Startup guidelines for technical textiles approved; 10 per cent of total grant-in-aid to incubators

In a major decision, the Ministry of Textiles on Tuesday approved the Startup Guidelines for Technical Textiles - Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT).

As a result, grant-in-aid up to Rs 50 lakhs can be provided up to a period of 18 months, informed Joint Secretary Textiles Rajeev Saxena.

At a presser held here on Tuesday on the important developments in the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), Saxena said the guidelines focus on supporting individuals and companies to translate prototype to technologies and products including commercialisation.

The GREAT Guidelines provides thrust in Technical Textiles’ application areas including Agro-textiles, Building-textiles, Geo-textiles, Home-textiles, Medical-textiles, Mobile-textiles, Packaging- textiles, Protective-textiles, Sports-textiles; Development of High-performance fibres and composites; Sustainable and Recyclable Textile materials; Smart Textiles using Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, 3D/4D Printing, and Rapid Prototyping; and Development of indigenous Machinery/Equipment/Instruments, among others, a PIB report read.

To incentivise the incubators, the Ministry will additionally provide 10% of total grant-in-aid to incubators. To strengthen authenticity and commitment towards the project, a minimum investment of 10 per cent of the funding from the incubatee in two equal installments has been mandated.