Boman Irani is all set to host a business game show, The Pitch, that aims to encourage budding entrepreneurs. The 10-episode show will eliminate one contestant every day and the winner would be awarded Rs. 5 crores to start his business. The show which will be telecast on business news channel UTV Bloomberg, will shortlist 10 people with entrepreneurial skills.
Category: Motivations
Grand Challenges Explorations
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for Round 6 of Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to encourage innovative and unconventional global health solutions. Applicants can be at any experience level, in any discipline, and from any organization, including colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, non-profit organizations and for profit companies.
Grant proposals are being accepted online until November 2, 2010 on the following topics:
New! The Poliovirus Endgame: Create Ways to Accelerate, Sustain and Monitor Eradication
New! Create the Next Generation of Sanitation Technologies
New! Design New Approaches to Cure HIV Infection
Create New Technologies to improve the Health of Mothers and Newborns
Create Low-Cost Cell Phone-Based Applications for Priority Global Health Diseases
Initial grants will be US $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of up to US $1 million. Full descriptions of the new topics and application instructions are available at: http://www.grandchallenges.org/Pages/default.aspx
We are looking forward to receiving innovative ideas from around the world and from all disciplines. If you have a great idea, apply. If you know someone else who may have a great idea, please forward this message.
Thank you for your commitment to solving the world’s greatest health challenges.
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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people – especially those with the fewest resources – have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
Courtesy : Firdosh Roowalla
Tata Jagriti Yatra
Tata Jagriti Yatra
Selections open for 2010 – Apply NOW
Tata Jagriti Yatra is an annual train journey that that takes hundreds of India’s highly motivated youth (with some participation of international students) between the ages of 20-25 and experienced professionals with age above 25, on a eighteen day national odyssey, introducing them to unsung heroes of India. The aim is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship – both social and economic – within India’s youth by exposing them to individuals and institutions that are developing unique solutions to India’s challenges. Through this national event we have begun to inspire the youth of India to lead and develop institutions both nationally and within their communities.
Vision
The vision of Tata Jagriti Yatra is to inspire young Indians living in the middle of the Indian demographic diamond (Rs 40-Rs 120 per day) to lead development by taking to enterprise. By doing so, they can turn from being job seekers to job creators. Apart from this economic argument, they also discover a purpose that is appropriate for their talents. Only if we create a movement around enterprise led development will India’s youth employment and development issues will be resolved.
How to get Involved
We are seeking to engage individuals both within and outside India as well as Indian and international institutions and corporations. You are welcome to associate as a sponsor, participant or both and there are various avenues to do so. As a sponsor, your contributions will go towards our long term goal of create a 100% cost free participation for all deserving participants. You can directly sponsor a participant or donate towards the ongoing support operations around the Yatra. Jagriti’s parent body the Jagriti Sewa Sansthan is an 80G Non-Governmental Organization in India and your donation is accordingly tax deductible.Individuals are encouraged to sponsor participants through multiples of Rs.32,000.00 which the amount to fund each participant. Smaller amounts can be donated towards raising funds for any participant. If necessary, profiles of deserving participants who have qualified through our selection process are available. Please enquire with us for further details.
Foundations and Institutions are welcome to donate generously towards the operating costs of the Yatra. We will be happy to issue you with a summary of activities that your support is helping us deliver. Corporate sponsorships are available through various packages. Please see the details in the links below and contact us for further information.
If you wish to join the Yatra as a facilitator, you need to qualify through our selection process. Please register through our site and will be in touch with you.
To find out how you can contribute and participate in the Yatra, please select a link below which represents who you are:
Help us inspire the next path breaking entrepreneurs of modern India. Get involved now.
IdeasXchange
If you have an idea that needs another brain to make it work; or a prototype that needs an out-of-box solution; or a start-up that needs investment advice, this is your place. IdeasXchange is a great new discussion forum that leverages the collective intelligence of fellow entrepreneurs, investors, mentors and even dreamers. Hop on!
India Innovation Initiative -i3-2010
Call for Application for India Innovation Initiative 2010 – Last date 15th July 2010
Call for Application for India Innovation Initiative -i3-2010
Objective
The objective of the India Innovation Initiative project is to create an innovation eco-system in the country by sensitizing, encouraging and promoting innovators and facilitating commercialization of the innovations.
Who can participate ?
Participation is open to all innovators in the age group of 18 years and above.
This includes :
All colleges, universities and Institutes.
Innovators from R&D Institutions and Labs.
Entrepreneurs, Industry professionals and Freelance Innovators.
Grassroot Innovators through NGOs and Rural development organizations.
Important dates in snapshot
1. Start Date of Registration May 2010
2. Last date for receiving entries 15th July 2010.
3. Announcement of shortlisted names for the regional Fairs 3rd week of August
4. Regional Fairs 15-30 Sept, 2010
5. i3 National Fair End of October, 2010
To promote and inculcate a spirit of innovation in India, many steps have been taken by both the government of India as well as by Industry leaders to encourage application of breakthrough technology ideas in the society.
Addressing the need to expand the young innovators initiative to those above 18 years &include a wider scope of participation from all potential innovators, CII &DST have now joined hands with Agilent to launch the nation-wide innovation competition for all innovators above the age group of 18+, “India Innovation Initiative – i3″.
i3 aims to capture the innovative ideas from the Indian innovators in the age group of 18 years and above, including students, innovators from R&D Institutes &Labs, Industry professionals and individual innovators/Entrepreneurs, grassroots innovators etc.
After the last year’s great response i3 this year has decided to have four regional fairs for preliminary selection of innovations which it will receive from all over India. Each region will shortlist innovations based on creativity, innovation, implementation strategy and relevance.
We expect to receive over 500 innovations per region. Innovations will be selected by a Novelty search which will be conducted by APTDC and TNTDPC .Only those innovations which are patented or have the high potential of being patented will be selected for the Regional Fairs.
Further the most potent and relevant innovations ( approx.40 ) will be selected for the national i3 fair by a panel of expert jury. The winners will be chosen at the National Fair once again by a panel of eminent jury.
Their will be cash prizes, awards, recognition and support to winners.
Evaluation will be based on:
i) Maturity level of the innovation
ii) Business Potential
To participate and know more about this registration procedures visit – http://bit.ly/b2lUCY
Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
(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:
- Large, medium, small scale companies; start-ups on cost sharing basis
- High risk, discovery linked innovation
- Accelerated technology development
- Evaluation and validation of biotech products
- Indigenous discovery, innovation and technology to products
- Products of national relevance or public benefit
* 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:
- solely by an Indian Company; or
- jointly by an Indian Company and National R&D Organizations or Institutions; or
- by ‘a group of Indian Companies along with National Research Organizations etc.
(*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: .
- Log on the BIRAPwebsite (www.birapdbt.nic.in)
- If you are a registered user, log-on using the credentials, else you need to register your company with by clicking on New User Registration.
- In case of new user registration, a computer generated password would be sent to the email-id provided atthetlme ofreqlsfratlon.The password can be changed later.
- Once you login, you would be navigated to the page displaying BIPP link.
- Click on the BIPP link under Programmes and the active call would be highlighted.
- Click on the new call and proceed towards proposal submission.
- Further details on How to submit a proposal would be available in the BIPP User Guide available on the website.
- The proposals should be submitted on or before 31 st July, 2010.
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
Why we do business ?
Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik, Chief Belief Officer , Future Group delivered this enriching PowerTalk at the Enterprising India TiE Entrepreneurial Summit at Mumbai in Dec 2009.
In this video you can see him talk about the sensitivity one should have while running a business and importance of asking ‘WHY’ in addition to the ‘WHAT’ and ‘HOW’ that we usually focus on.
Technopreneur Promotion Programme (TePP)
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:
- To promote and support untapped creativity of individual innovators
- To assist the individual innovators to become technology based enterpreneurs
- To assist the technopreneur in networking and forge linkages with other constituents of the innovation chain for commercialization of their developments.
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:
- R&D/Engineering consultancy
- Procure small equipment,tools etc. required
- Raw Material/ Accessories (for prototype/process trials),
- Fabrication cost (for prototypes)
- Patent guidance and support
- Manpower
- Testing & Trials
- Any other relevant costs
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)
Do what you love doing, enjoy and make money !
Gary Vaynerchuk (Wine Library), Building Personal Brand Within the Social Media Landscape – Do what you love doing, enjoy and make money !
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Ratan Tata and the flat tire
One of Mr. Ratan N Tata’s first assignments was the stewardship of the ailing electronics company in the Tata portfolio – Nelco.
Story goes that a team of senior managers from Nelco was driving to Nasik along with RNT. Halfway into the journey, the car had a flat tire, and as the driver pulled up, the occupants – including Mr. Tata – got off for a comfort break, leaving the driver to replace the tire.
Some of the managers welcomed the forced break, as it allowed them a much-needed chance to light up a cigarette. Some used the opportunity to stretch, and smile, and share a joke. And then, one of them suddenly noticed that Mr. Tata was not to be seen, and wondered aloud where Ratan Tata might have vanished.
Was he behind some bush?
Had he wandered off inside the roadside dhaba for a quick cup of tea?
Or was he mingling with some passer-bys, listening to their stories? None of these, in fact while his colleagues were taking a break, Ratan Tata was busy helping the driver change tires. Sleeves rolled up, tie swatted away over the shoulder, the hands expertly working the jack and the spanner, bouncing the spare tire to check if the tire pressure was ok. Droplets of sweat on the brow, and a smile on the face. In that moment, the managers accompanying Ratan Tata got a master class in leadership they haven’t forgotten. And that’s a moment that the driver of that car probably hasn’t forgotten either.
Questions to ask: When was the last time I rolled up my sleeves to do a task much below my hierarchy?
Do I wait for the big opportunity to showcase my leadership?
Is that big opportunity ever going to come?
Am I trying to manage upwards so much that I’ve lost the feel of the field?
Ideas for action: Practice leadership in small things instead of waiting for the big crisis or a major product launch.
Seek to find opportunities to lead in everyday moments.
Build your leadership skills one baby step at a time.
Or was he mingling with some passer-bys, listening to their stories? None of these, in fact while his colleagues were taking a break, Ratan Tata was busy helping the driver change tires. Sleeves rolled up, tie swatted away over the shoulder, the hands expertly working the jack and the spanner, bouncing the spare tire to check if the tire pressure was ok. Droplets of sweat on the brow, and a smile on the face. In that moment, the managers accompanying Ratan Tata got a master class in leadership they haven’t forgotten. And that’s a moment that the driver of that car probably hasn’t forgotten either.
Questions to ask: When was the last time I rolled up my sleeves to do a task much below my hierarchy?
Do I wait for the big opportunity to showcase my leadership?
Is that big opportunity ever going to come?
Am I trying to manage upwards so much that I’ve lost the feel of the field?
Ideas for action: Practice leadership in small things instead of waiting for the big crisis or a major product launch.
Seek to find opportunities to lead in everyday moments.
Build your leadership skills one baby step at a time.
Courtesy : Sam Billimoria
Enterprisers.in 