Open Call: Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program (India)

Deadline: 31-Aug-2026

The Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program (RGEP) provides early-stage financial support and mentorship to young science and engineering graduates in Karnataka who want to develop innovative business ideas into startups. Selected innovators receive a ₹25,000 monthly stipend for 12 months, with the program supporting ideas from early ideation through prototype, minimum viable product (MVP), or proof-of-concept development. What Is the Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program? The Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program (RGEP) is an entrepreneurship support initiative of the Karnataka Innovation & Technology Society (KITS). The program is designed to encourage young graduates to move from traditional employment toward entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup creation. RGEP focuses specifically on early-stage science and engineering innovations. It provides selected innovators with financial assistance and an environment in which they can validate their ideas, develop prototypes, and assess their commercial potential. The program supports 30 innovators each year. Why Does the RGEP Matter? Early-stage entrepreneurs often have innovative ideas but lack the financial resources needed to dedicate time to developing them. RGEP addresses this gap by providing a monthly stipend during the critical ideation and early product-development period.

The program aims to:

Encourage entrepreneurship among young graduates. Support innovation-driven startups in Karnataka. Help innovators move from an idea toward a prototype or MVP. Reduce the financial uncertainty associated with early-stage entrepreneurship. Promote science- and technology-based business ideas. Encourage young people to become job creators rather than only job seekers. Identify innovations with potential for wider social and economic impact. RGEP Funding and Benefits Selected participants receive financial support for a period of 12 months.

The main benefit is:

Monthly stipend: ₹25,000

Duration: 12 months

Total stipend value: Up to ₹3 lakh per selected innovator

Number of selected innovators: 30 per year

The program is intended to help innovators concentrate on developing their proposed idea rather than immediately seeking employment. By the end of the support period, participants are generally expected to have progressed toward a: Prototype Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Proof of Concept (PoC) Demonstration of business potential Who Is Eligible for the Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program? Applicants must satisfy the program’s eligibility conditions. Have completed a 3-year or 4-year degree in Science or Engineering. Be working on an eligible early-stage innovative idea. Be at the early ideation to early prototype development stage. The program is particularly intended for young graduates who are still developing and validating their ideas. Who Is Not Eligible? RGEP is not intended for established businesses or commercially launched products.

Applicants may be excluded if:

They are currently employed. Their proposed idea has already been introduced to the market. The idea has significant previous funding. The proposed venture has already generated significant revenue. The applicant is beyond the early-stage development phase. The proposed concept is not sufficiently innovative or feasible. The distinction between an early-stage idea and an already commercialized business is important because RGEP is designed to support innovators before substantial market entry. What Types of Ideas Does RGEP Support? RGEP focuses on innovative concepts arising from science and engineering disciplines. The presentation gives applicants an opportunity to demonstrate the value and feasibility of their proposed innovation.

Stage 3: Evaluation of the Innovation

The jury evaluates proposals against important criteria, including:

Novelty: How original or innovative is the idea?

Problem statement: Is the problem clearly defined?

Socio-economic impact: Could the innovation create meaningful benefits?

Feasibility: Can the proposed solution realistically be developed?

Commercial potential: Does the idea have potential to become a viable business?

Overall innovation potential: Can the concept develop into a successful startup or venture?

How Does the RGEP Program Work? Selected innovators receive support for 12 months to develop their concepts. A typical development pathway can include: Idea identification – Define the problem and proposed solution. Idea validation – Research the problem, users, and existing alternatives. Prototype development – Build an initial working version. Testing and refinement – Evaluate the solution and improve it. MVP or proof of concept – Demonstrate practical and business potential. Commercial assessment – Explore customers, markets, partnerships, and future funding. Startup development – Prepare the innovation for further incubation, investment, or commercialization. What Should Applicants Highlight in Their Proposal? A strong RGEP application should clearly communicate the relationship between the problem, innovation, feasibility, and business opportunity.

Applicants should focus on:

A specific and clearly defined problem. The target users or beneficiaries. The proposed technological or scientific solution. The innovative element of the idea. Evidence that the problem exists. How the solution differs from existing alternatives. The expected social or economic impact. Technical feasibility. Potential customers or users. Commercialization possibilities. The development stage of the innovation. Common Mistakes to Avoid Applicants should carefully check their application before submission.

Common weaknesses can include:

Applying with an idea that is already commercially available. Describing a general business rather than a specific innovation. Failing to explain the problem clearly. Making unsupported claims about market potential. Providing insufficient information about technical feasibility. Applying after the idea has al