
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
ICAR's RKVY-RAFTAAR agri-business incubator in Mumbai focused on cotton technology, nanocellulose, and agricultural innovation.
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI at a glance
| Part of | Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
|---|---|
| Established | 2016 |
| Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Programmes | 1 standing programme |
| Official website | circot.icar.gov.in/agri-business-incubation-abi |
| circotrabi@gmail.com |
Programs by ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI
5 past programs · Filter all programs
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI, separate from the funding calls above.
A pan-India Startup Incubation Programme in Farm Mechanisation and Post-Harvest Technology, offering a one-month intensive training and mentoring.
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
Under this programme ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT), Mumbai through Agri Business Incubation Centre (ABIC), is an implementing agency (Hub institute) for incubation of start-ups in the domain of Farm Mechanisation and Post-Harvest Technology. The objective is to strengthen the agribusiness innovation ecosystem and provide structured incubation support, technical guidance, mentoring, and assistance in testing, and field-level validation of technology to develop practical, scalable, and commercially viable solutions for addressing agricultural & allied sector problems. Participants also receive assistance in business modelling, market linkage, and IP advisory. Applications are invited from innovators, entrepreneurs, and early-stage start-ups with ready Proof of Concept, Prototype, or Minimum Viable Product. The programme covers areas such as farm mechanisation, precision agriculture, robotics, smart harvesting, post-harvest processing, storage, digital agricultural solutions, etc. Selected applicants undergo a one-month intensive training and mentoring programme with technical support from ICAR scientists, academia and industry experts.
Incubation tracks
The routes into ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI, and what each one includes.
| Track | Type | Space | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agri Business Incubation (ABI)For new startups/entrepreneurs & enterprises for innovative technologies, emphasizing cotton-based technologies. | Resident incubation | — | physical support, technical support, business advisory, networking support, facilities and services to test and validate their venture |
| KSHITIJ – ICAR-CIRCOT Startup Incubation ProgrammeFor innovators, entrepreneurs, and early-stage start-ups with ready Proof of Concept, Prototype, or Minimum Viable Product in Farm Mechanisation and Post-Harvest Technology. | Acceleration | — | structured incubation support, technical guidance, mentoring, assistance in testing, field-level validation of technology, assistance in business modelling, market linkage, IP advisory |
Labs & facilities
Equipment and space on campus.
CIRCOT SAIF Facilities
Access via ICAR-CIRCOT
physical support
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
Recognitions & empanelments
Official approvals this incubator holds.
About ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI is the RKVY-RAFTAAR Agri Business Incubator housed at the Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT) in Mumbai. CIRCOT, originally established in 1924 as the Technological Laboratory, is one of ICAR's premier research institutes focused on cotton and fibre technology. The R-ABI program was sanctioned under ICAR's National Agricultural Innovation Fund in 2016 to facilitate incubation of agri-startups and promote sustainable business ventures in agriculture and allied fields.
The incubator provides need-based physical, technical, business, and networking support to entrepreneurs developing innovative technologies. Current focus areas include antimicrobial textile finishing, degossypolised cottonseed meal for poultry feed, cotton-rubber composites, and nanocellulose applications in paper and composites. The R-ABI offers funding support of up to Rs 25 lakhs along with mentoring, expert sessions, prototype validation, and market and investor connectivity.
Who Benefits
Agritech and textile technology startups, particularly those working on cotton-based innovations, fibre technology, biomaterials, and nanocellulose applications. Entrepreneurs in the Mumbai region looking for domain-specific incubation in agricultural post-harvest technology and value-added cotton products.
Get in touch
Send a message to ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI — we'll forward it on your behalf.
Who they work with
Stage
Sectors
Technology
Tags
Frequently asked questions about ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI
What does ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI do?
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI is the RKVY-RAFTAAR Agri Business Incubator housed at the Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (CIRCOT) in Mumbai. CIRCOT, originally established in 1924 as the Technological Laboratory, is one of ICAR's premier research institutes focused on cotton and fibre technology.
Where is ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI located?
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
What programs does ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI run?
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI runs KSHITIJ – ICAR-CIRCOT Startup Incubation Programme.
What sectors does ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI support?
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI works with startups in AgriTech and Manufacturing.
What stage of startup does ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI support?
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI supports startups at the Ideation and Validation stages.
What facilities does ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI offer?
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI offers physical support. Incubatees also get access to CIRCOT SAIF Facilities through its host institution.
Is ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI government recognised?
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI holds the following recognitions and affiliations: National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF) Component II (Incubation Fund) and KSHITIJ – ICAR-CIRCOT Startup Incubation Programme supported by IP&TM unit of ICAR under National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF).
When was ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI founded?
ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI was founded in 2016. It operates as a government.
Recommended grants & schemes
Other open programmes matching ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI's focus areas.




