Incubation
The Chief Minister’s E-Champion Challenge programme is a recurring annual event that gives a platform to all budding local talent while creating a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state.
Through this state-wide program, the most promising entrepreneurs are selected through a rigorous process of pitching in front of industry experts, successful entrepreneurs and government officials.
Out of a pool of 100 entrepreneurs, a group of 50 most promising entrepreneurs are selected to join the dedicated and structured 9-month intensive PRIME Startup Incubation Program. The TOP50 being part of the cohort enjoy the following benefits.
benefits to The TOP50 entrepreneurs
Business Support Grant- Rs. 2 Lakhs for Top 25 & Rs. 1 Lakh for bottom 25.
Recognition Certificate- Awarded from Meghalaya Government & IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.
Dedicated One-on-one mentoring with seasoned industry experts & professionals to handhold and guide the entrepreneur.
Capacity Building – Regular bootcamps, trainings and workshops related to entrepreneurial development to build a sustainable and growth-oriented business.
Access to Funding – Funding opportunities available under PRIME (Grant/ Loan/ Venture Capital, etc).
Access to Markets – Connect to buyers in and outside Meghalaya
Free Co-Working Space – Incubatees are offered free co-working space at the Hubs in Shillong & Tura.
Support on Marketing and Legal Services – Assistance on a variety of services from logo designing, website making, accounting, branding to legal advice on establishment of a Company.
Visibility & Networking – Strong visibility in local and national media outlets as well as social media channels.
Opportunity to collaborate with successful existing entrepreneurs of the State.
Incubated startups will be eligible for startup tools.
Exposure to global practices on Entrepreneurship to the most promising startup during the Incubation Program.
Bottom 50 will transition to the Pre-Incubation Program subject to qualification.
This program has the target to enable existing entrepreneurs to get their businesses to the next level and idea stage entrepreneurs to execute their business concepts at an accelerated pace. Selection of a new cohort of entrepreneurs is conducted once a year and will be widely announced on Social Media and newspapers. The participation is free of cost. The PRIME Startup Hubs are managed in collaboration with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) as the knowledge partners.