Assam Start-up and Innovation Policy 2025

Innovation, Financial Support

The State of Assam, known for its rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and unique geographical features, stands at the cusp of an entrepreneurial revolution. In 2017, the Assam government established the Assam Startup Policy to foster a supportive environment for startups and stimulate Assam's economic development. This policy underwent revisions in 2018 to broaden its reach and impact.

Originally set for a five-year duration, this policy has now been succeeded by the "Assam Start-up and Innovation Policy 2025". This new policy aims to invigorate the startup landscape in Assam, positioning it as a central force in the state's socio-economic and industrial evolution, with a strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. The Assam Start-up and Innovation Policy 2025 aims to harness this potential and propel the state into a new era of innovation and economic growth. This policy document outlines the state's commitment to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem that supports and accelerates the growth of startups.

Objective:

a To build a robust infrastructure that provides startups with the necessary resources, including workspace, mentorship, and access to networks.
b To create a favourable business environment that simplifies regulatory procedures and encourages ease of doing business.
c To facilitate access to finance for startups through various funding mechanisms, including grants, seed capital, and venture funding.
d To foster partnerships between startups, academia, industry, and government to promote knowledge exchange and collaborative innovation.
e To encourage the development of human capital by supporting skill development and entrepreneurship training programs.
f To establish Assam as a centre for social and technological innovation, focusing on solutions that address the unique challenges of the region.
g To ensure sustainable and inclusive growth by supporting startups across all districts of Assam, with special emphasis on rural and underrepresented communities.
h To facilitate the growth of at least 5,000 new Startups and create 1 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities over the next 5 years.

The Assam Start-up and Innovation Policy 2025 is a dynamic document that will evolve with the changing needs of the ecosystem. It sets forth the principles and guidelines that will guide the state's approach to fostering a thriving startup environment.

Incentives

1 Fiscal Incentives

Idea2POC Grant

Proof of Concept

Startups* with MASI are entitled to a one- time Grant-in-Aid up to INR 10 Lakhs to develop their ideas to a proof-of concept stage.

Grant for Piloting

Minimum Viable Product

Startups* with MASI shall be eligible for a grant up to Rs. 25,00,000 for Piloting, i.e. for launching the pilot projects towards testing their viability in the market. It shall support the development of a Minimum Viable Product, procurement of essential equipment and raw materials, and covers expenses related to product testing and certifications for the enhancement of their product or service offerings.

Scale Up Grant

Commercialization Support

Startups* with MASI are entitled to scale up grant up to Rs. 50,00,000 which may be utilized towards raw material purchase, marketing and other scaling up costs required for supporting the commercialization of products and services of the startup.

100% reimbursement on patent filing cost

100% Reimbursement

Startups with MASI shall be eligible for reimbursement up to 100% of the actual costs (including filing fees, attorney fees, search fees, maintenance fees) for patent filing with a maximum limit of INR 1 lakh for filing a domestic patent and up to INR 5 lakh for filing an international patent. This reimbursement shall be payable after the patent has been granted. Further, incentive towards the cost of patent can be increased to cover the full cost with the approval of the Department in extra ordinary cases.

Sustenance Allowance

Monthly Stipend

Sustenance Allowance of Rs. 20,000.00 per month per startup will be provided to the startups obtaining MASI for a period of one year. In case of Woman/ST/SC/Divyang led startups, additional Rs. 5,000.00 per month per startup will be provided for one year.

GST Reimbursement

State GST on Sales

Startups with MASI shall be eligible for annual reimbursement of state GST paid in sales of goods for a period of 3 years up to a maximum of INR 5 lakh per Startup per year.

Lease Rental Reimbursement

Workspace Support

Startups with MASI shall be eligible for 50% lease rental reimbursement for a maximum period of 3 years subject to a maximum ceiling of INR 5 lakhs. It may include any rent being paid to an incubator/co-working space.

Marketing and promotion assistance

Digital & Offline Marketing

Startups with MASI shall be eligible for one time support at 50% of the actual marketing and promotion costs incurred by a Startup in listing fees for online and offline advertisement, digital marketing etc. within a period of 1 (one) year from date of commencement of operation subject to a maximum ceiling of INR 2 lakhs per Startup.

*Woman/ST/SC/Divyang Led Startup: Out of total number of Startups getting fiscal incentives, 10% will be reserved for Woman/ST/SC/Divyang Led Startups.
*Priority Sector Startup: Out of total number of Startups getting fiscal incentives, 10% will be reserved for priority sector startups.
The Sub-Committee constituted by the PIC shall be the designated authority to recommend the quantum of assistance to be provided to the eligible Startups.

2 Support for funding

Assam Startup SIDBI Venture Capital Fund: Startups will be nurtured to become eligible for financial support under the "Assam startup SIDBI Venture Capital Fund" to cater to the various needs like raw material purchase, marketing and other scaling up costs required for commercialization of products and services of the eligible Startups.
Credit Linkage to Startups: Partnerships will be formed with banks, NBFCs, and financial institutions to facilitate easier access to working capital loans for startups. These financial bodies will be encouraged to expand their lending services to startups and establish dedicated desks in selected branches for streamlined financing and banking.

3 Non-fiscal incentives

E-Commerce Partnerships: The Assam Government will seek to establish formal collaborations with prominent ecommerce companies, including ONDC (initiated by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India). These partnerships will span both multiproduct and sector-specific platforms, aiming to offer a digital marketing space for recognized Startups in Assam to display and promote their products.
Infrastructure Support: In order to achieve sustainable growth of Startups and also support them during the initial stages, special concession of 50% will be granted to Startups obtaining MASI in case of Lease Premium for allotment of space along with 50% concession on Monthly Maintenance and Annual Ground Rent for a period of 3 years in the Industrial facilities under Industries, Commerce & Public Enterprise Department.

How To APPLY (Claim procedure)

1 Doubts relating to the interpretation of any term and/or dispute relating to the operation of any provision under this policy shall have to be referred to the Industries and Commerce Department, Government of Assam for clarification/ resolution; and the decision of Government in this regard shall be final and binding on all concerned.
2 The incentives under the Policy cannot be claimed unless the MASI has been issued to the Startup by the concerned authority and the Startup has complied with the stipulation/conditions pertaining to specific incentives to the satisfaction of the concerned authority.
3 The decision of the concerned authority, subject to such direction from Government may be issued from time to time in this regard, will be final and binding.
4 Disbursement of benefits under the Policy is on First come First serve basis. Fiscal benefits approved to the Startups will be within budget available for the financial year.
5 The State Government may at any time amend any provision of this policy.