Aligarh Muslim University

Choosing the right route

• Incubation suits a registered company that wants mentoring, workspace and support for a technology venture in its focus areas.
• Ignition Grant suits an individual innovator, or a co-founder of an early-stage start-up, who has an idea for a physical prototype.
• Seed loan is for companies already in incubation for three months, and it depends on available funds.

How applications work

• Incubation applications are accepted all year. Submit the application form through the website, or deliver the prescribed format to the AMUIF office in person.
• The incubator page links a startup application format and a presentation format for download.
• Ignition Grant proposals are invited through an open call.

How selection works

• A Screening and Monitoring Committee selects Ignition Grant recipients and monitors their progress.
• A seed loan may be approved with an admission, but disbursement waits until the committee is satisfied with progress.

What reviewers look for

• Ideas based on technology and science.
• A physical product prototype, not a software-only concept.
• A road map to commercialisation.
• Work that can be finished in 12 to 14 months.
• For a start-up applying for the Ignition Grant: incorporation in India, at least 51% of equity held by Indian citizens, no more than two years of existence, and annual turnover within the eligibility limit.

AMU Innovation Foundation (AMUIF) is a non-profit Section 8 company set up as a subsidiary of Aligarh Muslim University in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. It runs an inclusive Technology Business Incubator for students, faculty and early-stage entrepreneurs who want to turn research and technical ideas into start-ups.

How the incubator works

The incubator is funded by the Department of Science and Technology through its National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI). It sits within the university's Innovation Council and University Incubation Centre. Its focus areas are healthcare, sustainable energy technology and nanomaterials. Teams combine modelling, simulation and experimental work to build prototypes that could become start-ups.

Who can apply

The company must be registered as a private or public limited company. Eligible owners include faculty members, graduating students, alumni, students and members of the public. A company owned by faculty members can also bring in other owners. Companies owned by government employees are admitted only with a no-objection certificate. The incubator's own page does not say whether founders from outside the university can apply, so ask before you apply.

Funding support

Two funding routes sit alongside incubation. The Ignition Grant is a grant-in-aid for individual innovators and early-stage start-ups that want to build a physical prototype with commercial potential. A seed loan from the incubation centre can be given to incubated companies after three months of incubation, subject to funds being available. Being admitted does not guarantee a seed loan, and companies that already have revenue or customer orders are given preference.

Facilities and support

Incubatees get mentorship from faculty and domain specialists. Mentors advise on strategy, development, marketing and fundraising. The incubator offers infrastructure, technical support, workshops, business resources, networking and a collaborative workspace.

Who runs it

Prof. Syed Fahad Anwer is the principal investigator of the incubator and a director of AMUIF. Prof. Sajjad Athar coordinates the Innovation Council and University Incubation Centre and is also a director of AMUIF. Prof. Ekram Khan is the nodal coordinator of the incubator, and Dr. S. Javed Rizvi is a co-principal investigator. The foundation's board includes the university's Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Finance Officer.

Location

AMU Innovation Foundation, CARET, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.