Atal New India Challenges

Atal New India Challenges (ANIC) was launched by Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to bring innovative products/solutions based on cutting-edge technologies in areas of social and national importance. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is established under NITI Aayog by Government of India for promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the country. AIM develops new programmes and policies for encouraging innovation in different sectors of the economy, providing a platform and collaboration opportunities for various stakeholders, create awareness and create an umbrella structure to administer the innovation ecosystem of the country. AIM launched the Atal New India Challenges as a platform to satiate its purpose.

Vision

Productisation - To help create products from existing technologies relevant for national and social causes. Commercialisation - To help new deep-technology products find markets and early customers in the context of India.

Structure of Atal New India Challenges (ANIC)

ANIC is an open invite to design and demonstrate market-ready products based on cutting-edge technologies in identified 24 focus areas. Applicants who seem promising to productize technologies will be awarded

grants of up to one crore. The AIM and ANIC committees decide the exact amount of grant based on the application and business plan. The successful applicants will be supported in mentoring, marketing strategies, technical support and expert guidance.

Focus Areas

Why ANIC?

Researchers consider ‘Valleys of Death’ at the early stage and commercialisation stage as a barrier in taking innovations to the market. The Objective of Atal New India Challenge is addressing the second Commercialization Valley of Death, where innovators could not access resources for piloting, testing, and market creation.

Who Can Apply?

MSME's.
Startups.
R & D organisations.
Academic Institutions, Academicians, Innovators.
Any Indian company which is incorporated under the Companies Act.
Individuals who are looking to apply for their technologies/products should partner with entities able to manufacture, market and scale up their products.

Note: A Self-certification (stating that the applicant has not received any grant in the past) is required from any ministry/ department of central/ state government, for a similar purpose.

Critical Parameters in Selection of Application

The proposed product should possess the potential to meet the needs of the nation in the focus areas.
It should possess the capability to deploy an existing technology/ prototype/ patent (to be specified in the application).
It should be reachable to markets in short/medium term.
Having the ability to establish and run a sustainable enterprise that can scale up and deploy the solution far and wide.

Evaluation Criteria for Applications

Identification of the market for the product and scale of the market is estimated.
Clear statements about strong business model/ outcomes & plans to infuse technologies.
Identification of suitable market partners/ channels.

Selection Process

The shortlisted candidates have to present their technologies and business plans to an Expert committee on finances and sectors. The committee will select the applicants based on the prospect of the product to reach and sustain in the market.

Milestones

The parameters used to evaluate the progress of the selected applicants through the stages from

prototype to commercialisation is known as Milestones. The committee will assign with milestones for selected applicants depending on the sector and nature of the proposal.

Method of Awarding Grants

The grants (up to

one crore) will be awarded in a maximum of three (3) tranches within 12 – 18 months, in the following way Tranche 1: Up to 30% of the grant amount recommended by the committee. Tranche 2: Up to 50% of the grant amount, while achieving milestones as recommended by the committee. Tranche 3: The remaining amount of the recommended grant, based on achievement of milestones as approved by the committee.

Eligible Expenditures

For bringing the product into the market, applicants are motivated to spend on the below heads.

Eligible Expenditure Also read, Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Encouragement Scheme (RGEES) Defence India Startup Challenge

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Atal New India Challenges.

The Atal New India Challenges (ANIC) program is an initiative launched by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to promote the development of innovative products and solutions based on cutting-edge technologies in areas of social and national importance. It aims to provide support and resources to help bring these innovations to market.

Entities eligible to apply for ANIC grants include MSMEs, startups, R&D organizations, academic institutions, innovators, and any Indian company incorporated under the Companies Act. Individuals looking to apply for their technologies or products should partner with entities capable of manufacturing, marketing, and scaling up their products.

ANIC has identified 24 focus areas, including sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, and others of social and national importance. The proposed products or solutions should address the needs of the nation in these focus areas.

Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as the potential of the proposed product to meet national needs, the ability to deploy an existing technology or prototype, the potential for short/medium-term market reach, and the ability to establish and run a sustainable enterprise that can scale up the solution.

Successful applicants can receive grants of up to one crore rupees (10 million rupees) through ANIC. The exact amount is decided by the AIM and ANIC committees based on the application and business plan.

ANIC grants are awarded in a maximum of three tranches within 12-18 months. The first tranche is up to 30% of the grant amount, the second tranche is up to 50% upon achieving milestones, and the third tranche is the remaining amount based on milestone achievement.

ANIC grants can be used for expenses related to bringing the product into the market, such as product development, testing and certifications, market research and marketing, intellectual property protection, and hiring skilled personnel.

In addition to financial grants, ANIC provides support to grantees through mentoring, guidance on marketing strategies, technical support, and expert guidance to help bring their products to market.

ANIC aims to address the "Commercialization Valley of Death," where innovators often struggle to access resources for piloting, testing, and market creation. ANIC provides support and resources to help innovators overcome this barrier and successfully commercialize their products.

ANIC aligns with the overall mission of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the country. By supporting the development and commercialization of innovative products and solutions, ANIC fosters an ecosystem that encourages innovation, provides opportunities for entrepreneurs, and drives economic growth in India.