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Nexus Incubator for Startups (Cohort 18) – India

Deadline: 31 August 2023

The Nexus incubator offers selected startups unparalleled access to networks of industry and government partners, training with the top commercialization experts from around the world, an extensive mentor network as well as access to funders specializing in supporting startups.

Nexus is a collaboration between the American Embassy, New Delhi and ACIR to showcase the best of American and Indian Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Commercialization.

This 9-week program will take place in New Delhi, in person.

Benefits

As part of the Nexus Family, the startups will receive the following package worth thousands of dollars:

  • Google Cloud credits up to $20,000 which can be used for all services on Google Cloud Products and Firebase.
  • Amazon Web Services credits worth $2000, including 1 year of AWS Business Support ($5000) and credits for AWS Self-Paced Labs.
  • Up to $50,000 in Segment credits and $100,000+ in partner deal value to build your analytics and growth stack.
  • From HubSpot, free CRM + 90% off marketing, sales, and customer service software in the firrst year and 50% off in the next year.
  • A free year of TiE-Delhi NCR membership.
  • Free membership of the American Center library.
  • Miro credits worth $1,000 for each startup.
  • PayU payment gateway charges for GMV up to INR 3 Lakhs or 6 months, whichever is earlier, will be waived for all Nexus startups.
  • Nexus startups will receive $4000 of credits for all Freshworks’ suite of products.
  • Nexus startups can avail Zoho Wallet Credits of up to INR 1.86 lakhs, valid for a period of 360 days.
  • 30% discount on the Premium plan of Slidebean to all Nexus startups.
  • Free Microsoft for Startups credit of up to $150,000 (spread over 4 years) to Nexus startups.
  • Gain access to 10 Licenses per company for MATLAB, Simulink and 90+ additional toolboxes from MathWorks.
  • Build your startup on the world’s most advanced DevSecOps platform. Get up to 20 seats of GitHub Enterprise free for one year and 50% off in year two.

Program Schedule

  • Week 1
    • Startup Launch Program. Sept. 18 – 22
    • An online program by international experts introducing commercialization for startups
  • Week 2
    • The Basics. Sept. 25 – 29
    • Introduction: Why Nexus, why U.S. Govt., why Austin. Logistics and expectations
    • Technology descriptions, conveying value proposition, features vs. benefits
    • Workshop: Startup India: program benefits
    • Workshop: Starter CFO: startup compliance and regulations questions
  • Week 3
    • Market Fit and Customer Feedback. Oct. 02 – 06
    • Cam Houser “Evidence-Based Entrepreneurship”
  • Week 4
    • Intellectual Property. Oct. 09 – 13
    • Basics of knowing and protecting IP: patents, trademarks, copyright, PCTs
    • Workshop: Aumirah: Intellectual Property
  • Week 5
    • Marketing and Research. Oct. 16 – 20
    • Marketing: Target markets, Customers vs. End Users, STP, 4 Ps. Branding
    • Market Research: Primary and secondary research; sources and tools; interviews
    • Workshop: Go to Market strategies, Vikas Gupta of 9dot9
  • Week 6
    • Road. Oct. 23 – 27
    • GOTB (Get Out of the Building) market validation
    • Roadmapping: Technical/financial milestones, TRLs
  • Week 7
    • Finances for Start-ups. Oct. 30 – Nov. 03
    • GOTB: Market validation” and competition
    • Intro. to Financials: P+L statements, balance sheets, discounted cash-?ow, income
    • statements, break-even points, profit margins
    • Workshop: Financial Management by Ankur, BIMTECH
    • 1-on-1 mentoring on financials
  • Week 8
    • Funding. Nov. 06 – 10
    • Funding: Angels vs Venture Capital Funds, Private Equity, equity divisions, valuations
    • Talking to investors with your pitch deck, VC vs Angels. Exercise on term sheets
    • (preference, participation)
    • Workshop: What do investors look for? (Angel Network)
    • Workshop: Funding from a VC perspective (YourNest)
  • Week 9
    • Pitching and Graduation. Nov. 13 – 17
    • Pitching: 4 Case studies, Dos and Don’ts, timing, formats, audiences
    • Public Speaking: Types of pitches, language, body language, formats
    • Companies pitching practice
    • Graduation!

Entry Guidelines

  • Please carry valid photo identification in original with you to enter.
  • DO NOT BRING power banks, cash drives, etc. into the building; these CANNOT be stored at the security station.
  • Please allow extra time for security measures if attending an American Center event.
  • Mobile phones are allowed within the American Center, but photography of sensitive areas is prohibited.
  • American Center does not provide parking on its premises.
  • All visitors may be featured in photos or videos to be used for promotional purposes or on social media by the American Center or the U.S. Embassy.

For more information, visit Nexus.