PRAYAS — PRomotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurS

PRAYAS addresses the gap at the early idea and proof-of-concept stage. Over two years it pushes product development from roughly TRL 1-3 to TRL 4-6, and protecting the intellectual property is the main aim of that phase. Registration showed as closed when we last checked, so watch the scheme page for the next call.

What you get

• Financial support for the project
• Access to the IITM Pravartak lab facilities
• Technical and business mentorship, if you need it
• Patent filing paid for by Pravartak, with patents jointly owned by Pravartak and the inventors

Who can apply

• You have completed EIR, or you have a body of impact-creating patents, publications and papers
• You have one established professor as a mentor, from any UGC or central institute or from a company with an R&D function
• Preference goes to ideas in sensors, networking, actuators and control systems, and only proposals in those areas are considered

How selection works: a proposal in Pravartak's format with objective, milestones and expenditure, submitted during a call. The Technical Review Committee shortlists, then you present to the Technical Evaluation Committee. Approved projects are reviewed quarterly and continued funding depends on progress. Pravartak expects filed patents or licensable technology, a proof of concept, publications, jobs created and a count of UG, PG and PhD candidates deployed.

How to apply: submit a proposal during an open call. The scheme page lists a coordinator inbox for clarifications.