Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog is Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country and was setup in 2016. Towards this end AIM has taken a holistic approach to ensure creation of a problem-solving innovative mindset in schools and creating an ecosystem of entrepreneurship in universities, research institutions, private and MSME sector. All the initiatives of AIM are currently monitored and managed systematically using real-time MIS systems and dynamic dashboards. AIM is also currently having its programs reviewed by third party agencies for ensuring continuous improvements.
Atal Tinkering Labs - at school level
AIM has launched the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) program. ATL is a state-of-the-art space established in a school with a goal to foster curiosity and innovation in young minds, between grade 6th to 12th across the country through 21st century tools and technologies such as Internet of Things, 3D printing, rapid prototyping tools, robotics, miniaturized electronics, do-it-yourself kits and many more. The aim is to stimulate a problem-solving innovative mindset within the children of the ATL and nearby communities. Till date, AIM has established 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in Schools across the country.
Atal Incubation Centres - Building Startups and Entrepreneurs ecosystem of India
Atal Incubation Centres or AICs are business incubators established by AIM at universities, institutions and corporates to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among young innovators of the country. These Atal Incubation Centres aim to foster world-class innovation and support dynamic entrepreneurs, who want to build scalable and sustainable enterprises. AIM has successfully operationalized 72 AICs across India. These AIC enable startups by providing technical facilities, resource-based support, mentorship, funding support, partnerships and networking, co-working spaces and lab facilities among others. 3500+ startups are incubated at these AICs and have created more than 32000 jobs in the ecosystem. About 1000+ startups have a women leader and founder. AICs supports startups from diverse areas such as Healthteach, Fintech, EdTech, Space and Drone Tech, AR/VR, Food Processing, Tourism, among others.
Atal Community Innovation Centres - serving Unserved and Under-Served regions of India
To promote the benefits of technology led innovation to the unserved/underserved regions of India including Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, aspirational districts, tribal, hilly and coastal areas, AIM is setting up Atal Community Innovation Centres with a unique partnership driven model wherein AIM would grant upto Rs 2.5 crores to an ACIC subject to a partner proving equal or greater matching funding. So far 14 ACICs have been established across the country.
Atal New India Challenges - Product and Service Innovation with National Impact
Atal New India Challenge is a flagship program of Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. The program aims to seek, select, support and nurture technology-based innovations that solve sectoral challenges of national importance and societal relevance. ANIC solicits innovations in the prototype stage and supports the selected start-ups throughout the commercialization stage over the course of 12 – 18 months by funding up to INR 1 crore and other associated support. 53 Startups have been supported with grant-in-aid under ANIC phase 1, and 88 Startups have been shortlisted for grant-in-aid and mentorship support under ANIC phase 2 program.
Mentor of Change (Mentorship and Partnerships - with Public, Private sector, NGOs, Academia, Institutions)
To enable all the initiatives to succeed AIM has launched one of the largest mentor engagement and management program "Mentor India – The Mentors of Change". Till date AIM has over 6200+ Mentors registered under the Programme.
