Technopreneur (Technology based entrepreneur) Promotion Program, popularly called the TePP scheme is promoted by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), government of India. This scheme is targeted towards individual innovators in enabling them convert their original ideas into workable models in the first phase and setting up of suitable business units for commercialization of the developed product/process/know how in the second phase.
In this scheme the innovator can perfect the workability of the product concept. Experimentation through R&D, Simulation studies, literature survey, and development of 3D computerized model of the component/product are permissible.
The maximum support under this scheme is Rs. 75000/ subject to 90% of the project cost or 90% of the project cost only if the amount works out to smaller than Rs.75000/.
In this scheme the innovator is fairly clear about the product concept. He wishes to take up prototype development of the product model to demonstrate workability. Activities of the nature such as designing, fabrication, technology/product testing, support from an R&D institution, an expert consultant's involvement in the project etc. are permissible.
The maximum amount permissible in TPF is Rs.15 lacs subject to 90% of the project cost or 90% of the project cost only if the amount is smaller than Rs. 15 lacs. If the total project cost is likely to exceed Rs. 5 lacs then the project will have to be furnished in phases with clearly specified deliverables in each phase. Based on the progress of the initial phase further funding for subsequent phases will be decided. The innovator cannot include his salary, lease rent of the leased premises etc. in the project cost. However there is provision for labour charges such as skilled technicians, testing inspectors etc. provided the cost of labour does not go beyond 20% of the Total project cost. Further there is provision for travel expenses at actual but not exceeding 5% of the Total project cost. There is also provision for actual costs associated with filing patent application in the Project cost. All the costs associated with the project shall be explicitly spelt out in detail in the prescribed columns of the Project cost particulars in the application form.
The innovator in this phase considers the product successfully developed through TPF above for commercialization. The innovator has no inclination to set up a unit of his own but seeks commercialization opportunities through licensing the product/process to established business units or joining an existing business house in the capacity of a Technology provider or out right sale of the technology/Product know how etc. To meet expenses associated with such Technology Transfer funding to the tune of maximum 7.5 lacs is provided in this phase subject to 90% of the project cost or 90% of the project cost only if the total project cost is less than 7.5 lacs.
In this scheme the innovator after establishing his product/process/know how decides to set up his own unit to commercialize the output of innovation. He is entitled to Rs. 45 lacs maximum subject to 50% of the Total project cost associated with developing his own business unit or 50% of the project cost only if the amount works out to less than 45lacs.