Implementing, Monitoring & Managing Entrepreneurship Training Programmes for NSTEDB, DST

Science and technology has come to acquire a unique place in the domain of entrepreneurship. Thinking out-of-the-box and being creative are some of the traits of a successful entrepreneur and have by far become the most distinguishing aspects of entrepreneurship. There is accent on instilling entrepreneurship with technology to create viable and futuristic enterprises.

The National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India has played a critical role towards spurring the adoption of science and technology in entrepreneurship.

To exclusively focus on science and technology based entrepreneurship, the Government of India under the aegis of Department of Science & Technology established the ‘National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB)’ in 1982. EDII got associated with NSTEDB, DST, Govt. of India as National Implementing and Monitoring Agency (NIMAT) to endorse and promote an interrelationship between entrepreneurship, technology and innovations to generate a knowledge driven entrepreneurial society.

Objectives of NIMAT Project:

With the following objectives, EDII has been implementing and monitoring various programmes under the project, across the country:

• Enlarge the supply of S&T entrepreneurs by injecting desired entrepreneurial skills for rapid industrial development
• Strengthen small and medium enterprises sector necessary for generation of employment
• Industrialize rural and disadvantaged regions for inclusive growth on the pillars of S&T entrepreneurship
• Provide gainful self-employment to educated young men and women for their empowerment and self-reliance through S&T entrepreneurship
• Train & motivate young students with S&T background to adopt entrepreneurship as a career
• Develop a cadre of faculty- trainers by conducting FDPs at various colleges and institutions offering science and technology related education

In the year 2008-09, NSTEDB, DST appointed EDII as its national nodal agency. Under DST-NIMAT Project, following programmes have been implemented by a number of institutions/organisations across the country, under the supervision of EDII:

• Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps (EACs)
• Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs)
• Women Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (WEDPs)
• Technology Based Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (TEDPs)
• Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs)

As National Implementing & Monitoring Agency of DST, EDII implements and monitors these programmes to ensure and sustain competitive advantages to a diverse group encompassing women, students, technocrats, academia, entrepreneurship trainers and policy makers.

DST-NIMAT Project – Growth over the Years

 The DST-NIMAT project has, over the years, shown overwhelming results, endorsing that technology based entrepreneurship is critical for growth. EDII co-opted resources and capabilities to ensure countrywide results. So far, 19125 activities/ programmes conducted comprising 13586 EACs, 1347 EDPs, 918 WEDPs, 1842 TEDPs and 1432 FDPs have been conducted across 28 states involving 641 institutions. 1047007 beneficiaries have been sensitized, 103080 entrepreneurs and 29611 trainers have been trained have been under various training programmes till date. As of 2019-20, 35511 units have been created and 142017 employment opportunities have been generated with Rs.6,39,077 lakh investment mobilized under the DST-NIMAT project.

New Generation Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Centres (NewGen IEDCs)

New Generation Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (NewGen IEDC) was a five-year programme launched by National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India aimed at inculcating the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among young Science & Technology (S&T) students. The focus was on channelizing the knowledge and energy of youth towards setting up innovative, forward-looking startups through training, guidance and mentorship.

NewGen IEDCs have been established in academic institutions of higher learning so that students can be encouraged to take up innovative projects that have the potential of commercialization.

As the National Nodal Agency of NSTEDB, Department of Science & Technology, EDII has mentored and supported 26 NewGen IEDCs located in 13 States across India. 1571 projects of students have been supported by EDII.

Science and Technology based Entrepreneurship Development (STED) Project:

With the scarcity of job openings for wage employment, there is a need to encourage youth for self-employment.  There are many youth willing to take up self-employment activities under proper professional guidance & support. EDII has implemented STED project in Nalbari, Assam, laying special emphasis on:

• developing process technology, setting up processing facility to produce value added products.
• upgrading / controlling quality technology of the existing tiny and cottage industry.
• developing appropriate delivery-cum-packaging system for increasing shelf life & timely reach in the market of the products.

In all, 475 existing / aspiring entrepreneurs have been trained of which 211 have started their enterprises and have generated employment for 823 local youth.

Innovation-Science and Technology based Entrepreneurship Development (i-STED) Project:

• The i-STED project connected S&T interventions and innovative solutions with entrepreneurial opportunities. For North East regions, the intervention became more meaningful as it also inspired individuals to overcome the hindering factors and adopt entrpreneurship as a career.
• Programmes on technology orientation, technology propagation, capacity building, entrepreneurship awareness, technology demonstration, and skill development, were conducted for the benefit of existing as well as potential entrepreneurs.
• 415 existing and potential entrepreneurs were mentored for growth, technology improvement and thus overall performance enhancement; 199 new enterprises came up under training, mentoring and guidance.

National Initiative on Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI):

Appointed by National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), DST, EDII as national nodal agency implemented and monitored the project – Student Startup under National Initiative on Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI).  Startup NIDHI focuses on supporting startups with initial/ignition funding.

• Under the scheme, a cash award of Rs. 10 lakh was given to each of the winning teams.
• To encourage and support students in taking up entrepreneurship as a career, additional award money of Rs. 2 lakh was given to the concerned IEDC / NewGen IEDC of the winning teams.

Sustainable Development through Science & Technology led Entrepreneurship in Aspirational Districts

Under the Government of India’s policy initiative for inclusive development and rapid transformation of 115 backward districts across the country, EDII has been entrusted by the Department of Science & Technology the task of conducting short-term Entrepreneurship Sensitization and Development Programmes (ESDPs) in 40 districts across the country. The five-day programmes aim at imparting knowledge on the benefits of pursuing entrepreneurship, and disseminating information about grants, incentives, and subsidies, provided by the government for enterprise creation.

• EDII followed a two-pronged approach wherein it conducted a baseline survey/area potential survey for business opportunity mapping, and followed this up with entrepreneurship sensitization and development programmes.
• All 40 District Survey Potential reports have been undertaken and an elaborate report has been submitted to DST.

National Training Programme on Entrepreneurship Development & Management for Scientists & Technologists working in Government Sector

 The world today beckons the technology-savvy. Technology helps commercialise ideas. It has become the be-all and the end –all when it comes to planning for success. And, technology when intertwined with entrepreneurship, delivers overwhelming results. The country’s cadre of scientists and technologists is most acclaimed; however, these are the intellectuals who function in their work spaces with limited focus on commercialising their innovations and discoveries. In order to introduce scientists and technologists to entrepreneurial competencies and abilities, EDII designed a special programme for scientists and technologists. The programme, National Training Programme on Entrepreneurship Development and Management for Scientists and Technologists with the Government Sector aims at sensitizing the participants about entrepreneurship and helping them realize the importance of innovative ventures. The programme also seeks to strengthen and develop their collaborative partnerships with national and international institutions while providing them with real world experience to bridge the gap between innovations and markets. Similar such programmes are also targeted exclusively at women scientists and technologists.

• 210 scientists/ researchers/ technologists have been trained as part of 9 programmes till now.
• 152 women have been sensitized and trained through 8 programmes till now.