Startup Stairs & NSDA Initiates Growth Accelerator Program

 To identify the 20 most innovative startups that are aiming to improve the informal economy, Startup Stairs, a seed-stage accelerator in partnership with The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)  has announced the introduction of the “Growth Acceleration Program with 4i (Integrity, Inclusion, Innovation and Impact)” on the official Start-up India website.

Through this programme, 20 startups with the greatest ideas will be chosen, and Startup Stairs will provide seed investment in the range of Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

With an office and other resources, the accelerator will also give support for technology and government regulations. Moreover, NSDC will give businesses access to mentorship, assistance, and a network of training facilities while also assisting them in developing a business case and SOP.

The population’s education level, training, and certification directly affects a country’s skill index. The programme aims to bridge the gap between startups and the country’s skill ecosystem.

According to Preet Sandhuu who is the founder and director of Startup Stairs, “Startup Stairs was formed with a clear mission – promote and empower the evolution of startups and Micro enterprises to help them produce employment, wealth, and a resilient economy. The country can raise its skill index and increase the number of home-grown startups, that will attract foreign investors, by finding startups that can connect skilled and certified youth to the forward market through either employment or small business ownership”.

Startups that are recognised as entities by Startup India that are engaged to upskilling underserved, informal, and unorganised segments of society are eligible to apply for the growth acceleration programme. Startups that are applying should also be at the scaling stage with a ready tech platform and have a positive net worth at the time of application.

Interested startups must have a business plan to build a platform for certified individuals who are skilled and NSQF (National Skill Qualification Framework) aligned in order to be eligible. Visit this website (https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/ams-application/accelerator-program.html?applicationId=636cdcb3e4b05a0ea0a06188) to register if your startup is eligible.

The deadline to apply is November 25, 2022. 50 startups will be shortlisted on November 30 and invited to meet with investors in person from December 1 to December 8; the top 20 startups will be revealed on December 9.