HP Udgam (HPCL Startup Initiative)

HPCL formulated Udgam in 2017 to help innovators and entrepreneurs pursue a promising idea, establish and validate a proof of concept, and support commercialisation. It also helps projects that already have a proof of concept reach commercialisation or implementation. Online applications are invited in rounds, and a round that has closed will not take new applications.

What you get

• Initial support in the form of grant-in-aid, with no royalty charged on the money released
• Funds released milestone by milestone into a dedicated no-lien account

Who can apply

• Indian citizens applying as individuals, with the Project Leader as the primary applicant
• Companies registered under the Indian Companies Act with at least 51 per cent ownership by resident Indian citizens or Indian companies, and either in-house R&D or a plan for incubation
• A Project Leader with a graduate or post-graduate degree in engineering, chemistry, biotechnology or the sciences
• Work relevant to primary energy, petroleum refining, marketing or alternate energy
• Employed individuals need a no-objection certificate or a resignation undertaking, and anyone who has had HPCL support before is not eligible again

How selection works: Applications are screened and evaluated. Shortlisted applicants present their proposal to an HPCL committee, and due diligence follows.

How to apply: Apply only through the HPCL Start-up portal. Registration asks for name, address, PIN code, state, email, mobile number and PAN or Aadhaar. Check the portal for which round is open.