CIVF

Choosing this programme

• CIVF's acceleration programme is the Launchpad Acceleration Program. It takes enterprises from any sector.
• For seed funding, a detailed business plan and financials are required.

How applications work

• Apply online through the acceleration page. There is no fixed deadline, and applications are taken throughout the year.
• No application fee is stated. Professional services requested from CIVF may be charged.
• For questions, write to civf@charusat.ac.in.

How selection works

• Online application, then a preliminary screening.
• Shortlisted applicants send a pitch deck and present it to a selection committee.
• Selected founders sign a collaboration agreement and are inducted into CIVF.

What reviewers look for

• Details of the enterprise, a growth plan, the business model, and the reason for joining CIVF. The site says these are expected in the pitch.

CHARUSAT Innovative Ventures Foundation (CIVF) is a not-for-profit accelerator on the CHARUSAT campus in Changa, Anand, Gujarat. It is a Section 8 company that works to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. It runs an accelerator alongside a set of services for growing businesses.

How programmes work

CIVF's main programme is the Launchpad Acceleration Program. It is open to enterprises in any sector. Founders get mentoring from experts in marketing, culture, product design, sales and finance, hands-on help with business and product strategy, growth metrics and investor pitches, and introductions to individual and institutional investors.

CIVF also offers professional services to startups, including legal support, business plan development, IT support, financial and accounting services, IPR services, market surveys and training workshops. It also takes seed funding applications, which need a detailed business plan and financials.

Who can apply

Enterprises from any sector can apply to the acceleration programme. CIVF says it does not limit applicants to a few selected sectors. Its stated scope includes student entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, social entrepreneurs, micro-enterprises, women entrepreneurs, MSMEs, differently-abled entrepreneurs and high-growth companies. The pages read do not say whether applicants must be based in India.

Facilities

CIVF is based on the CHARUSAT campus, which is spread across 120 acres on the outskirts of Anand. The campus facilities include co-working space, an auditorium, a conference room, a boardroom, workshop and seminar halls, a digital media centre, a tinkering lab, an information resource centre and online journal access.

Scale

CIVF's home page gives these figures, which are self-reported and undated: more than 45 startups incubated, more than 30 patents filed, 481 projects supported, 236 proof-of-concept efforts supported and 136 cases of sanctioned financial support. The site also gives funding totals for startups and for grants, which are not repeated here.

Who runs it

Dr. Atul Patel is the Director. CIVF is a Section 8 company. The site says it works with CHARUSAT's IPR cell to protect new technology.

Locations

CIVF's address is 102, Multi Utility Complex, CHARUSAT Campus, Off Nadiad-Petlad Highway, Changa, Anand, Gujarat.