2. Highlights :

• • Duration: 1- year
• • Focus: Hardware and system startups with vertical and horizontal technology focus more particularly mentioned below
• • Program benefits: Funding, Technical support, Business mentoring, Facilitation for product development, International visits
• • Equity: 2%*
*Refer 8(g).

3. Scope :

The Program aims to find, fund, and facilitate hardware and systems-based startups from across India with technologies such as

- Artificial Intelligence-Machine Learning (AI-ML)

- Blockchain

- Internet of Things (IoT)

in the domains of Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail and Transportation.

4. Program benefits :

• a. Financial Support:
  • Upfront cash support of 10 lakhs per company
• b. International visits & connection
  • Connection with Taiwan hardware ecosystem. Winners would get a chance to go to Israel.
• c. Infrastructure & Technical support
  • Need based access to Intel India Maker Lab in Bengaluru & SINE facilities in Mumbai.
  • Technical support for design and product development.
  • Access to product design software, Intel tools, cloud credits, reference boards, design collaterals, test & debugging equipment.
• d. Mentoring & coaching:
  • Intensive bootcamp module at the start of the program
  • Expert sessions on business & technology development aspects throughout the program
  • Mentoring from experts from Intel, SINE and other domain experts for relevant platforms, products & solutions.
  • One-on-one business and technical mentoring in addition to in-house support.
• e. Business Network:
  • Regular networking events with entrepreneurs and industry experts.
  • Assistance in go to market efforts for relevant target markets.
  • Industry insights and customer validation support.
  
• f. Testing & product certification support:
  • Introduction to partners to conduct field trials for real time usage of the products/solutions to get relevant feedback
  • Training, mentoring and introductions for product certification
  
• g. Product development & manufacturing support:
  • Facilitation to connect with ecosystem of design houses for software, hardware/board & enclosures, Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) companies, and Electronic Manufacturing Service (EMS) companies.
  
• h. Visibility and demo day:
  • Opportunities to showcase products in various events, including a demo day for pitching to investors, industry experts, mentors etc.
• i. Post program support:
  • Continued technical and business advisory support
  • Mentoring
  • Business and investors connections
  • Funding on selective basis

5. Program phases :

The 1-year Program will have following phases starting from June 2018 and concluding on June 2019. (Dates may change due to the circumstances beyond control of the Organisers, however the format of the Program will remain unchanged).

• a. Application phase: Nationwide application phase will be open from 22nd June 2018 to 22nd July 2018.
• b. Selection: Up to top 50 teams will be chosen for evaluation by a jury of experts in Bengaluru, out of which up to top 30 teams will be selected for an initial 3-4 day bootcamp.
• c. Bootcamp: Out of the teams that go through the bootcamp, up to 15 teams will be selected for full program benefits. Selected teams will be given 3-4 weeks to complete company registration (if not already done) and program formalities including execution of the Agreement with SINE and Intel to receive full program benefits. Any of the selected teams failing to register the company or complete program formalities will be dropped from the program. Organisers may invite one or more teams from non-selected group to replace the teams dropped from the program.
• d. Program support: Selected companies will receive cash grant, support in prototyping, international visit and linkages, product refinement, manufacturing, business model validation, and commercialization, as applicable. There will be coaching sessions by industry experts, one-on-one mentors, and feedback from industry partners/investors.
• e. Investor and Demo day: Selected teams present to investors, potential business partners and industry representatives.

6. Eligibility and evaluation parameters are as follows including but not limited to the following:

Eligibility :

• a. Promoters of hardware and systems-based startups with technologies such as:

- Artificial Intelligence-Machine Learning (AI-ML)

- Blockchain

- Internet of Things (IoT)

in the domains of Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail and Transportation.

• b. Technology Proof-of-concept or prototype ready.
• c. The Program is open to teams and incorporated startups in India:
• Applicants should be at least 18 years of age on 1st of January, 2018
• Majority of founding team members should be resident of India.
• Teams with technology readiness at Proof-of-concept or prototype level can apply. However, preference will be given to incorporated startups at the time of admission. In case of startups, company incorporation must be on or after 1st January 2014.
• Selected teams would need to form a private limited company (if not already incorporated) at the time of selection, to avail full program benefits.

• d. Startups must have high potential to scale (i.e. have IP and/or a clear competitive advantage addressing a large potential market).
• e. The following persons are not eligible to participate in the Program:
• An employee of Intel
• A member or employee of SINE
• An employee/member of Department of Science and Technology
• A member of the Evaluation panel, Mentoring panel, or Jury for the Program

Evaluation :

7. Application process:

To participate in the Program, the participant must complete and submit the application form :

• a. Online application with in a prescribed format to be duly completed, along with a link to an online video/photo of the product or prototype, and submitted on or before 11:59 pm IST on 22nd July 2018. Online application will be available at the following link: www.plugin.org.in (“Program website”).
• b. Participants should not include technical details to the extent that might affect their ability to protect their Intellectual Property (IP) rights.
• c. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review process.
• d. On successful submission of application, participant will receive a confirmation email.
• e. The submission must comply with the requirements as set out in the Guidelines mentioned on the online Application form.
• f. Correspondence: Any correspondence from the Program to participant will be by phone calls, email or text message on the mobile number provided by the participant at time of registration. Organizers are not liable in case of email or text message delivery failures.
• g. Should the Organizers require additional information, SINE will contact the registered participant via email.
• h. Organizers are under no obligation to entertain any application received after the last date of applications.
• i. Only applications submitted via application form will be considered. Applications via email will not be considered.

8. Participant Obligations :

Participant agrees to:

• a. Provide factually correct details while filling application form, and not to hide any material information that has bearing on reviewers’ judgement for selection.
• b. Participate in the activities proposed under the Program in accordance with the schedule delivered at the end of selection process.
• c. Limit number of members to 2 per company to participate in the program.
• d. Provide information to SINE about fundraising, jobs created and general business development for up to 3 years after the end of the Program.
• e. Authorize the Organizers to use the startup’s name and project name in promotional materials of current and future Programs.
• f. Agree not to participate in the Program in any manner that might infringe on any third-party proprietary, IP, industrial property or other rights, including but without limitation, copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret or confidentiality obligation.
• g. Agree to transfer 2% equity to SINE as one of the organizers, at start of the program for availing full program benefits. Companies having raised angel/VC investment more than INR 2Cr, the program benefits, terms and conditions may be modified at the discretion of the program organisers. Any additional funding will be subject to additional equity or convertible equity.
• h. Agree for SINE to collect the team and the startup’s personal information necessary for managing the Program.

9. Intellectual Property (IP):

• a. Organizers do not claim ownership over the applications submitted or any new IP developed by the participants during the Program. However, by submitting an application, participant grants the Organizers rights to publish participants name or alias in connection with this Program.
• b. Originality: Applicants claiming the idea, technology as original or patentable or patented, should be able to produce the documentary evidence to that effect. Further, they have to declare that they are not infringing the IP owned by a third party.
• c. Third party technology: If an idea has been patented by, or is the property of, a third party, the originator of the idea must agree through a legally enforceable instrument to the use of the idea by the applicant and must be expressly credited in the Idea / Business Summary, Demo Pitch and Business Plan.
• d. Participant must be able to answer questions as to IP from the Evaluation Panel at screening phase, Investment Committee and Demo day Jury. If the Evaluation Panel, Investment Committee, Jury, Organizers feel that the spirit of Program has been violated, Organizers through SINE retains the right to disqualify the entry.

10. Eligibility to funds :

Program will offer cash support, seed funds / equity investments. However, Organisers may apply discretion in release of funds for specific reasons or under specific circumstances.

11. Participation in program :

Participation in coaching and training program is mandatory for receiving full program benefits, international visits, and participation in Demo day. Two members from each team selected for the Program will be permitted participation in various events, training, coaching during the Program. As the companies will be provided with upfront cash support post admission and due diligence, the cost of stay and related costs will be borne by the selected teams.

13. Post program support :

14. Participants represent, warrant and covenant that the application does not :

• a. Infringe on any third party IP rights and further do not violate any confidentiality obligations of the Participant;
• b. Contain any software or programming code subject to any restrictions or third-party limitations without prior written notice to Organizers;
• c. Contain any viruses, worms, spyware, other components or instructions that are malicious, deceptive or designed to limit or harm the functionality of a computer or hack in to database;
• d. Include any Participant owned trade secrets or third party trade secrets (No such trade secrets will be required by Organizers to evaluate the applications);
• e. Contain material that may be considered as defamatory, libelous, hateful, racially or religiously biased or offensive, threatening or harassing to any individual, partnership or corporation; and
• f. Violate any statutory provisions.

16. No liability :

Intel, SINE, DST, Program Partners, Ecosystem Partners, members of Evaluation Panel, Selected Jury, Mentoring Panel, Advisors, supporting organizations or any employee or agent of Intel, SINE, DST, Program Partners, Ecosystem Partners, shall NOT be liable for :

• a. Any costs incurred or loss or liability suffered by the participant in relation to the Program;
• b. Any loss in expectation of profits or benefits by participant
• c. Any failure by participant to understand the rights in relation to IP, or the rights of the Organizers, supporting organizations or any third party in relation to IP; or
• d. Any other benefit the participant may expect to gain by participating in the Program

17. Confidentiality :

• a. Members of the Jury, Advisors and Mentors will be appointed on the basis that they will not be disclosing or using any details of the participants, or Ideas or any other information submitted in connection with the Program, except in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, and in their capacity as member of Evaluation Panel/Mentor/Jury/Advisor.
• b. Organizers cannot accept any responsibility for the actions of any evaluation panel member, Mentor or member of the Jury for their obligations in respect of confidentiality.
• c. Organizers will not sign any Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the applicants at the application stage. While every effort will be made to preserve the confidentiality of each submission, it is suggested that highly sensitive material be excluded from the entry if a team is concerned about the confidentiality of such material. Note, however, that finalist teams will be making brief presentations to a Jury and an audience. All reasonable measures to ensure the protection of IP of Business Summary, Demo Pitch and Business Plans received for the Program will be taken. Protection of such rights is however, ultimately the responsibility of each participant.
• d. All the information received during this Program including but not limited to scores, business plan summaries etc shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person or entity by any party thereto and cannot be disclosed outside the Program organizers, supporting organizations as mentioned on www.plugin.org.in and Jury and Investment Committee as constituted by Organizers and its supporting organizations
• e. No Use - The Organizers and supporting organizations agree not to use the Confidential Information to manufacture / give service or test any product embodying Confidential Information received during this Program
• f. No Disclosure - The Organizers and supporting organizations agree to use reasonable efforts to prevent and protect the Confidential Information including but not limited to scores, business plan summaries etc., or any part thereof, from disclosure to any person.
• g. Protection of Secrecy - The Organizers and supporting organizations agree to take all steps reasonably necessary to protect the secrecy of the Confidential Information, and to prevent the Confidential Information from falling into the public domain or into the possession of unauthorized persons.

18. Disclaimer :

Organizers assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries. Organizers are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any application to be received by SINE on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to Participant's or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in this Program or downloading any materials of this Program. Organizers are not responsible for applications not received due to lost, failed, delayed or interrupted connections or miscommunications, or other electronic malfunctions. Organizers are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate entry information, whether caused by participants, any other persons or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Program.

25. Termination :

Organizers may at any time :

• a. Disqualify a participant from the Program for breach of any terms & conditions of the Program; or
• b. Discontinue the Program by posting a notice to that effect on the Website
• c. Disputes, if any, are subject to the jurisdiction in the courts of Mumbai only.