The IAI program is a step towards promoting an inclusive India, where people with disabilities have access to equal opportunities to dignified and independent lives and livelihoods, aided by technology solutions. It will serve as an aggregator of ideas for workable solutions that can address problems that people with disabilities face in acquiring services and support in areas of education, skill building, employment, mobility, rehabilitation and other government services, using Microsoft cloud and other technologies.

To encourage building of customized solutions that address specific and unique problems that persons with specific disabilities face support and nurture frugal, workable innovations that can enable Persons with Disabilities access basic services and amenities, workplaces and equal opportunities for education, livelihoods and employment.

Innovation can be a product, process, or technology. It can also be a principle, an idea, an intervention, or a combination of all these using ICT.

The IAI will be a competition in which ideas & innovations using ICT to empower Persons with Disabilities will be supported via mentoring, investor sessions & critical grants.

All information regarding the process of application can be found on the website.

The deadline for applications will be 10th May 2020 (can be modified based on management’s decision)

The Innovate for accessible India invites applications from:

• Multi- stakeholder partnership- For Profit Social Enterprise, in partnership with an NGO.­­
• Early Stage Start-up
• Not for profit Organization/ NGO (Society, Trust of Section 8)
• Student/ Young Entrepreneur
• Established Start-Up
• Social Enterprises/ For Profits

Please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria for your specific organisational structure. Please refer to the Eligibility here.

NASSCOM Foundation defines a Not for Profit as any organisation registered as:

• 1. Indian Trust Act, 1882
  2. Societies Registration Act, 1860
  3. Section 8, Companies Act 2013

NASSCOM Foundation defines a Social Enterprise as a revenue-generating business with primarily social objectives whose surplus are reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to deliver profit to shareholders and owners.

For the purpose of the Forum we will be considering only those social enterprises with an annual turnover of less than INR 1,00,00,000 ( 10 crore/ 10 million). Early Stage entrepreneurs can submit their application forms through this category.

In addition to our definition of start up in the rules and regulation/eligibility section, NASSCOM defines an early stage start-up for the innovations in the below stages:

• Idea
• working prototype but not tested
• working prototype tested by less than 25 people

And the startup as an Established Start-up if the innovation is in the following stages:

• pilot testing with a group of more than 25 beneficiaries
• under mass production post testing,
• implemented innovation,
• available for the use of beneficiary

This year Innovate for an Accessible India will focus on innovations from the following themes/sectors:

• Mobility: Solutions that promote independent navigation and movement
• E Governance and Access: Solutions that promote access to digital tools and online services
• Education: Solutions that promote learning and retention
• Skilling and Livelihoods: Solutions that provide access to skilling opportunities and promote employability
• Health: Solutions that provide preventive, curative or remedial care.

Yes, you can apply if your organisational is operational for less than one year.

Unfortunately, your idea would need to fit into one of the categories above. However, if you have queries or would like support, please do write to us.

Yes, you can apply with multiple entries in one thematic category if each application is for a unique and different idea/solution. In other words, only one initiative is allowed per application in a Forum category.

Yes, it is compulsory to mention the number while filling the application form. If the participant has missed adding this detail, the application will stand disqualified.

Yes, you can apply in more than one thematic category, if each application is for a unique initiative. In other words, only one initiative per application is allowed in a Forum Category. You must also ensure a unique email and login credential is used for every new and unique application.

Your application (Form A) will first be reviewed for completeness, eligibility and adherence to the application guidelines, including character limit. Incomplete and ineligible applications will be declined without further review.

Applications that meet eligibility criteria will be reviewed carefully by the IAI team. After a thorough review, applications that fit the IAI criteria will be invited to complete the Form B application.

No, there is no application fee.

The applications will be judged in every round based on the following five parameters:

• 1. Strength of the idea (if in idea stage)
  2. ICT Innovation: Innovation using technology in a unique way for social development
  3. Social Impact: Impact of innovation on social development
  4. Cost & Timeline: Cost and time required to implement the innovation
  5. Sustainability: Future sustainability of the initiative
  6. Scalability: Potential for scale

You can determine which category to apply by checking the Eligibility criteria for each category.

The online link of the application form is available on the IAI website https://iai.nasscomfoundation.org/

Applications must be submitted only through the application link provided. Any entries submitted through other means will NOT be accepted.

To start with, you need to create your account. You must save your application at regular intervals since the website may get timed out after certain intervals and you will lose your data. After submitting you can check the status of the application form by logging into your account.

If you forget your password, you can click ‘Forgot Password’ and provide your mail address, and the password information will be sent to you.

You will receive an email acknowledgment that your application has been received within 24 hours of electronic submission.

• All 5 awards (one per each category) @ Rs. 5 lakhs each in Early stage projects (idea, working prototype but not tested, working prototype tested by less than 25 people)
• 5 awards @ Rs. 10 lakhs each in Established projects – (pilot testing with a group of more than 25 beneficiaries, under mass production post testing, implemented innovation, available for the use of beneficiary.
• The 10 best solutions that address key challenges faced by people with disabilities will also be provided mentoring support by Microsoft and NASSCOM Foundation, along with grants to develop and scale their solution.

A catalytic grant will be given to winners that are deemed to have high potential for impact in their thematic area. Purpose of the grant is to aid the organisation to scale its reach and thus achieve the deemed high impact. It must be specified here that all projects within the stated thematic categories will be screened and considered for the grant.

No. There is no separate application form for the grant.

Mentors will include industry leaders, experts in social enterprise, disability, innovation and development projects. Mentors will be assigned based on technical and growth plans of the mentee organization.

Please view the process section for timelines. This section will be regularly updated with deadlines and dates for various milestones.

All organizations receiving a grant will participate in the webinars, pitch sessions, mentoring and capacity building workshops. They are also expected to submit timely reports & documentation.

The IAI winners become part of the larger community of innovators at NASSCOM Foundation. This gives them access to network connects and events by NASSCOM Foundation and its partners. Our association with these organizations will not end and we will provide these important connections with relevant stakeholders to support the innovations on their path to success and scale.

If you have any queries regarding the application process, questions or technical issues you can email your queries to iai@nasscomfoundation.org or WhatsApp at 9716854644

Yes, you can if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Yes

See above answer.

No

Yes, Need to fill the form in one go.

No

Yes if you qualify for the Grand Jury round

Three Rounds