TePP( Technopreneurship Promotion Program)

Phase I: Micro Technopreneurship Support
Eligibility
· Any Indian citizen having an original idea can apply. These proposals can be made by independent innovators.
Scope & Support
· TS is for micro budget innovations and is also given as initial support to TPF applicants to work further on their ideas to the point they can be considered under TPF.
· Selected projects will be provided financial support to initiate a promising development, prove functionality by a lab model/ computer model/mathematical model, apply for patenting etc.
· Maximum support under this category is Rs. 75,000/- subject to 90% of approved project cost.
Mechanism
· Initially, the proposals will be screened for completeness at the point of receipt, by TePP secretariat or by the coordinators of TUCs (TePP Outreach centres).
· The proposals after initial Screening are assigned to officers at DSIR and TIFAC (DST) for evaluation or evaluated by the concerned TUC.
· Complete and evaluated proposals will be discussed in the TSC (TePP Screening Committee) and those recommended for support by TSC will be submitted on file to TePP Promotion Board (TPB) for approval and finally sanction will be released to those that are approved by the Board. The applicant has to sign "Terms & Conditions" prior to the actual release of grants-in-aid.
· The first release is based on assessment of need by TSC and subsequent releases are based on assessment by project monitoring committee/ concerned TUC. Each of approved projects will be monitored by TUC/ other network partner by including technical expert(s). TUC will be periodically reporting project status to the TSC.
· Project completion/ closure will be reported to TSC for feedback and record.
Limiting conditions
· The proposals involving software development, only patenting and for basic scientific research having no immediate commercial implications will not be accepted for consideration under TePP. Software Embedded projects and patenting along with prototype development are eligible for support. Innovative S&T delivery models will also be eligible.
· Faculty/student research projects will not be supported, however faculty start-ups and student entrepreneurs will be eligible if they have the right to commercially exploit the technology.
· Proposals of grass root innovators, herbal products (developed by grass root innovators), school children projects will be taken by NIF and not under TePP. Proposals to scientifically test the efficacy and toxicity of herbal formulations developed by innovator (other than grass root innovator) will be eligible for support. Process standardization will also be eligible for support after proving efficacy and non-toxicity.
· The proposals from the owner of a ‘Start-up’ company/industry may be considered for TePP support, if the annual turnover of the company/industry doesn’t exceed Rs. 45.00 lakhs per annum.
· Individuals working in organizations & having innovative ideas may apply for TePP support by furnishing a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from their employer.
· Manpower costs are based on actual & not exceeding 20% of the total project cost. Innovator’s salary and rental expenses for use of own facilities are not eligible for support.
· Travel costs are based on actual & not exceeding 5% of the total project cost.
· TS is not an award for work done but a grant for work to be done.
Phase II: Seamless Scale-up Support for TePP
Eligibility
· Innovators who have successfully completed TePP Phase-I projects are eligible. These proposals can be made by individuals or jointly with sponsoring organizations
Scope & Support
· Proposals aim at incubating enterprise promoted by TePP Phase-I Innovator. Activities aim at improving market access of innovations supported under Phase-I, by carrying out such value added work like adding product features, protection by patenting, aesthetic design, limited production for market seeding etc, as per approved business plan.
· Maximum support under this category is Rs 45,00,000/- subject to 50% of approved project cost.
Mechanism
· The innovators will be presenting their achievements in Phase-I and plans for commercialization to TePP
· The proposals are assigned to officers at DSIR and TIFAC(DST) for evaluation.
· The evaluated proposals are put forth to TSC for consideration. The TePP Screening Committee(TSC) recommends the proposal for TePP support, while TPB gives approval for TePP support on file for release of necessary grant.
· To facilitate `financial closure’ the innovator will be given letter of intent, based on which innovator can firm up agreements with banks/ institutions to raise innovator’s part of resources.
· After Financial closure, the applicant has to sign "Terms & Conditions" prior to the actual release of grants-in-aid.
· The first release is based on assessment of need by TSC and subsequent releases are based on assessment by project monitoring committee/ authorized TUC.
· Project completion/ closure will be reported to TSC for feedback and record.
Limiting conditions
· Only TePP Phase-I innovators are eligible.
· There is a need to submit viable Business plan .
· TePP support will not exceed 50% of approved project cost subject to ceiling of Rs 45 lakhs and innovator need to raise resources for balance of the project cost. This arrangement has to be made before release of first sanction by TePP.
· Funds will be released to Innovator.
· Manpower costs supported will not exceed 20% of the total grant amount. Innovator’s salary and rental expenses for use of own facilities are not eligible for support.
· Travel costs supported will not exceed 5% of the total grant amount.