Ideation
Screening & supporting ideas, proof of concepts, designs of entrepreneurs in agriculture through specialized programs.
a-IDEA (Association for Innovation Development of Entrepreneurship in Agriculture), is a Technology Business Incubator(TBI) hosted by National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM), Hyderabad & supported by NSTEDB, DST & BIRAC, DBT of Govt. of India (GOI). a-IDEA, since 2014 has been supporting startups across 14 domains of agriculture and allied sectors. a-IDEA has helped entrepreneurs to sensitize, ideate, incubate and accelerate their innovative early-stage startups that are scalable to become competitive food and agri-business ventures through capacity building, mentoring, networking, business support services, investment and advisory support. These startups supported by a-IDEA are in turn disrupting the value chains of agriculture across farm gate to food plate, thereby impacting the lives of farmers, rural and urban stakeholders.
About ICAR-NAARM
The National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) is the only institution of its kind in the world focusing on capacity building in agricultural research and education management. It was established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1976 at Hyderabad. The primary objective of NAARM is to enhance individual and institutional capacities in National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) for innovation and sustainable agricultural development.
Our Accomplishments
March: Agri Bionest Seed Fund
May: National Award for Emerging Technology Business Incubator
March: Equity seed investments in 3 early stage agri startups.
May: Launch of BioNest – An Agri Bioincubator for Agribiotech startups
August: Launch of AGRI UDAAN – Food & Agribusiness Accelerator 2.0
March: 1st equity investment in Agri startup.
June: Launch of sensitization workshops for
July: Launch of boot camp for Startup Samvaad, a Boot camp for early stage agri startups.
September: Launch of KrishiKalp, an ideation program for agricultural students.
May: Launch of India’s first Food &Agri Business Accelerator program
September: Launch of Incubation Program for early stage Agri startups
October: Accelerator Demo day, 3 startups funded ~2.3Cr INRfrom corporate CSR & Angel Investors
December: Raised 2cr seed investment funds through NSTEDB, DST
July: a-IDEA registration was formed
November: DST grant released for a-IDEA
December: Dedicated facility for a-IDEA incubator at NAARM
What We Offer
Incubation
Nurturing & Supporting early stage agriculture startups through access to office & farm space, capacity building, networking.
Acceleration
Upscaling technology-based agriculture startups through mentoring, networking, pitching & funding facilitation.
Our Connects
Mentors
Access to mentors having the unique blend of knowledge & expertise in Agriculture, technology & Agribusiness.
Supporting Organizations
Backed by development & funding agencies focused in Agriculture, Research & Entrepreneurship development.
ICAR & SAU Institutes
Connects to 101+ Agri-Research Institutes, 70+ State Agricultural Universities & ~ 650 Krishi Vigyan Kendras of ICAR.