National Bamboo Innovation Challenge 2022 is managed by Finovista on behalf of the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC). The programme has been supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.The Challenge fund will
lead to the identification of business opportunities in the Indian bamboo industry and start-ups and innovators who are keen to take it forward. This Challenge Fund is open for participants from all over India.
FMC has been implementing a project: “Promote Bamboo MSME Clusters for Sustainable Development” in 9 states (Viz: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand & Madhya Pradesh) with the overall objective of promoting bamboo as a sustainable resource and generate green jobs. FMC is implementing this project in partnership with SIDBI (Small Industrial Development Bank of India), CEMCA (Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia), CBS (Copenhagen Business School).
Further, FMC in collaboration with Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, is currently implementing Empower Start ups and Micro Enterprises (MEs) to grow Business their 2022 Initiatives. The overall objectives of the program are to create a one-stop knowledge repository for the startup by arranging Expert/Technical sessions and enabling a virtual platform https://www.letsstartup.net/ through which Startups can pitch their ideas and can access potential investments from various investors.
To tap into the potential of Innovative Indian Bamboo startups, FMC, through Finovista has designed the “National Bamboo Innovation Challenge 2022”. The programme aims to identify and support Innovative innovators, startups and SME to develop and scaleup through the Innovation Challenge. Innovative startups and their ideas would be mapped. These startups and Innovators would be then
supported under the three categories:
1.) Idea Stage
2.) Prototype Development and test marketing stage
3.) Commercial Production Stage
Programme Opportunity & Benefits
The Programme offers a comprehensive set of opportunities and benefits to Startups/Innovators. The shortlisted top 15 companies/innovators would be provided with Business Support, 2 weeks of multidisciplinary Training & Mentoring support, Incubation support, Financial Support (Grant), Networking, Market Access (90 Days of Virtual listing and 2 days of Exhibition on https://www.letsstartup.net/) and International Linkages. Top 15 start-ups would be awarded a cash grant in the form of financial support for three Stages, with a total of INR 7.25 Lakhs.
Eligibility
The Programme is designed for passionate, empathetic and motivated startups and innovator who are dedicated to creating impact and want to build an entrepreneur that will solve India’s Bamboo Industry’s Challenges and help scale it up.
1.) The startup could be from any part of the value chain in the bamboo sector viz cultivation, processing, production, finishing, packaging, marketing, logistic support, tool/machinery development and Go-to-Market.
2.) The solution can be at any/or Stage i.e. Ideation, Piloting, Demonstration, Deployment, Commercialization and Matured stage
3.) You could be engaged in the business of Services, Manufacturing, Trading, Distribution, Advisory, Designing, Researching etc, related to Bamboo & allied products.
4.) The entity could be an Indian Company/SME/Startup/Individual (Innovators & Researchers).
Applications are Open till – 7th October 2022.
Click here to Apply: https://forms.gle/AXPqBFAAMJ9DLMGX9