The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has initiated the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) program in year 2016. Through NIDHI program DST has provided support to science and technology (S&T) based startups, including women-led startups, in their early-stage startup journey. Under NIDHI PRAYAS program, financial support is extended to S&T based startups for proof of concept (PoC) and prototype development. Under NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI SSP), funding is provided to early stage S&T based startups for technology and business development. These funding supports are provided through the NIDHI TBIs which have been established by DST across the country in premier academic institutions. These TBIs have a wide range of focus areas, such as agri-tech, heath-tech, artificial intelligence, electronics, space tech, etc. The NIDHI program of DST falls under the Central Sector Scheme and no dedicated state-wise budget/target is allocated.

Under NIDHI PRAYAS program, 501 women-led startups/women entrepreneurs have been supported for proof of concept and prototype development. Under NIDHI Seed Support Program, Rs. 66.50 Cr. has been disbursed to 213 women-led startups for commercialization of their prototypes into products. Year-wise and state-wise details of number of women innovators/women-led startups supported and funded under NIDHI are placed at Annexure-I and Annexure-II, respectively.

Under NIDHI Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI TBI) program, TBIs are established in premier academic institutions for providing incubation support to the early-stage startups. The support to these startups is provided in terms of technical and business mentoring, intellectual property rights, legal, regulatory, funding, etc. Under the NIDHI Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI iTBI) program, iTBIs have been established in the academic institutions in tier-2 and tier-3 cities to increase inclusivity of entrepreneurship ecosystem across the country. Year-wise and state-wise details of the NIDHI TBIs & NIDHI iTBIs, established by DST are placed at Annexure-III, and Annexure-IV, respectively. These incubators have incubated more than 1500 women-led startups.

Under the NIDHI-SSP program, 167 women-led startups have been supported who have successfully commercialized their products or services, and have generated employment.

There is currently no plan for setting up additional TBI in Vigyan Dhara central sector scheme to further support women entrepreneurs and promote inclusiveness during the current finance cycle.
 

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NKR/AK

ANNEXURE-I

Women-led startups/women innovators supported under NIDHI program (Year-wise)

ANNEXURE-II

Women-led startups/women innovators supported under NIDHI program (State-wise)

ANNEXURE-III

Number of TBIs/iTBIs established under NIDHI program (Year-wise)