Open Challenge Program (OCP) 1.0 at SmartAgri CoE, Bhilai

• Seed-fund support of up to Rs. 35 lakh.
• Plug-and-play incubation at CSVTU Bhilai.
• Research labs and prototyping support.
• Go-to-market and investment support.
• Help with IPR filing.
• Access to the STPI CoE ecosystem.

About this scheme

The SmartAgri Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) is a startup-promotion effort by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), working with the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the state's Agriculture Development and Farmer Welfare wing, and Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University (CSVTU), Bhilai. Based at CSVTU Bhilai, the CoE helps startups build affordable, sustainable products and solutions for problems in agriculture and allied activities.

What it sets out to do:
Find and onboard promising AgriTech startups.
Incubate and support them in creating useful products for farmers in Chhattisgarh.
Give a push to research, technology development, and entrepreneurship in AgriTech.
Build a rounded ecosystem that encourages R&D and innovation in the smart-agriculture sector in the state.
Provide the infrastructure and services needed for prototyping, building, testing, and marketing.

Focus area:
Startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers with inventive ideas or solutions in AgriTech, taking in agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture.

Who can apply

• Eligible applicants are Indian startups set up as a private limited company, registered partnership firm, or LLP, and no more than ten years old.
• Unregistered teams may apply too, but must incorporate within three months of selection.

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

Benefits & funding

• Seed-fund support of up to Rs. 35 lakh for selected AgriTech startups, with help to attract further investment.
• A full incubation package at CSVTU Bhilai: a plug-and-play facility, research laboratories, prototyping support, mentoring, go-to-market help, and legal and accounting services.
• Help with IPR filing, plus access to the STPI CoE ecosystem and national and international events.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with SmartAgri CoE, Bhilai, in your own name.

1. 1

   Complete the online application form.

2. 2

   Submit the required documents and startup details.

3. 3

   Applications are screened by the SmartAgri CoE evaluation committee.

4. 4

   Shortlisted applicants present their solution before a panel of domain experts.

5. 5

   Final startups are selected for incubation and seed funding support.

6. 6

   Complete onboarding and begin incubation at SmartAgri CoE, Bhilai.

Documents checklist 10

• Application Form
• Pitch Deck
• Business Plan
• Founder Profiles
• Company Registration Certificate (if incorporated)
• PAN Card
• Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Prototype or Product Details
• Financial Projections
• Proof of Innovation (if available)

Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.

Frequently asked questions