Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS) under Champion Services Sector Scheme (CSSS) | Latest Government Schemes in India | Updated Government Schemes in India | SaraNextGen

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Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS) under Champion Services Sector Scheme (CSSS)

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology

Objectives

• To promote the ecosystem for research, design, development, proof of concept testing, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) creation, pilot project and manufacturing i.e. complete value chain to make India a global hub for production of telecommunication equipment and a centre for digital communication services.

• To develop and establish standards to meet national requirements and participate in international standardization bodies to contribute in formulation of global standards, thereby making India a leading nation in the area of international telecom standardization.

• To promote India specific application development that matches with behavioral pattern of the masses and adds value to their day-to-day activities both economic and social.

• To create synergies among the Academia, Research Institutes, Start-ups and Industry for capacity building and development of a balanced telecom ecosystem by organizing workshops/seminar/ webinar etc. for sharing their views, plans, expectations and concerns in a free and constructive manner.

• Bridge the gap between R&D and commercialization

Maximum support to a startup/MSME up to INR 40 Lakhs for the project duration, minimum 10 applicants.

Who can apply:

Startups (Scaling Stage)/MSMEs who have already tested their prototypes (hardware/software innovations) with or without any user agency and are seeking further validations before becoming market-ready with a demonstrable demand are therefore encouraged to apply.

Note : The scheme does not envisage support to ideation stage startups.

Focus Areas

The scheme will be focused mainly in the following areas:

1. LTE Advanced, 5G and future generation access technologies, Software Defined Networks (SDNs) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV), IOT/ M2M, the cloud and data analytics.
2. Backhaul Radio and Communication Technologies,
3. Core and Edge Routers, Soft Switches, Ethernet Switches, xDSL, Modems, Routers, Dongles, Data Cards, Mobile Handsets, Wireless Access Points, Mobile Handsets etc.
4. Security and Surveillance Equipment, Sensors
5. Convergence of Telecom, IT and Broadcasting Technologies
6. Over-the-top (OTT) services as drivers for penetration of broadband services
7. Green and energy efficient technologies / solutions for the telecom sector and
8. Any other area considered commercially viable in future.

Eligibility Standards

• Eligible Beneficiaries
  • Startups, as defined and recognized by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, working towards innovation, development or improvement of products or processes or services, or if it is a scalable business model with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation.
  • Any Indian company incorporated under the Companies Act 1956/2013, primarily a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) as defined in the MSME Act, 2006 having over 51% stakes by the Indian Citizen / NRI / OCI and Head Quarter in India.
  • Individual Innovators will also be encouraged to apply (research & academic institutions can use this category to apply). However, release of fund shall be subjected to compliance of eligibility condition for either Startup or MSME before agreement signing.
• More than one organization can jointly submit the application in partnership with consortium, registered societies & Academia
• Collaboration with Academia / R&D Organization are highly encouraged
• Every proposal must clearly identify a Project Lead (PL) who will take responsibility for the technical and managerial aspects of the project execution. If an application is selected for funding support, then its Project Leader will be required to sign the project Agreement on behalf of the applicant(s).
• The applicant should have a working technical prototype. The scheme does not envisage to support ideation state startup.
• Also, the applicant would be required to furnish the company registration certificate.

Total number of proposals and support mechanism :

A startup/MSME fulfilling the eligibility conditions as mentioned can avail a maximum support upto Rs 40 Lakh for proposed technology product/solutions. Minimum 10 proposals are proposed to be supported under the scheme. The grant will be divided into two tranches that will be released in a phased manner based on designated milestones to be intimated at the time of approval of the proposal. Typically, the first tranche would be for augmentation of the product and next tranche would be for deployment of the product.

Implementation Mechanism and Evaluation Process :

Startups need to apply online through TCOE India portal. The proposals received in the portal will be scrutinized as per norms and all the shortlisted proposals would be put up for implementation through the designated Incubation centres keeping in mind geographical locations, scope of technology, area of work and preferences, if any. During the scheme period startups are expected to work upon and accelerate the production leading to commercial launch of a ready-to-scale minimum viable product in any of the areas described above.

Timelines: