Latest news with #incubation
Entrepreneur
6 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
C-DOT Launches 'Samarth' Incubation Program to Boost Telecom and ICT Startups
In the first phase of this initiative, 18 promising startups have been selected for "Cohort 1" through a competitive selection process. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), an autonomous telecom R&D body under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has launched the 'Samarth' Program — a new incubation initiative aimed at supporting startups in the Telecom and ICT sectors. In the first phase of this initiative, 18 promising startups have been selected for "Cohort 1" through a competitive selection process. These startups include Turtleneck Systems, Matisoft Cyber Security Labs, Revino Solutions, Ajayan Consulting, Vital Carbon, Atibha Research, Alphappleton Innovations, Agriverse Innovations, Haranzel Technologies, and others. Under the program, these startups will receive a financial grant of up to INR 5 lakh each, fully furnished office space for six months at C-DOT campuses in Delhi and Bengaluru, and access to C-DOT's state-of-the-art lab facilities. They will also benefit from expert mentorship by C-DOT technologists and external industry experts. To formally kick off the initiative, C-DOT hosted a mentoring-cum-acceleration session for the selected startups. The goal of the Samarth program is to help early-stage companies move from the idea stage to successful commercial ventures by offering them resources, guidance, and funding support. The Samarth Incubation Program focuses on innovation in key technology areas such as telecommunications, 5G/6G, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, IoT, and quantum technologies. The program will be conducted in two cohorts per year, each lasting six months and supporting up to 18 startups — with a total capacity of 36 startups annually. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) have been selected as the implementation partners for the program. Delivered in a hybrid format, Samarth connects startups with investors, industry leaders, and government experts, enabling them to build sustainable and scalable businesses. The launch event was attended by dignitaries including Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, Arvind Kumar, DG of STPI, and Atul Dhawan, President of TiE Delhi-NCR. During the session, the first installment of the funding was distributed to the startups. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between C-DOT and STPI to further strengthen collaboration in training, mentorship, and innovation initiatives.
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UNDP launches creative-tech incubator for early-stage African founders
Programme to support 20–30 entrepreneurs from 10 African countries. A new virtual incubation programme backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UVU Africa has opened applications for early-stage creative entrepreneurs across the continent. The six-week Timbuktoo Creative Hub Ideation Incubation Programme will offer structured support to help participants validate ideas, build business skills, and prepare for investment and market entry. It is set to begin in July 2025. Ten countries targeted The programme will select 20–30 entrepreneurs from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Zambia. It targets individuals aged 18–35, particularly those at the ideation or early business stage, and encourages women-led ventures to apply. Workshops will cover topics including entrepreneurial thinking, market research, branding, financial literacy, and pitching. Participants will also receive mentorship, peer networking opportunities, and access to a final demo day with potential investors. Creative economy focus The initiative is part of the UNDP's broader Timbuktoo platform, a pan-African effort aimed at investing in youth-led startups across key economic sectors. The Creative Hub is one of ten planned sector-specific hubs. According to Maxwell Gomera, UNDP South Africa resident representative, the programme seeks to position the creative economy as a driver of cultural preservation and inclusive growth. 'When imagination meets structured support and global market access, we don't just preserve culture — we export it, scale it, and build sustainable economies around it,' Gomera said. Applications now open The initiative is open to founders working in fields such as: - Audio-visual production - Music and live performance - Design (including graphic, fashion, industrial, architecture) - Multi-media - Cultural and natural heritage preservation All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ITIDA launches 47th round of Start IT Incubation Program with new incentives to boost startup readiness
Cairo, Egypt: The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), an affiliate of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has announced the launch of the 47th round of its Start IT incubation program. Applications are open until May 24, targeting early-stage startups with innovative ideas and ICT-based prototypes to help them transform their concepts into scalable and growth-ready startups. In line with its continued efforts to empower the entrepreneurial ecosystem, TIEC has unveiled an enhanced package of incubation benefits for this round. Key updates include a significant increase in the financial and in-kind support, reaching EGP 480,000 up from EGP 180,000, providing startups with stronger capabilities to execute development and scaling phases more efficiently. Additionally, cloud support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) has doubled to USD10,000, reflecting TIEC's strategy to accelerate cloud readiness and adoption among startups by enabling access to cutting-edge infrastructure and services. This round also introduces the exclusive Start IT Perks platform, offering participants special discounts and benefits from TIEC partners, including InterAct and These partnerships provide startups with access to advanced technical tools and applications that enhance operational efficiency and foster business growth. To address talent acquisition challenges faced by early-stage ventures, the program now includes dedicated recruitment support through collaborations with specialized platforms such as Talents Arena, Sprints, and Techie Matters, enabling startups to build skilled and professional teams. Further, in response to the growing demand for AI-driven innovation, the new package features specialized support in Artificial Intelligence, including training programs and personalized consultancy sessions with experts. This is aligned with Egypt's digital transformation priorities and aims to raise AI readiness across the local startup ecosystem. 'The launch of the new round of the Start IT incubation program—enhanced with an expanded benefits package from our Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC)—reflects our continued commitment to supporting Egypt's tech startups innovation-driven entrepreneurship,' said Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA. 'Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in accelerating economic growth and driving innovation, and ITIDA remains firmly focused on developing custom-tailored programs and initiatives that address the needs of startups and strengthen Egypt's entrepreneurship ecosystem at every stage.' Startups applying to the program will be assessed based on a set of technical criteria. Eligible projects must offer practical solutions to existing or anticipated market challenges and be backed by a functional ICT-based prototype. Projects should leverage technology either as a core product or as an enabling component of an innovative service. Key selection criteria also include economic viability, sustainability potential, scalability, and the ability to attract investment. Projects must be led by dedicated entrepreneurs fully committed to developing their ventures. Applications from teams with non-dedicated undergraduate students or projects incubated concurrently elsewhere will not be considered. Start IT is one of Egypt's leading startup support programs in the ICT sector, delivered quarterly by TIEC. Accepted startups benefit from a 12-month incubation period at TIEC centers across the country. These centers provide fully equipped workspaces, business and technical consulting, software and hardware support, and marketing services. Project evaluation considers several key factors, including product or service uniqueness, market analysis, competitive advantage, prototype maturity, and founding team expertise. Established in September 2010, the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC) has played a pivotal role in promoting innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship across Egypt. Through its comprehensive capacity-building programs, incubation services, and strategic initiatives, TIEC contributes to positioning Egypt as a regional hub for innovation and digital entrepreneurship. For more information and to apply, visit [Start IT Application Portal].
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Orphaned ducklings saved by Redcar couple 'doing well'
A couple who rescued a clutch of unhatched duck eggs after their mother died now have 10 rapidly-growing ducklings living in their Carter and his girlfriend Stephanie Weeding began incubating the eggs at home in April using heat orphaned ducklings - which would not have survived more than a few hours without their help - started hatching after a week and are now thriving at Mr Carter's home in Redcar, 35-year-old chef said "more had survived than if they'd been in the wild", adding he was "chuffed" the birds were doing so well. He said: "Five weeks ago, we wouldn't have said we're going to have 10 little ducklings running around in the garden."But they're doing well and causing havoc, it's all good." The mother duck had become something of an unofficial mascot at the cafe where Mr Carter works in Great Ayton, near staff were left "heartbroken" when she died during the Easter bank holiday, and the timing of her death made it difficult for anyone to contact the RSPCA and other local charities for the couple collect tropical butterflies they had heat lamps at home, which they used to incubate the eggs. The ducklings have since been learning to swim in a makeshift backyard pond and Ms Weeding said they particularly enjoyed eating dandelions and "can't get enough of peas".The couple added their next step was to introduce the birds to living alfresco permanently, as they are currently only outside during the Weeding said: "In the next week they'll be moving into a coup and once they're sprouting adult feathers we'll be released them back into the wild." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
CTV News
18-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Canada goose who picked Regina restaurant as nesting spot welcomes goslings
A Canada goose who has nested her eggs outside of a restaurant in Regina has parted ways after incubation. (Photo courtesy: Sarah Groff)
