A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship, otherwise known as ASPIRE is an initiative by the Government of India and promoted by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The ASPIRE scheme was launched in 2017 with the aim of setting up technology centres to encourage technical prowess and innovation. The scheme also aims at setting up incubation centres to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in the agro industry.
In order to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship from the grassroots level, the Indian government has launched the ASPIRE scheme. The ASPIRE scheme is designed to promote entrepreneurship, adoption of technology and infrastructure to increase efficiency in socially and economically-backward areas.
The ASPIRE scheme is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and adopting technology to empower farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs. Here are some of objectives of the ASPIRE scheme:
Boosting entrepreneurship and a self-sufficient culture
Creating new jobs, resulting in reduced underemployment and unemployment
Facilitating business development and entrepreneurship, which leads to societal development
Promoting innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and technological advancement
Economic development that begins from the grassroot level
The ASPIRE scheme offers a number of different types of assistance to entrepreneurs and those engaged in farming and allied activities. Here are some of the different types of assistance provided by the ASPIRE scheme:
Value addition for forest and agriculture produce.
Automating agricultural and other related activities by enhancing existing infrastructure or adopting new technologies.
Helping entrepreneurs develop and fund new business models that are aimed at value addition, job creation, social impact, etc.
Recycling agricultural waste (including pre and post-harvest waste)
Here are some of the benefits of the ASPIRE scheme:
The ASPIRE scheme helps in value addition in the agricultural and produce sector
The ASPIRE scheme helps in developing new and creative business models for value addition and aggregation in the rural areas.
The ASPIRE scheme helps in empowering new-age entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas.
The ASPIRE scheme helps rural and agro-based industries adopt new technology and infrastructure to maximise productivity.
The ASPIRE scheme helps create new employment opportunities, which in turn can empower small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
Applications for the ASPIRE can be sent to the ASPIRE Scheme Steering Committee of the Ministry of MSME. This committee will be responsible for coordination, overall policy as well as management support. The Council will be chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of MSME.
As of 2016, 80 Livelihood Business Incubators have been proposed to be set up by KVIC, NSIC, Coir Board or any other scheme or agency that’s aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and/or the agro and related industries. A one-time grant will be provided, this grant will be equivalent to 100% of the cost of plant & machinery (excluding the cost of land and other infrastructure) or a maximum amount of ₹100 Lakhs.
You can apply for funding under the ASPIRE scheme by sending across a formal proposal to the Member Convener, Scheme Steering Committee, ASPIRE, Office of the Joint Secretary (ARI Division) to this address - Ministry of MSME, Room no. 171, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi – 110011.
You should be able to find everything you need to know about the ASPIRE scheme by going on the official website of NSIC - www.nsic.co.in, or the Ministry of MSME - www.msme.gov.in.
You can only purchase plant and machinery with the grants received under this scheme.
The ASPIRE fund has a total corpus of ₹310 Crore.
Under Livelihood Business Incubation, there will be a provision for a funding of up to 100% of the cost of plant and machinery (this will not include land or infrastructure) or a maximum of ₹100 lakh, whichever is lower.
The ASPIRE scheme was introduced by the Government of India in 2015 to boost the growth of small and medium enterprises.
The full form of ASPIRE is ‘A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship’.