Q1) Is the program only for Agriculture and allied sector?

Ans) Yes, it is only for Agriculture and allied sector startups

Q2) Is there any minimum qualification criterion for enrolment in both the Programmes?

Ans) No, there is no such prescribed criterion. Programme is open for all entrepreneurial applicants irrespective of qualification

Q3) Is there any maximum age limit for the applicant?

Ans) There is no maximum age limit, however; the applicant should not be a minor.

Q4) Is it compulsory to attend two months training programme?

Ans) Yes, training is an integral part of both the programmes and
compulsory to attend.

Q5) Is it compulsory for the owner of the start-up to attend the training program or his/her team member can attend?

Ans) Founder or anyone from his/her core team members is permissible to attend the training. However, it is suggestive for the founder to attend the training programme.

Q6) What will be the Venue of the Training Program?

Ans) The venue for training will be, R-ABI, IIT (BHU) Varanasi.
(*Due to pandemic, currently the training is being held virtually.)

Q7) Will there be any stipend during the training? If yes, how it will be provided?

Ans) A stipend of INR 10,000 per month will be provided to Startups selected under Ankuran Program (Pre-seed stage) during a 2-months training program. It will be provided through NEFT in the name of the applicant.

(*Stipend will be provided only if the training program is held offline and not virtually).

Q8) What will be the Funding procedure?

Ans) After the completion of two months training programme, R-ABI, IIT (BHU) will monitor the progress of the startups and will forward the proposal of selected startups to the Ministry for funding.

Q9) Are only New Ideas invited?

Ans) Any idea/venture in Agri and allied sector which satisfies the DIPP definition of a startup is eligible to apply.

Q10) What is the source of funding under the programme?

Ans) Funding for the selected Start-ups and Agripreneur will come from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, GoI through R-ABI, IIT (BHU) Varanasi

Q11) What is the definition of a Start-up?

Ans) We consider DIPP definition of startup for this program

Q12) Will the training be provided in regional language?

Ans) The training will be provided in Hindi and English language

Q13) Do the Start-up which is not registered but operational can participate?

Ans) Yes, they can participate. However, they would need to register in order to be eligible for funding.

Q14) Is the programme only for people with background in agriculture?

Ans) Applicants from any academics background can apply but his/her
the project should be under Agriculture and Allied Sector.

Q15) What are the criteria to get selected for Grant in aid?

Ans) Start-ups showing growth in the period of two months and which can stand on the parameters of a selection of Internal committee of R-ABI, IIT (BHU) will be selected

Q16) Will the applicant receive 100% of the project cost as financial aid?

Ans) Under Agripreneurship Orientation Programme selected applicants will receive 90% of the project cost as financial aid (maximum Rs. 5 lakhs) while under Startup Agri-Business Incubation Programme selected applicants will receive 85% of the project cost as financial aid (maximum Rs. 25 lakhs).

Q17) What will be the phases of fund disbursement?

Ans) Fund will be disbursed to selected Startups in two tranches of 60% and 40% for the Ankuran Program (Pre-seed stage) and in three tranches of 40%, 40%, and 20% for the Prasfutan program (Seed stage program).