India’s push to accelerate innovation in technical textiles has taken a major leap with the Ministry of Textiles formally releasing the GREAT—Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles—guidelines under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). The scheme is designed to energize the country’s start-up landscape by helping young scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, and innovators transform promising ideas into commercially viable products.
Under GREAT, each approved project can receive up to ₹50 lakh in financial support. So far, 24 start-ups have been selected at a combined project cost of ₹12.16 crore, of which ₹10.79 crore is being funded by the Government of India. These projects, spread across multiple states, represent some of India’s most forward-looking work in advanced materials and performance textiles.
Start-ups chosen under the scheme meet the eligibility parameters outlined in Para 6 of the GREAT guidelines. The cohort spans an impressive breadth of technology areas—ranging from smart, functional textiles such as temperature-responsive fabrics, self-sanitizing materials, graphene-enabled smart textiles, and energy-generating nanofibre fabrics, to shape-memory wearables for healthcare and next-generation composites for sectors including defence, automotive, and construction.
Equally notable is the cluster of sustainability-driven innovations: hemp bioplastic composites, biodegradable tyre yarns, algae-based leather alternatives, and a variety of bio-inspired materials. Medical and health-tech innovations also feature prominently, including textile-based surgical simulators, advanced antimicrobial textiles, and smart protective systems.
To ensure accountability and consistent progress, a dedicated Review and Monitoring Committee has been established. In parallel, the Ministry is hosting a series of nationwide workshops, seminars, and public engagement programs to expand industry participation and raise awareness about the opportunities created under the scheme.
A detailed state-wise list of the 24 approved start-ups reflects the geographic breadth of participation—from Punjab and Delhi to Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand—each incubated under leading institutions such as IIT Delhi, IIT Ropar, ATIRA, WRA, SITRA, NITRA, BTRA, DKTE, and others.
The guidelines also clarify in depth the eligibility requirements for both individual innovators and start-up companies, including age criteria, incubator association, NOC requirements for applicants employed in academic or research institutions, incorporation rules, shareholding norms, and conditions governing start-up age, turnover limits, R&D capabilities, and promoter cross-holdings.
The information was shared by Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.