Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal

Who should apply

• Faculty members of the university campus
• Students and alumni of the university's departments

How to apply

• Download the application form from the EKTA Incubation Centre website and submit it with your proposal.
• Contact ekta@makautwb.ac.in for the centre.

What reviewers look for

• Clear innovation in the idea
• A credible market plan
• Research potential
• Ability to deliver and execute
• Relevance to social and national needs

EKTA Incubation Centre is the technology business incubator of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, West Bengal (MAKAUT, WB). The centre describes itself as one of the first technology business incubators in West Bengal. It is a MAKAUT initiative and its own site says it is supported by NSTEDB.

Who can apply

The application page limits eligibility to faculty members from the university campus, and students and alumni of the university departments. The homepage also mentions incubating students from affiliated engineering colleges, so check with the centre before applying from outside the university.

How the programme works

The centre takes technology startups and social startups. Its stated technology focus includes intelligent systems, IoT, electronics, biotech, clean tech, edtech, fintech, healthtech, environmental technology, material science, sensors and food technology. Selected ideas get mentoring from a panel of mentors, and help with intellectual property, legal and financial matters.

How selection works

Applicants submit a form from the centre's website. A professional committee reviews it, and shortlisted proposals pitch to an expert panel. Accepted teams must register as a private limited company within three months of their acceptance letter.

Who runs it

The centre has a committee drawn from the university's senior officers, school directors and outside entrepreneurs, and a mentor panel listed on its site.