Incubation Programs

Introduction

The objective of the 'C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) Incubation Programs' is to support early-stage Indian startups and Innovator(s) from academic / research institutes in Telecom and associated technology areas through a structured program(s), in- line with Prime Minister's 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision' in order encourage development of cost-effective indigenous telecom products/solutions.

Scope

C-DOT Incubation Programs/ Centers of Innovation (CoI) shall provide “idea to scale” support for technology-based entrepreneurship and facilitate the conversion of research activity into entrepreneurial ventures. Incubation of startups / innovators in India in order to accelerate the pace of Startup India movement in focused telecom domain areas

• Foster a culture of innovative thinking and risk-taking by providing entrepreneurship skill-based training
• To provide plug-n-play infrastructure support at C-DOT's Centre of Innovation (CoIs) at Delhi and Bengaluru
• To provide end-to-end mentoring, guidance on IPR/ patenting and to provide funding support
• To set up collaborative platforms for incubation with premier institutions such as TCOE, IISc, IITs, research institutes etc., for specific mentoring

The role of C-DOT shall mainly be of a facilitator, integrator and resource provider to accomplish the task of product development by the industry and for the industry.

Eligibility

C-DOT's Incubation Programs are open to the following two categories, with project proposals having current level of less than or equal to TRL-3:

• Startups, as defined and recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India
• Individual Innovators and/or team of innovators from academic institutions/research organizations

Technology Domain Areas

• Quantum Technologies
• Cyber Security
• 5G/6G Technologies/Products/Use Cases
• Telecom Software Applications (Network Management, Disaster Management related)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Cases
• IoT Applications

Incubation Phases

C-DOT shall nurture startups/innovators, provide complete support & handholding required in the complete product lifecycle in following three phases:

• Phase-I (“Nurture”) - Proof of Concept or Prototyping phase
  • The beneficiary which does not have a PoC/Prototype ready shall be incubated in the facility. The beneficiary which has a PoC/Prototype in place (and may have demonstrated the same during screening), can join Phase-II(“Develop”)
• Phase-II (“Develop”) - Product Development & Testing phase
  • The beneficiary MUST be incubated in the facility during this phase
• Phase-III (“Market”) - Commercialization and Patenting phase
  • The beneficiary may or may not be incubated in the facility during this phase. Support & services will be available only to those beneficiaries that are incubated in the earlier phases

Services

• Fund and financial aid
• A corpus fund as seed investment has been set up by C-DOT which shall be disbursed to eligible startups/innovators
• Access to physical infrastructure at Centre of Innovation (CoI)
• Fully air-conditioned incubation space
• State-of-the-art infrastructure with workstations, cubicles, manager cabins, discussion rooms, conference halls etc.
  • Ready-to-use internet bandwidth
  • Standby DG power system & uninterrupted power supply system
  • 24*7 security system and access control
  • Space is made available based on requirements, as per policy
• Access to hi-tech labs and equipment
  • Labs with modern testing and validation facilities
• Support Services
  • Mentoring done by industry veterans, domain and academic experts
  • Marketing
  • Regular trainings
  • IPR Facilitation/Patenting support
  • Legal/accounting support

Inviting Application

Initiation of application shall be through multiple modes:-

• Direct approach: Startups may approach C-DOT directly by online registration along with the duly filled application form available on website. This shall be a continuous process.
• By floating problems statements on website: Specific problem statements shall be floated on website every month. Startups shall submit their proposals w.r.t the floated statements by registering on website and filling application form with required documents.
• Through events/contests/fests: Organizing contests, hackathons, idea fests etc. for startups/innovators on its own or in collaboration with one or more event partners from time to time. Applicants shall have to apply in the prescribed format along with the required documents as per the application form available on website.

The applicants should meet the following criteria:-

• The proposal should be in line with C-DOT's focus domain areas as listed in this document
• The proposal shall clearly state its hardware, software features and requirement of tools & test equipment
• The proposal shall clearly state the test & verification procedure of the developed product & also proposed business plan
• Applicant should not have already received any grants/grants-in-aid by any government schemes for the same proposal

Program Governance Structure

The applicants applying under for C-DOT Incubation Programs shall be evaluated under several stages before final approval is granted by the Apex committee.