Beginning with a recent development, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), an initiative of NITI Aayog, has launched AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers on Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship). This article provides comprehensive information about AIM, its objectives, achievements, and the new program, AIM-PRIME.
About Atal Innovation Mission
The Atal Innovation Mission is the Government of India’s flagship initiative aimed at fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship across the nation. Created with the intention to stimulate innovative ideas, the mission seeks to develop new programs and policies specific to different sectors of the economy. The mission also facilitates collaboration opportunities among diverse stakeholders and keenly creates awareness about the benefits of innovation. Overseeing the innovation ecosystem of the country is another key responsibility of AIM.
Achievements of AIM
The initiatives taken by AIM have significantly contributed to India’s progress in the realm of innovation. Evidence of this can be seen in the improvement of India’s rank from 81 in 2015 to 48 in 2020 on the Global Innovation Index.
About AIM-PRIME
The primary goal of AIM-PRIME is to bring science-based, deep technology ideas to the market by providing adequate training and guidance over a 12-month period. Here, ‘deep technology’ refers to tangible engineering innovation or scientific advances and discoveries. These are often characterised by their profound enabling power, distinctive qualities, and the potential to bring about significant change.
Focus of AIM-PRIME
The main focus of AIM-PRIME is promoting entrepreneurship that is based on knowledge-intensive, deep technology.
Launch and Implementation of AIM-PRIME
In order to launch and implement this nationwide programme, AIM has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Venture Centre, a non-profit technology business incubator hosted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), will be carrying out the implementation of the program.
Beneficiaries of AIM-PRIME
Various technology developers including early-stage deep tech start-ups, as well as scientists, engineers, and clinicians with strong science-based deep tech business ideas stand to benefit from AIM-PRIME. Furthermore, Chief Executive Officers and Senior incubation managers of AIM Funded Atal Incubation Centers that are supporting deep tech entrepreneurs are also beneficiaries of the program.
Significance of AIM-PRIME
Candidates who are selected for the programme will gain access to in-depth learning through various means such as a comprehensive lecture series, live team projects, and exercises. They will also receive project-specific mentoring along with an access to a deep tech start-up playbook and curated video library. Additionally, the program offers plenty of opportunities for peer-to-peer learning.
