“Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)” guidelines were launched under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) with an objective to support start-up ecosystem in the country by assisting young innovators, scientists/technologists, and startup ventures in the field of Technical Textiles to translate their ideas into commercial technologies/products. Under the GREAT guidelines, a maximum support of Rs. 50 lakh is provided to each approved start-up. The State-wise details of the approved start-ups are given below:

The Start-ups are selected in accordance with the eligibility criteria prescribed in the GREAT guidelines, details of which are given below. Further, the start-ups approved under GREAT guidelines of NTTM covers a wide spectrum of technology domains, including advanced functional textiles such as temperature-responsive and self-sanitizing fabrics, smart textiles featuring graphene-based materials, energy-harvesting fabrics, shape-memory wearables for healthcare, high-performance composites for automotive, construction, and defence applications. They also encompass sustainable, bio-based innovations such as hemp–bioplastic composites, biodegradable tire yarns, and algae-derived leather, as well as medical and healthcare solutions including surgical simulators and antimicrobial textile technologies.

A Review and Monitoring Committee has been constituted under the Scheme to assess and oversee the progress of the approved Start-ups. Further, public events, workshops, seminars and outreach activities are organized under the scheme nationwide, to facilitate industry engagement for scaling up the potential start-up projects as well as disseminate information about the scheme.

Extracts of Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) guidelines

Eligibility Criteria:

For individual applicant:

1. 1. 1. The individual applicant should be an Indian citizen of minimum age of 21 years on the day of application (defined in section 11).
      2. The primary applicant should be the Project Leader (as per Section 5) and shall be responsible for all communication and decision making related to the grant.
      3. The applicant must be incubated in an Incubator. At the time of application, the applicant is expected to have identified an Incubator. Agreement with the Associated Incubator is required for the final approval by Empowered Programme Committee (EPC).
      4. If the applicant is under formal employment/associated (or a student/researcher) with an academic or research organization, then the applicant must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the previous employer or head of institution as the case may be, clearly indicating that the applicant:
         • Is allowed to applyforthe GREATgrant and thereisno conflictwith the current duties/obligations of the applicant and the scheme of GREAT grant.
         • Accept funding support (if successful) as an individual.
         • Manage the funds in individual capacity under Central Nodal Account (CNA) mechanism of Government of India.
         • Can create an Enterprise.
      5. Alternatively, the applicant needs to provide an Undertaking that he/she plans to terminate his/her association with the current employer and take up the project full time in the event of the grant approval. An approved resignation/ relieving/ retirement letter shall be required before the release of the grant.
      6. The individual must have a registered company/start-up before release of the grant.
      7. If the applicant is formally employed withafor-profitStartup Company,
         • The application should be submitted under Start-up Company; or
         • Alternatively, the applicant needs to provide an undertaking that he/she plans to terminate his/her association with the current employer and take up the project full time in the event of the grant approval (An approved resignation/ relieving/ retirement letter will be required before the release of the grant).
      8. Individual who is a promoter/shareholder of a Technical Textiles’ Startup Company shall not be eligible to apply as an individual, irrespective of the percentage of shareholding in the Startup Company. In such a case, the application can be submitted through Startup Company, if the Startup Company meets the required eligibility criteria as detailed below.

ForStartup Company:

• • • i. The Startup should be incorporated as a private limited company or registered as a partnership firm or a limited liability partnership with a turnover less than INR 100 Crores in any of the previous financial years.

1. 1. 2. The Startup should be working towards innovation/ improvement of existing products, services and processes and should have the potential to generate employment/ create wealth. An entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business shall not be considered a "Startup".
      3. The Company should be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956/2013.
      4. The incorporation date of the Company should not be greater than 5 years at the time of applying for GREAT call for application submission.
      5. A minimum of 51% of the capital should be owned by resident Indian citizen(s) / or Indian companies which are ultimately owned and controlled by resident Indian citizen(s) to be qualified for the GREAT application.
      6. Startup Company’s application should be represented by a Project Leader (defined in section 5).
      7. The Startup Company should have adequate and functional R&D facility to execute the project, or they must be associated/incubated at an incubator for the project.
      8. If an applicant Startup Company, in which any promoter holding more than or equal to 20% of the shares, is a co-promoter or a partner of another ineligible Startup Company, then the applicant shall not be eligible.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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MAM/VN

(Rajya Sabha US Q1753)