Student Entrepreneurship Policy Grants


The Higher Education Department, Government of Gujarat, in association with EDII, awarded startup grants to students under the Student Entrepreneurship Policy at an event held on the EDII campus.

  • The selection process began with 838 students who had been trained by 426 faculty members, and these faculty members being trained under EDII through 10 comprehensive training programmes. This training ensures that students receive high-quality guidance and support.
  • Out of the 460 students nominated by the trained faculty members, their ideas were refined, and they received further training to pitch their concepts before a selected panel. This panel comprised EDII faculty, the principal or nodal officer of the host institute, an expert from i-Hub, and officials from the Higher Education Department, Government of Gujarat.
  • The rigorous selection process culminated in business ideas receiving grants, providing these young entrepreneurs with the initial capital necessary to launch their ventures. The policy encourages and supports young entrepreneurs, helping them turn their innovative business ideas into reality.
  • This initiative significantly impacted the entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing financial assistance to innovative ideas proposed by college students, fostering their startup ventures. As several students were inspired, there were enquiries galore, post event.
  • This initiative successfully encouraged a culture of innovation among college students. The exposure and support provided have motivated students to think creatively and pursue entrepreneurial ventures, leading to the development of unique and impactful business ideas.

Key Highlights of the Phase 1 Implementation of the Programme

The highlights of the Phase 1 implementation of the programme conducted from December 2023 to February 2024 are:

At the end of Phase I of the programme, 133 students was identified as eligible to receive funding from the Commissionerate of Higher Education, Government of Gujarat.

Total funds disbursed is Rs. 53,20,000/-

EDII has trained 426 Nodal Officers and 835 students from various technical and higher education institutions across Gujarat.

Shri Praful Pansheriya, Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs of Gujarat, presented grant awards to 133 students on March 12, 2024, during an event organized by CHE and EDII.

Each of these 133 students was given Rs. 40,000/- as a grant.

The two-day Nodal Officer training programmes were conducted at the EDII campus, and the student five-day EDTPs were conducted in 19+ locations in Gujarat.

The successful completion of Phase 1 underscores the commitment of CHE and EDII toward realizing the objectives outlined in the Student Entrepreneurship Policy. This phase not only facilitated capacity building among Nodal Officers and Students but also paved the way for tangible support and investment in budding entrepreneurs, laying a strong foundation for future entrepreneurial endeavors in Gujarat.

 

A Brief Overview of the Phase 1 Implementation of the Programme

Two-Day Nodal Officer Training Programme

The Nodal Officer Training Program was meticulously designed to equip faculties with the necessary skills and knowledge to catalyze the development of entrepreneurship culture within their institutions. Through a combination of pedagogical approaches and comprehensive topics, the program aimed to empower faculties to sensitize students towards entrepreneurship and facilitate their journey towards becoming successful entrepreneurs.

Figure: Pedagogy covered during Nodal Officer Training Programme

Concept Discussions

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Identification of Potential Entrepreneur
  • Business Ideation/Opportunity Identification

Handholding Mechanism

  • Sensitization
  • Business Counselling
  • Setting up Entrepreneurship Development Cell

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

  • State and Central Govt. Policy Framework
  • Schemes for Startups
  • Action Plan
Concept Discussions: Understanding entrepreneurship and business ideation.
Handholding Mechanism: Supporting new entrepreneurs with guidance and resources.
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Government policies and startup schemes for business growth.

Table: Batch-wise break up of the Nodal Officer Training Programme

Batch Start Date End Date Male Female Total
Batch-1 11-12-2023 12-12-2023 37 10 47
Batch-2 13-12-2023 14-12-2023 43 6 49
Batch-3 20-12-2023 21-12-2023 36 5 41
Batch-4 22-12-2023 23-12-2023 38 12 50
Batch-5 26-12-2023 27-12-2023 36 13 49
Batch-6 28-12-2023 29-12-2023 47 5 52
Batch-7 02-01-2024 03-01-2024 32 3 35
Batch-8 04-01-2024 05-01-2024 21 8 29
Batch-9 08-01-2024 09-01-2024 41 4 45
Batch-10 11-01-2024 12-01-2024 23 6 29
Total 354 72 426

Figure: Demographic representation of the Nodal Officer Training Programme

Male Female

Figure: Showing the institution-wise representation of Nodal Officers

Table: Faculty participation from different universities

SN Name of University/Institution No. of Participants
1 Gujarat University, Ahmedabad 69
2 Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan 66
3 Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat 64
4 Saurashtra University, Rajkot 57
5 Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad 36
6 Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University, Junagadh 31
7 Sardar Patel University, Anand 31
8 Shri Govind Guru University, Panchmahal 31
9 Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar 12
10 Others 10
11 Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University, Kachchh 9

Five-Day Student Entrepreneurship Development Training Programs (EDTP)

The Entrepreneurship Development Training Programme (EDTP) for students marks a pivotal step in fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among the youth of Gujarat. Led by faculty members from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), this five-day program aims to equip nominated students with the essential skills, knowledge, and mindset required to embark on their entrepreneurial journey.

Figure: Demographic representation of students

Figure: Location-wise representation of training conducted

Topics covered (a snap-shot of the five-day time-table)
SN Day 01 Day 02 Day 03 Day 04 Day 05
1 Programme Inauguration Idea to Business Ideas Govt. of Gujarat Policy Framework to Promote Entrepreneurship Understanding Working Capital Interaction with Entrepreneur
2 Introduction to Entrepreneurship Group exercise on idea generation – creativity and innovation Market Survey - Tools and Techniques Financial Management of MSME How to develop and write a Business Plan
3 Types of Business Achievement Motivation – Soft skill development Social media – Digital Marketing Business Feasibility Analysis Group presentation by students on Business Ideas
4 Business Opportunities Identification and Selection Charms of being an Entrepreneur Understanding Business Plan Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
5 Funding Strategies Competencies of Entrepreneur Information and Documents to Avail Govt. Support (Mudra Loan) Funding Assistance and Credit Linkage
Table: Location of EDTP Batch-wise
Sr. No Location Venue Completed Training
1 Ahmedabad M. G. Science College, Ahmedabad
H. L. Commerce College, Ahmedabad
KCG, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
17
28
95
2 Gandhinagar EDII Campus, Gandhinagar 69
3 Navsari S B Garda, Navsari 43
4 Surat P. T. Science College, Surat 42
5 Patan L.N.K. College of Education (CTE), Patan 33
6 Anand Shri R K Parikh Arts & Science College, Anand
N. S. Patel Arts College, Anand
58
64
7 Rajkot A.M.P. Law College, Rajkot
H. & H.B. Kotak Institute of Science, Rajkot
39
44
8 Bhavnagar L.R. Valia Arts and P.R. Mehta Commerce College, Bhavnagar 54
9 Junagadh Bahauddin Government Arts College, Junagadh 56
10 Surendranagar M.P. Shah Commerce College, Surendranagar 49
11 Bharuch Narmada College of Science and Commerce, Zadeshwar, Bharuch 48
12 Amreli Kamani Science & Prataprai Arts College, Amreli 54
13 Baroda M. S. University, Baroda 41
Total 835
Table: Batch-wise Distribution of Students
Batches Start Date End Date Venue Total Participants
Batch-1 01.01.2024 05.01.2024 KCG, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad 49
Batch-2 08.01.2024 12.01.2024 KCG, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad 46
Batch-3 16.01.2024 20.01.2024 EDII Campus, Gandhinagar 55
Batch-4 23.01.2024 29.01.2024 EDII Campus, Gandhinagar 14
Batch-5 23.01.2024 29.01.2024 S B Garda, Navsari 43
Batch-6 23.01.2024 29.01.2024 P. T. Science College, Surat 42
Batch-7 23.01.2024 29.01.2024 L.N.K. College of Education (CTE), Patan 33
Batch-8 23.01.2024 29.01.2024 Shri R K Parikh Arts & Science College, Anand 58
Batch-9 23.01.2024 29.01.2024 H. & H.B. Kotak Institute of Science, Rajkot 44
Batch-10 01.02.2024 06.02.2024 N. S. Patel Arts College, Anand 64
Batch-11 01.02.2024 06.02.2024 L.R. Valia Arts and P.R. Mehta Commerce College, Bhavnagar 54
Batch-12 01.02.2024 06.02.2024 A.M.P. Law College, Rajkot 40
Batch-13 01.02.2024 06.02.2024 Bahauddin Government Arts College, Junagadh 56
Batch-14 01.02.2024 06.02.2024 M.P. Shah Commerce College, Surendranagar 49
Batch-15 05.02.2024 09.02.2024 Narmada College of Science and Commerce, Zadeshwar, Bharuch 48
Batch-16 05.02.2024 09.02.2024 Kamani Science & Prataprai Arts College, Amreli 54
Batch-17 12.02.2024 16.02.2024 M. G. Science College, Ahmedabad 17
Batch-18 12.02.2024 16.02.2024 H. L. Commerce College, Ahmedabad 28
Batch-19 12.02.2024 16.02.2024 M. S. University, Baroda 41
Total 835
Table: Stream-wise participation of students from various colleges
SN Stream Specialization Students (number) Students (%)
1 B.A. 213 26%
2 B.COM. 268 32%
3 B.Sc. 122 15%
4 B.B.A. 11 1%
5 B.Ed 15 2%
6 B.Tech 1 0.1%
7 BCA 1 0.1%
8 BRS 7 1%
9 Diploma 7 1%
10 LLB 32 4%
11 M.A 4 0%
12 M.Sc 13 2%
13 M.Com 6 1%
14 Others 135 16%
Total 835
Table: Showing the category-wise participation of students
SN Category Students (number) Students (%)
1 General EWS 9 1%
2 General 294 35%
3 OBC 343 41%
4 SC 94 11%
5 SEBC 1 0.1%
6 ST 78 9%
7 Open 16 2%
Total 835

Submission of Business Proposals

Following the completion of their training, the trained students were tasked with developing a comprehensive business proposal plan. This business proposal encompassed all crucial aspects of entrepreneurship, ranging from opportunity identification to funding sources and their planned utilization. To facilitate this process, students were allotted a specific time frame to prepare and submit their business proposals via a Google link, with approvals coordinated through their respective Nodal Officers. Students were also given a thorough understanding of how to fill this business proposal during the training itself.

The submitted business proposals ranged from various traditional to sunrise sectors, including:

 

Evaluation of Submitted Business Proposals

Subsequently, a team of designated experts was assembled to evaluate these submitted business proposals. During this evaluation phase, students were required to present their business ideas to the expert panel. The pitch presentations were held across different locations in the state. The evaluation process was conducted based on predefined assessment parameters, wherein scoring was carried out to assess the viability and potential of each proposal. The panel consisted of EDII faculty members, a representative from CHE, a Nodal Officer/ Principal from different colleges, and a representative from i-Hub (nominated by CHE).