PABI UDDAM Pre-Seed Programme 2026 by PAU Ludhiana

About this scheme

The UDDAM Programme is an Agripreneurship Orientation Programme organized by the Punjab Agri Business Incubator (PABI), a facility established in March 2019 at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. PABI operates under the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme, a central Government of India initiative spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmer Welfare (DAC&FW) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. RKVY-RAFTAAR aims to strengthen infrastructure and provide support to agri-startups. Leveraging PAU's deep expertise, PABI serves as a crucial regional hub for fostering innovation, with a track record of training over 250 startups, funding 92, and disbursing more than Rs. 11.5 crore in support.

This program targets individuals with innovative ideas in agriculture and allied sectors, guiding them through the pre-seed stage from concept to a working prototype. The objective is to empower innovators to translate groundbreaking ideas into tangible solutions for agricultural challenges.

Selected participants receive a non-dilutive grant-in-aid of up to Rs. 5 lakh. This funding is specifically earmarked for transforming innovative concepts into tangible prototypes, which can include a product, service, process, business platform, or business model. The grant is provided as a lump sum upon selection to facilitate immediate development.

Beyond monetary support, the UDDAM Programme offers comprehensive end-to-end incubation, encompassing critical assistance with market research and validation, business model development, and direct support for prototype creation and piloting. Innovators also gain valuable access to PAU's extensive network of farmers and field resources, crucial industry linkages, market connection opportunities, and the strong research and academic backing of Punjab Agricultural University.

Who can apply

• The UDDAM Programme is inclusive and open to a diverse range of innovators. This includes students, youth, smart farmers, women, and anyone with an innovative idea impacting agriculture or allied sectors. The core requirement is the novelty and potential impact of the idea itself.
• The innovative idea must be specifically rooted in agriculture or its allied sectors, such as food processing, animal husbandry, horticulture, rural technology, and supply chain management. This focus aligns with PABI's mandate and the objectives of the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme.
• Applicants are welcome at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey; prior startup registration is not required at the time of application, making it accessible for first-time founders or individual innovators. This flexibility reduces barriers to entry for promising ideas.
• All funds received must be exclusively utilized for converting the approved innovative idea into a functional and demonstrable working prototype. This ensures the grant directly contributes to tangible product or service development, moving concepts closer to market readiness.

Eligible entity types: Individual Innovator, Proprietorship, Private Limited, LLP

Benefits & funding

• The UDDAM Programme offers a non-dilutive grant-in-aid of up to Rs.
• 5 lakh for prototyping.
• This financial support is complemented by end-to-end incubation, mentorship for market research, business model development, and prototype piloting.
• Participants benefit from direct access to farmer networks through PAU, industry linkages, market connections, and academic backing from Punjab Agricultural University.

Frequently asked questions