Incubators & Accelerators
Incubators and Accelerators
Incubators are like one stop solution for all the problems of early-stage startups. It Provides early-stage support like office space, mentorship, and resources. Connects startups with investors, advisors, and industry experts. Helps refine business models and product-market fit. Offers training in legal, financial, and operational areas. Increases survival chances by reducing initial risks and costs.
Government Incubator
Tier 1 Government Incubator
The proposed new government incubator shall be provided a grant of 75% of their project cost, out of which the maximum limit for capital expenditure (Capex) shall be 40%. The eligible operational expenditure shall be distributed over a period of five years and released on an annual basis.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The proposed incubator must be registered as a legal entity in accordance with Clause 5. (2) (i) of this Chhattisgarh Innovation and Startup Promotion Policy
- The proposed incubator must have a minimum of 3 years of operational experience and should have conducted at least 3 incubation cohorts.
- It must have functioned as an incubator/accelerator for a minimum of 30 incubates and should have facilitated funding support to at least 4 startup units
Or
The proposed incubator shall be required to establish a formal collaboration or partnership with another incubator that meets the above-mentioned eligibility criteria. - The proposed incubator must have identified a minimum built-up area of 10,000 square feet within the state, with adequate facilities to accommodate at least 25 incubates.
Tier 2 Government Incubator
The Proposed incubators shall be provided a grant equivalent to 75% of their project cost, with the maximum limit for capital expenditure (Capex) capped at 40%. The eligible operational expenditure shall be spread over a period of five years and disbursed on an annual basis.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The proposed incubator must be registered as a legal entity in accordance with Clause 5.(2) (i) of this policy
- The incubator must have a minimum of 3 years of operational experience and should have conducted at least 3 incubation cohorts.
- The incubator must have functioned as an incubator/accelerator for a minimum of 30 incubates and should have facilitated funding support to at least 2 startup units
Or
The proposed incubator shall be required to establish a formal collaboration or partnership with another incubator that meets the above-mentioned eligibility criteria. - The proposed incubator must have identified a minimum built-up area of 5,000 square feet within the state, with adequate facilities to accommodate at least 15 incubates
Upgradation Package
Incubators established in the state will be eligible for the grant mentioned in Clause 972 of the policy if they increase their approved fixed capital investment by a minimum of 25% and increase their incubation capacity (number of seats) by 25%.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be an incubator as defined under Clause 5.(2)(i) of the policy.
- Must have a minimum of 2 years of operational experience at the time of application.
- The incubation center must have a seating capacity for at least 20 incubates and should have provided incubation to a minimum of 5 startup units.
- Audited annual financial statements for previous financial years.
- A qualified team must be available for mentorship, technical, and business support.
- The incubation center must be a recognized incubator under any scheme of the Central/State.
Any additional criteria may be decided by the Nodal Department
Event Organization Assistance
Recognized incubators based in Chhattisgarh shall be eligible for financial assistance of ₹1 lakh per event for organizing state -level programs related to startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This support is subject to a maximum annual limit of ₹4 lakhs per incubator, and the assistance provided shall not exceed the actual contribution made by the incubator towards the event.
Private Incubator
Tier 1 Private Incubator
The proposed incubators will be provided a grant of 50% of their project cost, subject to a maximum limit of ₹3 crore. Within this, the maximum limit for capital expenditure (Capex) will be 40%. The eligible operational expenditure (Opex) will be distributed over a period of 5 years and disbursed on an annual basis.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The proposed incubator must be registered as a legal entity in accordance with Clause 5.(2) (i) of this policy
- The proposed incubator must have a minimum of 3 years of operational experience as an incubator.
- The proposed incubator must have conducted at least 5 incubation cohorts and must have worked as an incubator for a minimum of 50 incubates and as an accelerator for at least 10 startups.
- The incubator must have facilitated funding support for at least 5 startups in last 3 years through government schemes, angel funds, or venture capital
Or
The proposed incubator shall be required to establish a formal collaboration or partnership with another incubator that meets the above-mentioned eligibility criteria. - The proposed incubator must have identified a minimum built-up area of 10,000 square feet within the state, with adequate facilities to accommodate at least 25 incubates.
Tier 2 Private Incubator
The proposed incubators will be provided a grant of 50% of their project cost, subject to a maximum limit of ₹2 crore. Within this, the maximum limit for capital expenditure (Capex) will be 40%. The eligible operational expenditure (Opex) will be distributed over a period of 5 years and disbursed on an annual basis.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The proposed incubator must be registered as a legal entity in accordance with Clause 5. (2) (i) of this policy
- The incubator must have a minimum of 3 years of operational experience as an incubator.
- The incubator must have conducted at least 3 incubation cohorts and must have worked with 30 incubates as an incubator.
- The Incubator must have supported at least 2 startups in securing investments through government schemes, angel funds, or venture capital in the past three years
or
The proposed incubator shall be required to establish a formal collaboration or partnership with another incubator that meets the above-mentioned eligibility criteria. - The proposed incubator must have identified a minimum built-up area of 5,000 square feet within the state, with adequate facilities to accommodate at least 15 incubates. The proposed incubator must be registered as a legal entity in accordance with Clause 7.3 of this policy
Upgradation Assistance to Incubators
Incubators established in the state will be eligible for the grant mentioned in Clause 7.2 of this Chhattisgarh Innovation and Startup promotion Policy if they increase their approved fixed capital investment by a minimum of 25% and increase their incubation capacity (number of seats) by 25%.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be an incubator as defined under Clause 5.(2)(i) of the policy.
- Must have a minimum of 2 years of operational experience at the time of application.
- The incubation center must have a seating capacity for at least 20 incubates and should have provided incubation to a minimum of 5 startup units.
- Audited annual financial statements for previous financial years.
- A qualified team must be available for mentorship, technical, and business support.
- The incubation center must be a recognized incubator under any scheme of the Central/State.
Any additional criteria may be decided by the Nodal Department
Event Organization Assistance to Incubators
Recognized incubators based in Chhattisgarh shall be eligible for financial assistance of ₹1 lakh per event for organizing state-level programs related to startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This support is subject to a maximum annual limit of ₹4 lakhs per incubator, and the assistance provided shall not exceed the actual contribution made by the incubator towards the event.
Acceleration Program Assistance
Incubation centers will be given reimbursement of expenses up to a maximum of ₹15 lakh for the event if they provide support to startups in the development phase through incubation centers, for organizing an acceleration program (cohort) for a minimum duration of 8 weeks.
Eligibility Criteria:
- For this purpose, incubation centers must obtain prior approval from the nodal department, and the funds will be distributed only based on actual expenditure and achievement of approved targets.
- Only incubators recognized by the state government will be eligible for this grant.
- The proposed program must be at least 8 weeks long, include a minimum of 10 development stage startups, have a fixed curriculum, and have defined outcomes.