  • Fabrication/ synthesis charges of working model or process
  • Manpower (Max 20% of approved project cost)
  • Patent filing costs, PCT (Max 10% of approved project cost)
  • Contingency (Max 10% of approved project cost)
• The grant cannot be used for the following heads:
  • Pay/ repay any loans/commitments made before signing the project agreement
  • Pay rent or related costs for own accommodation
  • Creation of new infrastructure facility, shed etc
  • Expenses incurred before the start date of the project

Eligibility Criteria

• Every project proposal will need to identify a Project Leader (PL) and an Applicant/ Grantee
• Applicant or Grantee should be a company or an early stage individual innovator. The Company should be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 2013.
• The company should be owned by resident Indian citizens i.e. minimum 51% of the capital is beneficially owned by resident Indian citizen(s) and / or Indian companies, which are ultimately owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.
• In case of an Individual applicant, the applicant should be the Project Leader (PL).
• The PL will be an individual who will take responsibility for executing the project.
• PL is required to be at least 18 years of age as on the date of call for applications.
• PL is required to be an Indian Citizen. An Indian citizen is defined as one who is in possession of a government approved proof of nationality such as a valid passport, voter’s id etc. Exceptional cases of foreign nationals with potential for impact in India will be considered.
• PL has to pursue the project or startup full time with no other concurrent commitments during the project duration.
• PL cannot be pursuing a long-term academic/research project (like doctoral students) with significant obligations during the project duration.
• PL must have completed basic undergraduate training in natural sciences/engineering/ medicine. Essential qualification is PhD/ MTech/ BTech/ BPharm /MD/ MBBS/ BDS/ MSc / MPhil/ M Des/ MPH /MBA / MSW and equivalents, with under‐ graduate training in Science, Medicine, Engineering. Applicants with a BSc degree with at least 1 year of full-time work or research experience shall also be eligible.

For more information, visit Venture Center.