Incubation Centre/Start-Ups/Entrepreneurship

NEATEHUB: Empowering Agri-Entrepreneurs in the North East

The North East Agriculture Technology Entrepreneurs Hub (NEATEHUB), established under the aegis of Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat as its agribusiness incubator, is a significant player in nurturing agri-entrepreneurship across the Northeast region of India. Registered as a not-for-profit Section-8 company in September 2018, NEATEHUB has emerged as a beacon of support for agri startups and entrepreneurs.

Mission and Funding:

NEATEHUB aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture by supporting entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey. The Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog and the RKVY-RAFTAAR program of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, funded the incubator. This backing not only highlights the importance of NEATEHUB's role in the region's economic development but also makes it a proud participant in driving agri advancements in the Northeast region.

Programmes for Entrepreneurs

NEATEHUB offers two distinctive and customized programmes, each uniquely designed to meet the specific needs of entrepreneurs at different stages of their ventures:

  • Isanya (Idea Stage): This two-month residential programme is tailored for entrepreneurs at the idea stage. It provides orientation, curation, and refinement of ideas, transforming them into viable products or services. Participants receive a stipend during the programme, which helps them focus entirely on developing their ideas. Startups in the Isanya program can receive grant-in-aid support of up to 5 lakhs, providing crucial financial assistance to help develop their ideas and giving a sense of financial security to the startups that need to focus on their ventures.
  • Saranya (Startup Stage): The Saranya programme is aimed at early-stage and growth-stage startup companies. These startups, already registered as legal entities, benefit from mentoring, funding support, and resources necessary for scaling up their operations. This programme helps bridge the gap between developing ideas and successful businesses. The Saranya program offers substantial grant-in-aid funding up to 25 lakhs for startups, ensuring they have the financial resources to refine and nurture their innovative concepts, and providing a sense of financial security.

Support and Impact

NEATEHUB provides a comprehensive range of services to support its entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the necessary resources and guidance to succeed:

  • Business Mentoring: Guidance from experienced mentors helps entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of business development.
  • Seed Funding: Financial support is provided to help startups achieve their initial milestones and scale their operations.
  • Marketing Support: Assistance in market positioning and strategy enhances the visibility and reach of startups.
  • Technical Expertise: Access to technical experts ensures that entrepreneurs can address challenges related to technology and innovation.
  • Co-working Spaces: Physical spaces with the necessary infrastructure facilitate collaboration and productivity.

With approximately 190 active entrepreneurs, NEATEHUB has raised around seven crores of funding for 63 startups. Additionally, NEATEHUB serves as a knowledge Partner for establishing and handholding three new incubators under the RKVY-RAFTAAR programme in the North East region, including the College of Horticulture and Agro-Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh College of Veterinary Sciences, Aizawl, Mizoram College of Fisheries, Agartala, Tripura.

The Role of Youth in Entrepreneurship

India's demographic advantage, with over half its population under 25, presents a significant opportunity for economic growth. It is crucial to provide young people with opportunities and expertise early on. NEATEHUB recognises this need and has initiated several programs to foster entrepreneurial skills among students.

Student Ready Program

One of NEATEHUB's most promising initiatives is the "AAU Student Ready" program. It was launched to inspire and train students of Assam Agricultural University to pursue entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied fields. This program targets second-year undergraduates and encourages them to develop innovative solutions using intelligent technologies and validation services to address local community problems.

The program includes:

Infrastructure: Students can access fabrication labs, robotics labs, and prototyping spaces for hands-on experimentation.

Seed Money: Grants in aid ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs are provided to deserving student entrepreneurs to support their projects.

Hackathons and Competitions: Students are groomed to participate in various competitions to secure funding and exposure for their ventures.

Networking: The university's KVK system connects students with farmers, FPOs, and market stakeholders for raw material sourcing and market access.

NEATEHUB's multifaceted approach to fostering agri-entrepreneurship, from idea incubation to startup scaling, exemplifies a robust model for regional economic development. By offering targeted support programs like Isanya and Saranya, NEATEHUB effectively bridges the gap between innovative concepts and market-ready businesses. The incubator's comprehensive services, including mentoring, seed funding, and technical expertise, empower entrepreneurs to successfully navigate the complexities of business development. NEATEHUB is paving the way for a vibrant and sustainable agri-tech landscape in Northeast India. As it continues to nurture and empower entrepreneurs, NEATEHUB drives regional growth and contributes to the broader goal of national economic development.