Seed Support System (SSS)

The Seed Support System is the bridge between having something that works and having something you sell. It funds proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation, with the aim of getting the company to a point where angels, venture funds or banks will back it. Registration showed as closed when we last checked.

What you get

• Financial support for the project
• A four-seater space for two years at IIT Madras Research Park, leased by Pravartak
• Access to the IITM Pravartak lab facilities
• Technical and business mentorship, if you need it
• Introductions to venture capitalists, and to potential customers for your technology
• Access to the Gopalakrishnan Deshpande Centre at IIT Madras
• All patents and technology ideas owned by your startup, not shared with Pravartak

Who can apply

• Your business idea is for a product or service with a market fit, viable commercialisation and room to scale
• Technology sits at the core of your product, service, business model, distribution model or method
• A private limited company must be incorporated before funds are released
• Preference goes to startups 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. Technical Review Committee shortlist, then a presentation to the Technical Evaluation Committee. Approved projects are reviewed quarterly. Pravartak looks for a marketable product with a customer base, filed patents or licensable technology, jobs created, UG, PG and PhD candidates deployed, and industry collaborations.

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