Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Catalyst has launched its second batch of Start Exploration Programme of the year 2020 from 21st August 2020. Overall, this is the 7th batch of startups that Catalyst will host. With this startup batch, Catalyst has now supported over 100 startups since its inception. Launched in 2016, the first technology business incubator of Himachal Pradesh, helps the startups to convert their ideas into viable businesses through this programme.

This programme will run for a period of 3 months during which the startups will be provided with a funding support of Rs. 1.5 lakhs.

Apart from the funding support, the Catalyst team will also mentor the startups and provide them with training and network to grow their innovative ideas.

Speaking about the second batch of Startup Exploration Programme 2020, Dr. Puran Singh, Faculty-in-charge, IIT Mandi Catalyst, said, “During these uncertain times that are especially difficult for entrepreneurs, we have decided to start the batch online. This is a critical time to support aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators as innovation is the need of the day. Gradually, the startups will be brought to the campus.”

In this batch of the Startup Exploration Programme, a total of thirty-two startups from different sectors including Waste Management, Agrotech, Healthtech, Biotech, Edutech, Tourism & Hospitality, Manufacturing, Enterprise Management, and Cleantech have been shortlisted. It is notable that out of these, twelve startups are from the Himalayan region.

On completion of this exploration programme, Catalyst will provide the startups funding options from multiple sources. It is notable that Catalyst is currently hosting six funding schemes that provide funding for every stage of startup - idea validation, prototyping, and commercialization. These funding under these schemes ranges between Rs 1.5 Lakhs – Rs 50 Lakhs, and are sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, Department of Industries (Himachal Pradesh State Government), and IIT Mandi.