India Australia RISE Accelerator

Source- This post on India Australia RISE Accelerator has been created based on the article “India Australia RISE Accelerator calls for Start-ups and MSMEs in Climate Smart Agritech” published in “PIB” on 20 August 2024.

Why in News?

The Atal Innovation Mission is inviting applications from start-ups and MSMEs from India and Australia for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the India Australia Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator.

About India Australia RISE Accelerator

1. The India Australia Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator is a bilateral program of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and CSIRO.

2. Objective: The program aims to support businesses by focusing on innovations that address critical agricultural challenges.

3. Duration: The accelerator will run for nine months, starting in October 2024.

4. Participation: There is no charge for start-ups or SMEs to participate in the program. Selected participants may be eligible for up to INR 45 lakhs in non-equity grants.

5. Participants will engage in a combination of self-paced online learning and in-person sessions.

6. Program Focus Areas: It involves boosting agricultural productivity, reducing emissions, optimizing Natural Resource Use.

Key Highlights:

1. Focus on Climate Smart Agritech: The RISE Accelerator is seeking start-ups and MSMEs with technologies and solutions designed to improve agricultural productivity and resilience amid increasing climate variability, resource scarcity, and food insecurity.

2. Farmer-Centric Solutions: Special emphasis is on innovations that prioritize the needs and practices of farmers.

3. Participation Benefits:

i) Cross-Border Opportunities: The program offers multiple opportunities for participants to travel between Australia and India.

ii) Financial Support: Selected start-ups and SMEs may receive significant non-equity grants.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology