Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis

Given the impact of COVID-19 globally and in India, the need of the hour is to support R&D efforts in this direction and end any further damage to the economy. Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India supports innovations by offering comprehensive solutions through the startup ecosystem.

DST has nominated Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, IIT Delhi to implement the Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) to source and support startups having solutions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic by way of funding. FITT will be supported by the Indian STEPs and Business Incubator Association (ISBA) in implementing the program.

CAWACH supports innovations in diagnostics, devices, and informatics including bio-informatics & information management systems, any intervention for the control of COVID-19 and/or startup ideas to address/mitigate various challenges faced by country/society due to the severe impact of COVID-19.

Eligibility Criteria

• Less than 7 years in existence
• The startup should have DIPP recognition with Startup India, In case the startup does not have DIPP recognition while applying to the CAWACH program, the startup should ensure DIPP recognition before availing of funding under the CAWACH program
• Founders of the applicant company should have at least 51% Indian shareholding
• Should have a qualified team in place
• Preferably at the revenue stage or has raised funds earlier
• Preferably to have already deployed or ready to deploy the product within a few weeks
• Startups not incubated at any Incubation centres will have to associate with one of the Satellite or Affiliate centres for the entire project duration. The startup must give an undertaking on the same while submitting the application form.

List of documents to be submitted at the time of application

• Company Registration certificates
• GST registration certificate
• KYC of promoters – Aadhar card and PAN Card
• Shareholding pattern

The below documents to be submitted by the startups after selection under the CAWACH program

• Constitution documents – Memorandum of Association and Article of Association.
• Annual report for previous 3 years
• Bank statements for 6 months
• Proof of business address
• Reference from an established incubator or institution

Quantum of Funding:

• Rs 50 lakhs to Rs 200 lakhs per startup.

Mode of Funding:

• Returnable grants / soft loans or conditional grants or combination thereof.
• Soft loan/grant amount to be repaid/returned by the startups in 3-5 years.

Selection & Funding Process:

• Initial Scrutiny of application
• Selected applications will be evaluated by high-level technical and industry experts committee
• Shortlisted applicants shall make a presentation (online or in person) before the CAWACH-Investment Committee
• Preference to be given to the companies who can fast deploy their solutions at scale.
• Selected companies which are not incubated with any incubation centre will mandatorily be required to be affiliated with any of the main, satellite or affiliate centres (refer to list of centres) at no additional incubation cost.