Rajasthan Government Launches Startup Programme ISTART
The Government of Rajasthan launched a dedicated platform for startups, called iStart in a bid to facilitate entrepreneurship and job creation. The platform will provide startups with access to mentoring and funding opportunities by nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.
iStart will be managed by Applyifi, the online investors support services platform that guides startups in creating a comprehensive pitch deck. Applyifi will help the selected startups in increasing their chances of success by providing the startups with a 36 point scorecard and assessment report.
The programs, according to Akhil Arora, the Principal Secretary of the Department of Information Technology and Communication, are structured with very clear and measurable deliverables to ensure that more startups can succeed. The platform is based on an “access improve access” model where startups will undergo customized group skill building and mentoring programmes. The startups will also be provided with a detailed assessment report and Applyifi scorecard to help them strengthen their venture in areas that need improvement.
Speaking about iStart, founder of Appyifi, Prajakt Raut said, “The objective of the program is to assist anyone with an entrepreneurial aspiration to take their concepts and business to the next level – be it at idea/concept stage or MVP or early growth stage startups. Additionally, initiatives like alumni angel networks will help aspiring entrepreneurs raise smaller sums that they may require to develop their MVPs and test their concepts in the market.”
iStart, envisioned as a one-stop online platform for startups, will include three major components namely QRate, Challenge For Change and Rajasthan Stack. Through the QRate session or the Quality Rating and Curation session, startups will be assessed based on various parameters of business. This component will help the startups get a perspective on how investors might view their venture. The second component, Challenge For Change, will help the Rajasthan Government to give industry contracts to tech-enabled businesses. Whereas, the third component, Rajasthan Shack, will be focused on building a digital infrastructure that can be utilized by the government, startups, developers, and businesses for solving some of the problems faced by the State.
The startups graduating from the programme will be able to connect with investors and potential customers via the iStart platform and pitch their ideas for grants and investments from the Rajasthan government. Interested entrepreneurs and startups can apply to the programme here – iStart Rajasthan website