Central Government · Ministry Of Defence
Innovations for Defence Excellence
Main benefit
1) SPARK (Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart) Grant: iDEX provides grants up to Rs.
Can you get this scheme?
Conditions at a glance
- Work: Business / self-employed
About
Scheme for iDEX-Innovations for Defence Excellence was launched in May' 2021 by Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) under the aegis of the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD). iDEX provides grants up to Rs. 1.50 Cr (up to Rs. 10 Cr in case of iDEX Prime) to the Start-ups/MSMEs to fund the projects in many technological areas under Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC) and Open Challenge through the Support for Prototype and Research Kick start (SPARK Framework). The iDEX scheme, besides fostering innovation and technology development, is also a path to procurement for the Armed Forces as per the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 which states that procurement through Innovative solutions could be undertaken under following programmes: -(a) Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).: Projects of Start-ups, MSMEs etc. with low capital investments and high innovation would be pursued under the iDEX category.
(b) Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme. Projects supported through TDF of DRDO for leveraging the domestic capabilities available with Indian Industries especially MSMEs including Start-ups.iDEX is being funded and managed by a 'Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)' which has been formed under the aegis of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, as a 'not for profit' company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose, by the two founder members i.e. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) - Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) & Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). IDEX is functioning as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX. iDEX aims at creating an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia. It will provide them with grants/fundings and other necessary support to carry out R&D which has potential for future adoption for Indian Defence and aerospace needs.
Achieving the goal of self - sufficiency for the Indian military will require a means to incorporate innovation rapidly in the weapons procurement process. iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX. Objectives:-a) Facilitate rapid development of new, indigenised, and innovative technologies for the Indian Defence and Aerospace sector, to meet their needs in a shorter time span.b) Create a culture of engagement with innovative startups, to encourage co-creation for Defence and Aerospace sectors.c) Empower a culture of technology co-creation and co-innovation within the Defence and Aerospace sectors.
DIO supports tech-driven firms to create, deploy and commercialize technologies for the Indian Armed Forces, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) & other Govt. Establishments through Defence India Startup Challenges (DISC) and Open Challenges (OC) by providing a SPARK (Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart) grant upto Rs. 1.5 Crore (The grant amount is upto Rs. 10 Crore under iDEX Prime cases)
Benefits
- 1) SPARK (Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart) Grant: iDEX provides grants up to Rs. 1.50 Cr (up to Rs. 10 Cr in case of iDEX Prime) to the start-ups/MSMEs to fund the projects in many technological areas under Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC) and Open Challenge through the Support for Prototype and Research Kick start (SPARK Framework)2) Partner Incubators Support to iDEX winners:- (a) Partner Incubator will provide mentorship to startups/MSMEs selected by iDEX-DIO. (b) Partner Incubator will run programs like accelerators, incubation, etc. to strengthen selected startups/MSMEs beneficial for the India defence sector.
- (c) Partner Incubator will undertake initiatives to reach out, spread awareness and promote innovations for defence among students/ researchers at all levels in academia 3) The major benefits from iDEX Scheme to Indian Defence Innovation Ecosystem are:-(a) Facilitate rapid development of new, indigenized, and innovative technologies for the Indian defence and aerospace sector, to meet needs for these sectors in shorter timelines (b) Create a culture of engagement with innovative startups, to encourage co-creation for defence and aerospace sectors (c) Empower a culture of technology co-creation and co- innovation within the defence and aerospace sectors.
Who can apply
- Eligible Organisations/ Beneficiaries to avail the grants under Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart (SPARK), the eligibility is as follows:i. Startups, as defined and recognized by Department of Industrial Policy Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.ii. 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.iii. Individual innovators are also encouraged to apply (research & academic institutions can use this category to apply), however they are supposed to form a Start-up before signing the SPARK Grant Agreement.
Documents needed
Tick the papers you already have. We'll remember.
0 of 1 ready
How to apply
Online
Application Link: https://idex.gov.in/challenge-categories Application Process: Please follow the website https://idex.gov.in for application process stepwise)
Common questions
What is IDeX?
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is the operational framework of the Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), a special purpose vehicle under the aegis of the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. The iDEX framework was launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2018 to support innovation for Indian Defence, and create pathways for adoption of technologies in the Indian armed services, as well as seeding India's future Defence enterprises.
What is DIO?
Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) is a Section 8 company formed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), both Defence Public Sector Undertakings. DIO implements the iDEX framework, which acts as a bridge between the requirements of the Armed Forces and the solution providers.
What is the purpose of IDeX, DIO?
The underlying objective is to make the country self-reliant and selfsufficient in matters of Defence, through mastering of the fundamentals of identify, incubate, innovate, integrate, and indigenise. The core objective of iDEX is to create an ecosystem, essentially to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and technology development, specifically in the Defence and Aerospace sector. Fundamentally, iDEX fosters the culture of technology co-creation and co-innovation within the Defence and Aerospace sectors.
What are the objectives of iDEX?
1. To create 'corporate Venture Capital' models for Indian Defence needs, which would identify emerging technologies, connect innovators to military units, facilitate co-creation of new and appropriate technologies, and create pathways for incorporation of cutting edge technologies into weapon systems used by Armed Services. 2. To transform defence innovation in India with the ultimate goal of delivering military-grade products that solve the critical needs of the Indian defence set-up by developing or applying advanced technologies. 3. To create a culture of innovation in Indian defence & Aerospace by engaging startups and innovators through encouraging co-creation & co innovation.
What is the focus of iDEX?
The program focuses on facilitation for creating of prototypes and bringing of products/technologies to market (
Defence or otherwise), applicants will be encouraged to spend on: Research & Development Prototyping Pilot Implementation Market Assessment How iDEX works?
IDEX-DIO has launches of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) with problem statements from Armed Forces, DPSUs & OFB. After rigorous evaluation of the applications winners are identified. Winner start-ups/ individuals receive innovation grants in technological areas through the Prototype funding guidelines called "Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart” (SPARK), which entail provisioning of grants upto Rs 1.5 crore to the Startups on the basis of milestones through multiple tranches, for prototype development.
Who can apply?
Start-ups, as defined and recognized by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. 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. Individual innovators are also encouraged to apply (research & academic institutions can use this category to apply).
What is the procedure to apply for grant in aid under iDEX initiative?
Applicants are required to apply for challenges launched under DISC and https://idex.gov.in/challenge-categories and fill in the application over the mentioned link. The major info sought in application is: Full Details of a Single Point of Contact for the applying entity. We encourage that this person be a core member of the applicant entity (Startup/MSME). Entity Details – the details of the Startup/MSME applying. Individuals Innovators do not have to fill these. Proposal Details – the details of the proposal in response to the iDEX Challenge problem statements/focus areas. Applicants must select the problem statement they are addressing, what level of funding they want, give technical and financial details of their proposal. This includes the information of relevant patents and research papers by the applicant, if any as well as a tentative business plan.
Is there any limitation on number of winners selected under a challenge?
No, there is no such limit. Any number of potential candidate can be selected under the iDEX challenges.
How grant mechanism works?
The DISC winners will be funded up to the max ceiling of Rs 1.5 crores (depending upon the costing of the project and matching contribution) in the form of equity/other relevant structures. The funds will be disbursed in tranches based on the milestones decided by a high-powered selection committee. Apart from the fund, selected applicants may also be given entry to accelerator programs run by iDEX partners, where they will be supported in technology and business development through mentorship under the innovation and entrepreneurship experts. The selected applicants may also be supported in terms of access to defence testing facilities and experts for their product/technology development.
How does iDEX select startups to support?
IDEX has multiple programs, which follow open and transparent processes to identify startups with innovative products for Indian Defence needs. Under the flagship Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) program, specific challenges are launched to attract innovative ideas. All applicants are put through a rigorous and transparent system to select grant winners, which get technical support and SPARK grants of up to Rs 1.5 cr, with equivalent matching contribution from the startups. Other programs such as iDEX Open Challenges, iDEX4Fauji (i4F), iDEX Internships and others have their own selection procedures as per published guidelines.
What is SPARK?
SPARK or Support for Prototype & Research Kickstart (in Defence) is the scheme for funding startups selected through the DISC challenges. Applicants showing capability, intent, and promise to be able to produce functional prototypes or to productize existing technologies will be awarded up to Rs. 1.5 crores, strictly on a milestone basis in the form of grant/equity/debt/other relevant structures. The exact amount and mode of each grant is decided by a High-Powered Selection Committee (HPSC) based on the application.
Official links
idex.gov.in/challenge-categoriesidex.gov.in