National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)
Introduction The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) is a comprehensive umbrella programme launched in 2016. It was developed by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Division (NSTEDB) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST). The main goal of this initiative is to build a strong ecosystem for science and technology-based startups across India.
Vision and Objectives
NIDHI is designed to align with national priorities such as wealth creation and job generation. By using three decades of experience in promoting startups, the DST aims to nurture innovations through three key stages: scouting (finding ideas), supporting (helping them grow), and scaling (expanding them). It focuses on turning creative ideas into successful businesses that contribute to national development.
Key Components of the NIDHI Programme
To support an entrepreneur from a simple idea to a global company, NIDHI operates through nine specialized components:
- NIDHI-GCC (Grand Challenges and Competitions): These are national-level competitions designed to scout and identify innovative ideas from across the country.
- NIDHI-PRAYAS (Promotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring Technology Entrepreneurs): This component provides support to innovators to help them move from the “Idea to Prototype” stage. It gives them the physical space and funding to build a working model of their invention.
- NIDHI-EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence): This provides a support system or a small stipend to talented individuals to reduce the financial risk of quitting a job to start a business.
- Startup-NIDHI: This is implemented through Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres (IEDCs) in colleges. It specifically encourages students to promote and start their own ventures while still studying.
- Start-up Centre: Established in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD), these centres aim to build a spirit of entrepreneurship within National Institutions of Higher Learning.
- NIDHI-TBI (Technology Business Incubator): These are specialized centres that provide the necessary infrastructure and mentoring to convert innovations into startups.
- NIDHI-Accelerator: This stage is for existing startups that need a “fast track” to growth. It provides intensive, focused intervention to help them scale up quickly.
- NIDHI-SSS (Seed Support System): One of the biggest challenges for a new business is money. This component provides early-stage investment (Seed funding) to help startups handle their initial expenses.
- NIDHI-CoE (Centres of Excellence): These are world-class facilities designed to help successful Indian startups go global and compete in international markets.
The NIDHI programme acts as a complete support system for the modern Indian inventor. By providing everything from initial competition prizes to global scaling facilities, the government ensures that no good scientific idea is lost due to a lack of money or guidance. This initiative is a vital pillar in making India a global hub for innovation and technology-driven businesses.
