MANAGE-CIA RKVY-RAFTAAR Student Orientation Program (SOP) Cohort 15

About this grant

The Student Orientation Program (SOP) under the RKVY-RAFTAAR initiative, implemented by the MANAGE Centre for Innovation and Agripreneurship (CIA), is designed to support students in transforming innovative agribusiness ideas into viable prototypes, products, or services. This program plays a foundational role in nurturing early-stage entrepreneurial talent by equipping participants with both technical and business-oriented capabilities. The SOP provides a structured pathway for students to validate their ideas through a combination of mentorship, hands-on training, and exposure to real startup environments. Selected participants undergo an intensive mentoring and internship experience with startups in agriculture and allied sectors. This immersion allows them to understand market dynamics, operational challenges, and strategic decision-making processes critical to building a sustainable agribusiness. Following successful completion of the orientation phase, participants are given the opportunity to pitch their ideas for grant-in-aid support of up to ₹4 lakh. This financial assistance is intended to help convert early-stage ideas into tangible prototypes or minimum viable products. The funding can cover key activities such as product development, validation, and initial market testing. The program also contributes to building a pipeline of innovation-driven entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector by encouraging students to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path. It integrates ecosystem support through mentorship, incubation exposure, and access to domain experts, thereby strengthening the overall agritech innovation landscape in India.

Eligibility requirements

All of the following criteria must be met:

• Applicants must be students with an innovative idea in the agribusiness sector
• The idea should be based on technology, process, service, or business platforms
• The idea must aim to improve efficiency in agriculture or allied sectors
• Applicants must have an initial business plan or proposal
• Open to individuals proposing early-stage ideas (no startup incorporation required)
• Application Process
• Submit online application through the prescribed form
• Applications are screened by MANAGE-CIA based on idea quality and innovation potential
• Shortlisted candidates are selected by the Centre of Excellence Incubation Committee (CIC)
• Selected participants undergo one-month orientation with training and internship
• After completion, participants pitch their ideas for grant-in-aid support
• Final funding decision is based on evaluation of idea viability and performance during the program

What the funding covers

• Funding: Upto: ₹4 Lakhs

How to apply

1. 1Apply online at https://www.startupgrantsindia.com/manage-cia-rkvy-raftaar-student-orientation-program-cohort-15-418

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