Launch of Maitri Indo Brazil Agri-Tech Cross Border Incubation Start-up Programme

Pusa Krishi Incubator has successfully launched Maitri-Indo Brazil Agri-Tech Cross Border Incubation Programme, which focused on promoting agri start-up incubation, start-up exchange and access to Global Market thereby enabling the social, industrial and economic growth of both countries. A large number of delegates, guests and community members came together on 9th December at NASC Complex, New Delhi to unveil the project.

The interactive programme brought together supporting partners Department of Science & Technology(DST)(Funding Agency, ICAR, IARI, Brazil Embassy (India), Anprotec (National Association of Innovative Enterprises Promoting Entities, Brazil), ICAR-IIMR (Indian Institute of Maize Research to constructively execute "Indo Brazil Cross Incubation and Entrepreneurship program".

Dr A K Singh, Director by welcomed the delegates and briefed about the programme. Dr Neeru Bhooshan, CEO, Pusa Krishi Incubator, Dr Neeraj Sharma, Secretary, Technology Development Board and Head Technology Development and Transfer and NEB Division, Chief Gust, H. E . Mr Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, Ambassdor Brazil in India given the good account of the Maitri Project.

The expectations out of this programme including a six month mentoring program in India & Brazil, 15 days workshops in New Delhi and Hyderabad, 15 days all expenses paid trip to Brazil, Investor connect & Demo Day in India & Brazil and partnership & Network opportunity in India & Brazil. Applications were invited from start-ups as per the startup Indian/DIPP definition which are at commercialization stage.

Application received were for screening by an internal team comprising of sector specific experts and business experts. Selected applicants were invited to make a presentation in front of the selection committee comprising of technical experts, business experts, venture capitalist, representative from Brazil Embassy-Agriculture Science Attaché, representative from DST and CEO of the Pusa Krishi Incubator. The selection committee screened the start-ups based on their problem statement, innovation, its solution, its market and its relevance to Brazil market.

This is a cross border partnership between India and Brazil and five start-ups from each side are participating in the programme. Brazil Embassy will support all the expenses for the visit of Brazil start-ups in India and Department of Science and Technology will support the Indian start-up visit to Brazil.

Government officers from DST, ICAR, IARI, Ministry of External Affairs, Brazilian and Indian start-ups selected under the programme and member from the start-ups ecosystem, took keen interest in the showcase of the First ever Maitri Indo Brazilian Incubation Programme.