The “Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)” guidelines were introduced under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) with the objective of supporting young innovators, scientists/technologists, and start-up ventures in the technical textiles sector to translate ideas into commercial technologies and products. Under the GREAT guidelines, each approved start-up is eligible for a maximum financial support of Rs. 50 lakh.
State-wise details of the 24 approved start-up projects are as follows:
| State/UT | No. of approved Start-up projects |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1 |
| Delhi | 5 |
| Gujarat | 3 |
| Karnataka | 2 |
| Maharashtra | 6 |
| Punjab | 1 |
| Tamil Nadu | 4 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1 |
| Uttarakhand | 1 |
| Total | 24 |
Start-ups are selected based on the eligibility criteria prescribed under the GREAT guidelines. The approved projects cover a range of technology domains, including advanced functional textiles such as temperature-responsive and self-sanitizing fabrics; smart textiles featuring graphene-based materials; energy-harvesting fabrics; shape-memory wearables for healthcare; and high-performance composites for automotive, construction and defence applications.
The projects also include sustainable and bio-based innovations such as hemp–bioplastic composites, biodegradable tire yarns and algae-derived leather, along with medical and healthcare solutions including surgical simulators and antimicrobial textile technologies.
A Review and Monitoring Committee has been constituted under the scheme to evaluate and oversee the progress of approved start-ups. Public events, workshops, seminars and outreach activities are conducted nationwide to facilitate industry engagement for scaling up start-up projects and to disseminate information about the scheme.
For individual applicants:
The applicant must be an Indian citizen of at least 21 years of age on the day of application (defined in section 11). The primary applicant must act as the Project Leader (as per Section 5) and will be responsible for communication and decision-making related to the grant.
The applicant must be incubated in an Incubator and is expected to have identified an Incubator at the time of application. An agreement with the Associated Incubator is required for final approval by the Empowered Programme Committee (EPC).
If the applicant is under formal employment or associated as a student/researcher with an academic or research organization, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer or head of institution must be submitted, clearly stating that the applicant:
- Is allowed to apply for the GREAT grant and that there is no conflict with current duties or obligations.
- Can accept funding support as an individual.
- Can manage funds in individual capacity under the Central Nodal Account (CNA) mechanism of Government of India.
- Can create an Enterprise.
Alternatively, the applicant must provide an undertaking to terminate association with the current employer and take up the project full time if the grant is approved. An approved resignation, relieving or retirement letter is required before release of the grant. The individual must have a registered company/start-up before the grant is released.
If the applicant is formally employed with a for-profit Startup Company, the application should be submitted under the Startup Company. Alternatively, the applicant must provide an undertaking to resign and take up the project full time if approved, with a resignation or relieving letter required before release of the grant.
An individual who is a promoter or shareholder of a Technical Textiles Startup Company is not eligible to apply as an individual, irrespective of shareholding percentage. In such cases, the application must be submitted through the Startup Company, provided it meets the eligibility criteria.
For Startup Companies:
The Startup must be incorporated as a private limited company or registered as a partnership firm or limited liability partnership, with turnover less than INR 100 Crores in any of the previous financial years. The entity should be engaged in innovation or improvement of existing products, services or processes, with potential to generate employment or create wealth. Entities formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business are not considered a Startup.
The Company must be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956/2013, and the incorporation date should not be more than 5 years at the time of applying for the GREAT call for application submission.
At least 51% of the capital must be owned by resident Indian citizen(s) or Indian companies ultimately owned and controlled by resident Indian citizen(s). The application must be represented by a Project Leader (defined in section 5).
The Startup Company should have adequate and functional R&D facilities to execute the project or be associated/incubated at an incubator for the project. If any promoter holding 20% or more shares in the applicant Startup Company is also a co-promoter or partner of another ineligible Startup Company, the applicant will not be eligible.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.