The Indian government is calling for nominations for the National Startup Awards 2020 ⁠— here’s how you can apply

• The government is hosting the National Startup Awards 2020 for startups, incubators and accelerators.
• The awards has 12 categories including Agriculture, education, enterprise technology, energy, finance, food, industry 4.0, health, space, security, tourism and urban services.
• The last date for application for the startup awards is December 31.

India’s startup ecosystem is the third largest in the world with over 20 unicorns. The Narendra Modi-led government has introduced many initiatives like Startup India to also build a conducive environment for entrepreneurs. And now, the government is hosting the National Startup Awards 2020.

The awards has 12 categories including Agriculture, education, enterprise technology, energy, finance, food, industry 4.0, health, space, security, tourism and urban services. The last date for application for the startup awards is December 31.

Apart from startups, enablers like incubators and accelerators can also apply.

Here’s how startups can apply

To apply for an award, the startup has to be a DPIIT-recognized startup, with a hardware or software solution in the market. The startup has to submit all audited financial statements for the last three financial years and should also ensure there has not been any default in its finances.

Log on to startupindia.gov.in/awards to apply as a startup, register your official email address to fill out the form.

The winner from each category;s sub sector will get a cash prize of ₹5 lakh along with an opportunity to present their business solution to public authorities as well as corporates for potential pilot projects and work projects.

Sector	Sub Sector
Agriculture	1. Productivity 2. Farmer Engagement and Education 3. Post Harvest 4. Allied Areas (Fisheries, Poultry, Animal Husbandry etc.)
Education	1. Access to Institutional Education 2. Access to Open Education 3. Teacher Training
Enterprise Technology	Enterprise Solutions
Energy	1. Clean Energy 2.Energy Storage 3.Energy Efficiency
Finance	1. Payments Wallets – include P2P lending etc. 2.Financial Literacy Engagement
Food	1. Food Processing 2.Access to Food
Health	1.Access to healthcare 2.Diagnostics 3.Life Sciences 4.Medical Devices
Industry 4.0	1.Big Data 2.Internet of Things 3.3D Printing 4.Augmented Reality Products /Wearables 5.Cloud computing 4 6.Robotics 7.Computer Vision
Space	Space Tech Solutions
Security	1.Cyber Security 2.Citizen Security Solutions
Tourism	1.Travel Planning & discovery 2.Hospitality
Urban Services	1.Construction/development monitoring solutions 2.Traffic Management 3.Water/water networks 4.Waste Management
Special Category: Women Led Startups
Special Category: Rural Development
Special Category: Campus Startup

Here’s how ecosystem enablers can apply

Ecosystem enablers like incubators and accelerators too can apply for the award.

To apply, incubator or accelerator has to have been around for two years at least and should be an independent entity - a company, a public trust or a society. While the incubator should have graduated at least 15 startups, the accelerator should have graduated at least 10 startups to be eligible to apply.

Log on to startupindia.gov.in/awards to apply as an incubator or accelerator, register your official email address to fill out the form.

The winning cash prize for the enablers is ₹15 lakhs.

See Also:
Startup India Vision 2024: DPIIT for cutting compliance time to just 1 hour per month for start-ups
No Angel Tax for startups registered with DPIIT, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman