LEAF

Choosing this incubator

• Check the IoT focus first. The incubator names Internet of Things as its thrust area and runs an IoT lab.
• Ask about eligibility before applying. The website does not say whether outside founders may join.
• Ask about equity and fees. The website does not state them.

How applications work

• Apply through the online form on the LEAF website.
• Name the organisation or project, the stage (conceptual, development, or technology and product formulation) and the proposed legal entity.
• Describe the innovation, its product differentiation, its status, and how it would scale.
• Upload a business plan, a marketing plan and a financial plan. The form accepts PDF and Word files only.
• Contact leaf@glsuniversity.ac.in with questions.

How selection works

• A screening panel reviews each application. The panel includes venture capitalists, startup founders, mentors and domain experts.
• Selection criteria differ by venture stage. Early ventures are judged on the business or technical knowledge behind the idea. Later ventures are judged on traction, pilot clients and revenue potential.

What reviewers look for

• Innovation of the concept.
• Market potential of the product or service.
• The team's understanding of the project and its IP.
• How convincingly the founders present the venture.

LEAF (Leadership Entrepreneurship and Acceleration Foundation) is a technology business incubator at GLS University in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and promoted by GLS University and the Gujarat Law Society. It is also the nodal institute of the Government of Gujarat for the state startup assistance programme in the Ahmedabad region. Its thrust area is the Internet of Things, and it runs a six-stage incubation process for early-stage ventures.

How programmes work

The main programme is the Start-Up Incubation Process. It takes a venture from idea validation to market entry in six stages. The first four stages are timed at about two, four, two and six weeks. Teams first settle their roles and refine the idea with feedback from mentors on an online platform. They then specify their product and build the first version, with help from technical mentors. The third stage builds the business model and tests the product in the field. The fourth covers marketing, networking and partnerships. The fifth is a demo day, where teams present to incubator staff, venture capitalists and invited stakeholders. The sixth is market entry, with user feedback and marketing.

Mentoring runs on set days each week. A full-time in-house mentor is available on every mentoring slot, and part-time mentors are booked on demand.

The incubator also runs a training calendar in two six-month cycles, covering the skills needed to build a startup. It lists advisory support in business, technical and financial matters, along with market intelligence, partnership development and talent development. It also lists separate work on corporate innovation and executive development. Through tie-ups with incubators abroad, it offers global soft-landing support in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Who can apply

The website does not say whether outside founders may apply, or whether applicants must be GLS University students or researchers. Ask the incubator before applying. The application form asks for an organisation or project name, a stage from conceptual to development, a proposed legal entity and details of each team member. The pages say the process was tested with start-ups and students across the country.

The site does not say whether LEAF takes equity or charges a fee, and it does not publish intake dates.

Facilities

Startups work from cubicle workstations with electricity, internet and phone lines. Companies that want privacy can take enclosed offices. Conference rooms are linked to high-speed internet for video calls.

The centre has a 3D printing facility and high-end prototyping equipment. An IoT lab is being developed, with laser cutting, vinyl cutting, circuit printing and milling, at the standard of a medium-sized fab lab. Incubatees also have access to 40 computers in the centre, university computers and library resources, an auditorium and seminar halls on demand, a cafeteria and printing services.

Locations

The incubator is based at GLS University, opposite Law Garden in Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad 380006.