DPIIT Launches Capacity Building Program for Incubators

The registration for Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s (DPIIT’s) National Incubator Capacity Building Program (NICBP) is now open for the incubators.

The programme will scale up the sustainable incubators which in turn would strengthen the startup ecosystem in the country. This is the first edition of the National Incubator Capacity Building Program (NICBP).

The program will provide 3 months of mentorship and advisory support to the incubators and offer customized business models, masterclasses, and workshops on managing the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS).

Incubators that are incorporated or registered entities in India with a minimum of 5 employees and at least 5 start-ups incubated in the current or last financial year can apply for this program on the Startup India Platform by March 25, 2023. The program will commence in May 2023 and conclude on August 30, 2023.

What are the Aims and Objectives of the Program?

NICBP aims providing long-term handholding and mentorship support to incubator managers, enhance capacities of incubators, especially in emerging cities, and provide better infrastructure for entrepreneurs to grow.

With more than 92,000 DPIIT-recognized startups across India, new incubators are being established frequently, but support to new incubator managers in terms of training, sensitization, and knowledge-building remains limited. This program aims to close that gap and provide the required training for incubators to establish their operations.

What is National Incubator Capacity Building Program?

NICBP is a hands-on training program designed for incubator managers, providing three months of mentorship and advisory support to incubators and offering knowledge resources and tools for entrepreneurs to grow. The program is being implemented by Villgro, the winner of the National Incubator Award 2020 by DPIIT.

How does NICBP work?

The program will develop customized business models for incubators and organize masterclasses and workshops on managing the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS). It will also offer access to VITALS (Villgro Information Tracking and Learning System), a technology-based information system for tracking the incubation of enterprises.

Who are the Advisors & Mentors to guide the incubators?

Incubator Business Advisors such as Paul Basil, Mohammad Azhar, Chand Das, Rama Kannan, and Arun Venkatesan will mentor and guide up to 20 incubators. These incubators will go through a 12-16 week long, three-phased cohort-based hybrid capacity development program, which consists of self-learning modules and in-person sessions.

Who can apply?

Incubators that are incorporated or a registered entity in India, with a special focus on early-stage startups, having a minimum of five employees and at least five start-ups incubated in the current or last financial year, can apply for this program on the Startup India Platform by 25th March 2023. The program will commence in May 2023, and the incubators will graduate from the program on 30th August 2023.

The incubators will get necessary training and support to incubator managers to help them establish their operations and create a sustainable ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups. This program will not only enhance the capacities of incubators but will also help in the growth of entrepreneurs and generate livelihood opportunities.

How to apply for NICBP?

The call for applications for eligible incubators is hosted on the Startup India Platform, and interested candidates can apply by 25th March 2023.

The initiative is based on suggestions from the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC), which was constituted by DPIIT and chaired by Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce and Industry in the Government of India.

Under this program, a strong ecosystem will be fostered nurturing innovation and startups to drive sustainable economic growth and generate livelihood opportunities.