GREAT Scheme Under NTTM Supports 24 Technical Textile Start-ups

The “Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)” guidelines were introduced under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) to support young innovators, scientists/technologists, and start-up ventures in the technical textiles sector. The objective is to assist them in converting ideas into commercially viable technologies and products. Under the scheme, each approved start-up is eligible for financial support up to Rs. 50 lakh.

The State/UT-wise distribution of the 24 approved start-up projects is as follows:

Andhra Pradesh – 1
Delhi – 5
Gujarat – 3
Karnataka – 2
Maharashtra – 6
Punjab – 1
Tamil Nadu – 4
Uttar Pradesh – 1
Uttarakhand – 1
Total – 24

Start-ups are selected in accordance with the eligibility criteria prescribed in the GREAT guidelines. The approved projects span multiple technology domains, including advanced functional textiles such as temperature-responsive and self-sanitizing fabrics; smart textiles incorporating graphene-based materials; energy-harvesting fabrics; shape-memory wearables for healthcare; and high-performance composites for automotive, construction and defence applications.

The scheme also supports sustainable and bio-based innovations, including hemp–bioplastic composites, biodegradable tire yarns and algae-derived leather. In addition, projects cover medical and healthcare solutions such as surgical simulators and antimicrobial textile technologies.

A Review and Monitoring Committee has been constituted under the scheme to evaluate and monitor the progress of approved start-ups. Public events, workshops, seminars and outreach programmes are conducted nationwide to facilitate industry engagement for scaling up start-up projects and to disseminate information regarding the scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

For individual applicants:

The applicant must be an Indian citizen aged at least 21 years on the day of application (defined in section 11). The primary applicant shall act as the Project Leader (as per Section 5) and be responsible for all communication and decision-making related to the grant.

The applicant must be incubated in an Incubator and should have identified an Incubator at the time of application. An agreement with the Associated Incubator is required for final approval by the Empowered Programme Committee (EPC).

If the applicant is formally employed or associated as a student/researcher with an academic or research organisation, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer or head of institution must be submitted. The NOC must clearly indicate that the applicant:

• Is permitted to apply for the GREAT grant and that there is no conflict with current duties or obligations.
• Can accept funding support as an individual.
• Can manage funds in individual capacity under the Central Nodal Account (CNA) mechanism of Government of India.
• Can create an Enterprise.

Alternatively, the applicant must submit an undertaking stating that he/she plans to terminate association with the current employer and take up the project full time upon approval of the grant. An approved resignation/relieving/retirement letter is required prior to release of the grant. The individual must have a registered company/start-up before release of funds.

If the applicant is formally employed with a for-profit Startup Company, the application should be submitted under the Startup Company. Alternatively, the applicant must provide an undertaking to terminate association with the employer and take up the project full time upon grant approval. An approved resignation/relieving/retirement letter is required before fund release.

An individual who is a promoter/shareholder of a Technical Textiles’ Startup Company is not eligible to apply as an individual, irrespective of the percentage of shareholding. In such cases, the application may be submitted through the Startup Company, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility criteria.

For Startup Companies:

The Startup must be incorporated as a private limited company or registered as a partnership firm or limited liability partnership, with turnover less than INR 100 Crores in any of the previous financial years. The entity must be engaged in innovation or improvement of existing products, services or processes and have the potential to generate employment or create wealth. Entities formed through splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business are not considered a Startup.

The Company must be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956/2013. The incorporation date must not exceed 5 years at the time of applying for the GREAT call for application submission.

At least 51% of the capital must be owned by resident Indian citizen(s) or Indian companies ultimately owned and controlled by resident Indian citizen(s). The application must be represented by a Project Leader (defined in section 5).

The Startup Company must have adequate and functional R&D facilities to execute the project or be associated/incubated at an incubator for the project. If any promoter holding 20% or more shares in the applicant Startup Company is also a co-promoter or partner of another ineligible Startup Company, the applicant will not be eligible.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.