ASPIRE

ASPIRE has been launched on 16.03.2015 with an objective to set up a network of technology centers, incubation centers to accelerate entrepreneurship and also to promote start-ups for innovation and entrepreneurship in rural and agriculture based industry with a fund of Rs.210 crores

  • The planned outcomes of ASPIRE are setting up Technology Business Incubators (TBI), Livelihood Business Incubators (LBI) and creation of a Fund of Funds for such initiatives with SIDBI.
  • 1st LBI set up in April-2015 under ASPIRE within a month of launching the Scheme. The first batch of 107 youth has been trained and skilled through it.
  • 19 LBIs have been approved till September 2015 and another 9 LBIs & 2 TBI is ready to be approved.

Nature of assistance

80 Livelihood business incubators to be set up by NSIC, KVIC or Coir Board or any other Institution/agency of GoI/State Govt. on its own or by any of the agency/Scheme for promotion of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Agro-Industry organization of the M/o MSME, one-time grant of 100% of cost of Plant & Machinery other than the land and infrastructure or an amount up to Rs.100 lakhs whichever is less to be provided. In case of incubation centers to be set up under PPP mode with NSIC, KVIC or Coir Board or any other Institution/agency of GoI/State Govt., one- time grant of 50% of cost of Plant & Machinery other than the land and infrastructure or Rs.50.00 lakhs, whichever is less to be provided. Assistance towards the training cost of incubates will be met out of the ATI scheme of the Ministry as far as possible for both centers.

Who can apply

Implement the Incubationand Commercialization of Business Ideas Programme through technical/research institutes including those in the field of agro based industry. These would be designated as Knowledge Partners and would incubate new/existing technologies for their commercialization. To provide funds for the incubator/incubation and create necessary synergy between this scheme and the Livelihood Business Incubators/Technology Business Incubators and Incubation schemes of MSME/NSIC/KVIC/Coir Board/ Other Ministries/Departments as well as Private incubators.

How to apply

Application can be sent to Aspire Scheme Steering Committee of Ministry of MSME. Scheme Steering Committee will be responsible for overall policy, coordination, and management support. The Council will be chaired by Secretary, Ministry of MSME.