Our Story
EST 2018
The AAU Incubator (North East Agriculture Technology Entrepreneurs Hub – NEATEHUB) is a unique Agri Technology Business Incubator of Assam Agricultural University headquartered in AAU, Jorhat. It was established as a separate Section-8 Company under the Indian Companies Act 2013 in 2018. Since its inception, the incubator has facilitated agri entrepreneurs of the Northeast Region across different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. The AAU Incubator is funded by NITI Aayog, Government of India, and it is also recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Dept. of Agri Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) for promoting its flagship funding scheme (RKVY-RAFTAAR – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation).
Vision :
To be the leading Incubator and hub for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the area of agri-technology and allied sectors in North East Region (NER) of India.
Mission :
To provide world class facilities for handholding and promotion of agri-businesses and entrepreneurship through collaborative and strategic partnerships that support innovative start-ups with seed capital assistance, business mentoring, training, commercialisation of technologies, conducive business-enabling eco-system, and provide ancillary services that may be required for creating successful entrepreneurs.
Stats
Since it’s inception, NEATEHUB has produced some excellent results. Given below are some awesome statistics. Given below are some awesome statistics
Startups incubated
Institutional Partnerships
Job Created
Grant-in aid funding
Support and Impact
NEATEHUB provides a comprehensive range of services to support its entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the necessary resources and guidance to succeed:
Seed Funding
Financial support is provided to help startups achieve their initial milestones and scale their operations.
Marketing Support
Assistance in market positioning and strategy enhances the visibility and reach of startups.
Technical Expertise
Access to technical experts ensures that entrepreneurs can address challenges related to technology and innovation.
Co-working Spaces
Physical spaces with the necessary infrastructure facilitate collaboration and productivity.
With approximately 190 active entrepreneurs, NEATEHUB has raised around seven crores of funding for 63 startups. Additionally, NEATEHUB serves as a knowledge Partner for establishing and handholding three new incubators under the RKVY-RAFTAAR programme in the North East region, including the College of Horticulture and Agro-Forestry, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh College of Veterinary Sciences, Aizawl, Mizoram College of Fisheries, Agartala, Tripura.
Student Ready Program
One of NEATEHUB's most promising initiatives is the "AAU Student Ready" program. It was launched to inspire and train students of Assam Agricultural University to pursue entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied fields. This program targets second-year undergraduates and encourages them to develop innovative solutions using intelligent technologies and validation services to address local community problems. The program includes:
- Infrastructure: Students can access fabrication labs, robotics labs, and prototyping spaces for hands-on experimentation.
- Seed Money: Grants in aid ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs are provided to deserving student entrepreneurs to support their projects.
- Hackathons and Competitions: Students are groomed to participate in various competitions to secure funding and exposure for their ventures.
- Networking: The university's KVK system connects students with farmers, FPOs, and market stakeholders for raw material sourcing and market access.
NEATEHUB's multifaceted approach to fostering agri-entrepreneurship, from idea incubation to startup scaling, exemplifies a robust model for regional economic development. By offering targeted support programs like Isanya and Saranya, NEATEHUB effectively bridges the gap between innovative concepts and market-ready businesses. The incubator's comprehensive services, including mentoring, seed funding, and technical expertise, empower entrepreneurs to successfully navigate the complexities of business development. NEATEHUB is paving the way for a vibrant and sustainable agri-tech landscape in Northeast India. As it continues to nurture and empower entrepreneurs, NEATEHUB drives regional growth and contributes to the broader goal of national economic development.
FAQ
When does NEATEHUB call for applications?
NEATEHUB calls for applications every year. The news of applications are uploaded in the website and the social media handles.
How much grant amount is released by NEATEHUB?
NEATEHUB offers 3 types of grants at the moment. The first is Isanya of up to Rs. 5 lakh for pre-seed startups, the second is Saranya of up to Rs. 25 lakh for seed startups, and the third is Navyam of up to Rs. 4 lakh for student entrepreneurs.
Are there any charges while applying to NEATEHUB?
No, there are no charges whatsoever.
Do you take equity?
At the moment, NEATEHUB does not take equity from any startup.
Is NEATEHUB a Government organization?
NEATEHUB is not a Government organization. It is a Section 8 nit-for-profit organization under Assam Agricultural University, Assam and funded by NITI-Aayog and Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers' Welfare (DAC&FW), Government of India,
Do you offer co-working spaces?
We we offer co-working spaces to out incubatees as well as outside startups. The rates depend on the size of the office.