Also, do visit and join the unique Venture Center library, focused on technology innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization: http://www.vcenterlibrary.org/
(15th June 2010 – 31st July 2010)
Department of Biotechnology (DBT) invites proposals from Indian Biotechnology Companies under the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP), a Government partnership with industry for support on a cost sharing basis for development of novel and high risk futuristic technologies mainly for viability gap funding and enhancing existing R&D capacities. BIPP has been initiated under Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Programme (BIRAP), a unique initiative of DBT being implemented in partnership with ABLE and BCll to nurture R&D and innovation in Biotech Industry. Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCll) is the BIPP Management Agency and will ensure maintenance of strict confidentiality ofthe proposals as per DBT norms.
Key Features ofthe Programme
* Supports:
* Varying models of grants, loans or grant + loan available.
Who can apply?
A single or consortia of Indian “for profit” company (ies) – Small, Medium or Large having DSIR* recognized in-house R&D unit(s). An Indian Company is defined as one in which more than 51 % of the ownership is held by Indian citizens (including NRls).
The proposals can be submitted:
(*The companies who are in the process of obtaining DSIR recognition may also apply along with the proof of application to DSIR. However, the final decision on such applications would be subject to theirgefting DSIR recognition.)
How to Apply?
Proposals are required to be submitted online only. To submit a proposal online, please follow the following steps: .
Company User Registration is open round the clock. Online Proposal
Submission would begin from 15th June, 2010. No Hard Copy to be
submitted, Proposals submitted online only would be considered.
For details contact
Dr. Renu Swarup, Advisor Incharge BIPP, Department of Biotechnology,
Block No: 2, 7th ~Ioor, CGO Complex, lodi Road, New Delhi – 110003, India
Email: swarup@dbt.nic.in
Last date for submission Of Proposals – 31 st July, 2010
Detailed guidelines for the scheme Including eligible project categories to be
supported are available at http://dbtindia.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=680;
http://www.birapdbt.nic.in/programmes.php
Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation (Deadline: Ongoing)
The Rufford Small Grants Foundation provides grants of up to £6,000 for small-scale or pilot nature conservation projects in less-developed countries around the world. Projects must have a nature/biodiversity conservation focus and be located outside the first world. The Foundation’s scope of interest includes conservation work focused on threatened habitats; animals in their habitat; and other organisms such as plants, fungi, or insects.
Projects that offer opportunities to train local team members in the running of the project and that include an educational element for local communities are strongly preferred. Individuals or small groups are eligible to apply and applications can be made throughout the year. www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg
Courtesy : Behram Pastakia
The Government of India constituted the Technology Development Board (TDB) in September 1996,under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995, as a statutory body, to promote development and commercialization of indigenous technology and adaptation of imported technology for wider application. The board consists of 11 Board members. The Government reconstituted the Board in March 2000. The TDB is the first organization of its kind within the government framework with the sole objective of commercializing the fruit of indigenous research. The Board plays a pro active role by encouraging enterprises to take up technology oriented products.
Technology development board aims at accelerating the development and commercialisation of indegenous technology or adapting imported technology to wider domestice application.
The Board provides financial assistance in the form of equity soft loans or grants.
Click here to Download Funding Guidelines
Click Here to Read the Document of Technology Development Board Fund for Technology Development and Application Guidance for access to the fund.
All of us at some point or the other take loans like home loan, car loan, personal loan, etc, from financial institutions. You may, in some instances, also find that the loan does not get approved in spite of your satisfying the loan eligibility criteria. It is then obviously time to learn that financial institutions approve or reject loan applications based on your credit history as reflected by the ‘Consumer Credit Information Report’ (CIR) (http://www.cibil.com/accesscredit.htm) developed by the Credit Information Bureau of India Limited, CIBIL.
SBI launches new scheme to encourage SMEs
State Bank Of India (SBI) Has Launched A New Scheme, SBI Smile which will provide interest-free seed capital of up to Rs.10 lakh to budding entrepreneurs. The scheme is specially targeted to encourage small and medium enterprises and will be in place initially for one year, after which the bank could extend it, depending on the situation. Currently, banks give loans to the entrepreneurs only if they have a substantial capital to invest. The loan amount is around 70-80 percent of the total project cost. Under the new scheme, SBI will provide the seed capital and entrepreneur will also be able to seek a loan. Loan terms & interest rates will be determined as per the existing guidelines. The bank will offer a five-year moratorium on paying the seed capital amount. The bank, however, has not set any target for the amount it will expend under the scheme.
The “Technopreneur Promotion Programme” (TePP) was launched in 1998-99 by the Ministry of Science and Technology. TePP is operated by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) to tap the vast innovative potential of the citizen of India. TePP is a mechanism to promote indivudual innovators to become technology-based entrepreneurs (Technopreneurs).
Objectives
The TePP has the following objectives:
Activities
The activities under TePP include providing financial support to selected and screened individual innovators having original ideas for converting them into working models , prototypes and so on. TePP assistance is provided to the innovator to meet expenditure on the following:
TePP support to the innovators is limited to 90% of the total cost of the project & remaining 10% is to be borne by the innovator/inventor.
Click Here for more information on this unique program
Click Here for Technology Development and Innovation Programme (TDIP)
A blend of Social and Commercial Goals can make inclusive growth possible. Aavishkaar aims to harness the entrepreneurial spirit at the bottom of the pyramid to create inclusive economic development. They seek to empower 
disadvantaged and rural communities through infusion of commercial activities. Typically entrepreneurs who operate at the lower end of the economic spectrum are overlooked by financiers as they are categorized as being too small and risky.
Aavishkaar believes that not only do these entrepreneurs have potential to create widespread impact on local communities through boosting local production and creating livelihood opportunities but also provide attractive commercial returns. They have taken it upon themselves to be the leaders of micro equity investments to create scalable small entrepreneurs with significant social impact.
Understanding the urgency faced by the MSME units, Ministry of MSME, Government of India through NSIC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with us to provide Performance and Credit Rating services. The scheme was launched by the Honorable Finance Minister and is approved by Indian Banks Association (IBA). THE MINISTRY OF MSME IS OFFERING A SUBSIDY OF 75% ON THE ONICRA RATING FEE. The scheme is set to educate MSME units about financial matters.
Scheme Features
Onicra analyzes financial and operational performance, connects suppliers & buyers through our online market place and provides a holistic financial and IT solution for MSME development and progress. The rating process includes: a physical visit, collection, verification & authentication of data. Analysis is conducted, where facts are presented and reported. Our rating is accepted by Public Sector Banks & approved by Indian Banks Association (IBA).
Our MSME Rating & Services aim to address some of the challenges faced by these units:
Enterprisers.in 