1. Without limiting scope unduly, the projects and technology entrepreneurs chosen shall be:

• Focused on a leveraging science and technology/ inventions

• Focused on building a sustainable and scalable entrepreneurial venture

• Any other themes suggested by the Project Oversight Committee (POC)

2. There shall be no restriction on the background of the entrepreneur. However, preference may be given to:

• Women entrepreneurs

• First generation entrepreneurs from under-privileged backgrounds

• Social enterprises (as defined in http://www.venturecenter.co.in/pdfs/VC-Policy-Social-Enterprise.pdf )

• Any other criteria suggested by the Project Oversight Committee (POC)

3. The selected entrepreneurs shall be called the “Indus Entrepreneurship Fellows”.

4. If selected, the applicant will become an incubatee of Venture Center after fulfilling the admissions criteria. Venture Center will execute appropriate agreements with the grantee.

5. The applicant should be an incubatee of Venture Center for the entire duration of the Project.

6. Support (to the entrepreneur or his/her startup) can be in different forms and as deemed appropriate by the POC.  The POC can suggest the appropriate mechanism based on a) funds available, b) the need of entrepreneurs, c) strategy for maximizing impact and d) the best and efficient use of funds at any given time.  The CSR grantor (Indus Biotech) has suggested that Venture Center should deploy the funds with flexibility and respond to emerging needs — and not be constrained by the strict and inflexible guidelines. This could include:

• Project grants

• Prize money

• Travel grants

• Access to specialized professional services

• Subsistence stipends

• And any others suggested by the POC and allowed by Venture Center policies.

Monitoring and reporting

• The  Project Leader shall periodically review projects and report the progress to the POC.

• The applicant for Indus Entrepreneurship Fellow (IEF) shall always be an individual. They can however apply for support for a project or initiative related to themselves as the entrepreneur or their startups.

• IEFs (FELLOWS) shall always be individuals

• They or their startups can bid for support for their PROJECTS. (Startups which are not promoted by IEFs will not be eligible to bid. However, such requests shall be considered — subject to them qualifying as IEFs.)

• Eligibility criteria for IEFs:

• Applicant or his/her startup should be a resident incubatee,  Associate Incubatee or Ignition member at Venture Center at the time of applying.

• Startups who have received SEED funding from Venture Center are eligible to apply ( VC seed investees / VC portfolio companies )

• Past EIR fellows, Prayas grantees, SIIP fellows, CSR grantees and BIG grantees of Venture Center are also eligible to apply

• Eligibility criteria for PROJECTS:

• The injected support (however small) should help the entrepreneur or startup achieve some key milestone or serve as a critical enabler.

The scope of support shall be decided on a case-to-case basis. Venture Center shall sign a suitable agreement with the selected applicant.

Project Duration: 6-8 months

Selection criteria

• For FELLOWS:

• Preference will be given to first-generation science / engineering based entrepreneur who can communicate his/her passion and commitment to entrepreneurship and demonstrate ability to raise resources and execute on a plan.

• For PROJECTS:

• Preference will be given to flexible  and timely support that will help a startup negotiate a key turning point.

CALL OPEN : 10th April to 20th April 2025. APPLY NOW!

1. Venture Center shall announce the call for Indus Entrepreneurship Fellow (IEF) within Resident incubatees, Associate incubatees, grantees and Ignition members at Venture Center.

2. The maximum support that can be provided per project is up to Rs. 5.5 lakhs

3. Duration of the project should be 6 to 8 months.

4. All applicants for IEF will apply by filling the online application form and mailing the necessary documents.

5. Click on the following link to fill the online application form :  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf90cCKIk7tNeJ7cnVwUyyU812WP18OCfwTBLsPFWfZydVXDA/viewform

6. Documents to be submitted :

Appendix 1 : Attach CV or Resume

Appendix 2 : Presentation introducing your business venture

Appendix 3 : Proposal describing the specific project for which you require funding and the milestone breakup for 6 months (please include budget details)

Mail all the following documents to the following Email Id : csr_edc@venturecenter.co.in

7. The selection of the IEF shall be done by Venture Center through a Project Oversight Committee and certain qualifying criteria’s.

8. The shortlisted candidates have to present their project proposal in front of the Project Oversight Committee.

9. The selected IEFs shall be informed by the Venture Center.