PRATIBHA DESIGN CHALLENGE

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) invite applications for the “PRATIBHA DESIGN CHALLENGE” from entrepreneurs with design/technology/business ideas through a design challenge to identify and facilitate creation of business ventures that seek to promote handloom/handicraft handmade products through a digital platform for increased market outreach. The shortlisted ideas shall be provided advisory and mentorship support, infrastructural access and collaborations for crafts-centric business development. This pilot phase will involve 25 participant enterprises from across-India and would provide validation for scalability of the initiative.

Mission

As the name suggests, PRATIBHA aims to encourage potential entrepreneurs with talent and zeal to work with rural artisans to create businesses by providing them with:

i. A digital platform to showcase crafts and other rural handmade products.

ii. Access to design inputs/technological literacy/knowledge for better employment generation, engagement opportunities with wider markets and knowledge of best practices.

iii. A platform to learn and create their own sustainable, rural-based enterprises.

iv. Advisory and mentorship support to build entrepreneurship in the crafts and rural sectors.

Program Design

The Design Challenge will be executed in two levels

Level 1:

1. Applications are invited from young Enterprises or Entrepreneurs who are working or planning to work with artisans in the handicraft/handloom clusters. The applicants should have sound knowledge of the relevant industry.

2. The applicants will have to submit their background research and business plan, along with names of at least 05 prospective artisans who will be attached with the business in making products for sale.

3. 25 applicants/enterprises that fulfil the objective of PRATIBHA will be shortlisted by the jury based on the evaluation criteria

Evaluation Criteria

i. Business Idea

ii. Market need and analysis

iii. Benefit to the artisans

iv. Financial Viability

The jury’s decision on selection will be based on qualitative and quantitative aspects of the proposal and the jury’s decision will be final.

Level 2:

1. Based on the growth of the business venture over the span of one-year, 10 applicants/enterprises will be selected from amongst the selected 25 applicants/enterprises at Level 1, to scale up their venture, through provision of seed capital.

2. This selection will be made by a nominated expert jury panel based on both qualitative and quantitative aspects such as financial viability, product categories, quantum of benefit, number of beneficiaries, overall impact, etc. This process will be an internal selection and the jury’s decision on selection will be final. These selected applicants/enterprises will continue to get the handholding support in scaling up their businesses through the digital platform and other digital technologies.

Awards & Recognition

Level 1:

1. The 25 applicants/enterprises will selected and provided handholding support in business development and marketing through mentorship, training, and capacity building along with a monthly stipend.

2. A digital platform will be provided for marketing the products, at zero charge, for a period of 12 months.

Level 2:

The 10 applicants/enterprises will be selected from amongst the selected 25 applicants/enterprises at Level 1 and will receive funding grant of INR 10,00,000 each, to scale up their enterprise.