Chitkara AgriXcelerator ‘25

Why Choose Chitkara Xcelerator Program?

• Access CIIF’s extensive network of investors, mentors, and industry experts.
• Leverage advanced customer-validation frameworks to refine your business model.
• Prepare your startup for investment and exponential growth.

Program Objectives

• Accelerate Growth: Equip startups with essential tools and strategies for rapid scaling.
• Build Networks: Forge connections with subject matter experts, mentors, and angel investors.
• Ecosystem Strengthening: Act as a regional innovation hub linking startups with industries, investors, and academia.
• Promote Efficiency: Encourage a "fail-fast" approach for startups to pivot effectively.

Program Highlights

• Duration: March 2025 to August 2025
• Opportunities: Direct access to VCs and angel investors, prize pool of INR 10 Lakhs, and funding pool of INR 10 crore*.
• Milestone: Exclusive Demo Day for pitching to top-tier investors.
• Cohort Size: 20 startups

Key Benefits

• Fast track structured programme helping ideas get accelerated to the next level
• Introduction to entrepreneurial development & identifying business opportunities
• Validate product ideas
• Engage with potential customers
• Building a scalable business model
• Building upon MVP/POC
• Manage team dynamics
• Pitching sessions to investors
• Prize Money – INR 10 Lakhs to Top 3 start-ups

Eligibility Criteria for Chitkara Xcelerator Program

• The applicant (Founder/Director) must be an Indian citizen
• The applicant (Founder/Director) age should be above 18 years.
• The company should be recognized as a “Startup” by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
• The startup should be operational in Agriculture or allied areas.
• Shareholding by Indian promoters in the start-up should be at least 51% at the time of application to CIIF for the scheme, as per Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018
• The period of existence of the start-up company should not be greater than 5 years
• The start-up must have a working MVP/POC with a Minimum TRL of 5 which is market fit, viable commercialization, and scope of scaling
• The start-up should be using technology in its core product or service, business model, distribution model, or methodology to solve the problem being targeted

Focus Sectors: Agritech

Selection Process

• Call for Applications
• Initial Screening: Applications reviewed for innovation, scalability, and market potential.
• Detailed Assessment: Shortlisted startups undergo a rigorous evaluation of scientific strength, commercialization potential, and sustainability.
• Onboarding: Selected startups are inducted into the accelerator program.
• Mentor Assignment: The startups will be assigned mentors based on their stage & need.

Timelines

• Application Opens: 15th December 2024
• Application Deadline: 5th January 2025
• Program Start: Second week of March 2025 (Tentative)
• Program End: Second week of August 2025 (Tentative)