Applications Invited for Nexus 3.0

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About the Organization

The mission of U.S. Department of State is to protect and promote U.S. security, prosperity, and democratic values and shape an international environment in which all Americans can thrive.

The mission of the United States Embassy is to advance the interests of the United States, and to serve and protect U.S. citizens in India.

About the Grant

The U.S. Department of State's Public Diplomacy Section in New Delhi invites proposals from eligible non-profit, non-governmental organizations to develop and implement public diplomacy programs in collaboration with the Nexus Start-up Hub at the American Center in New Delhi.  This initiative aims to address the growing interest among Indian business sectors in adopting U.S. entrepreneurial skills and values, thereby fostering cultural and economic ties between the two nations.

By leveraging the Nexus platform and the expertise of American Center New Delhi, this project aims to equip emerging Indian business leaders with the necessary skills to engage with Indo-Pacific investors and partners, particularly from the United States.  Through these efforts, we seek to further strengthen bilateral relations while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

The project's one-year timeline will focus on expanding Nexus's reach to a broader and more diverse audience, aligning with the Public Diplomacy Section's objectives.  This expansion will involve offering knowledge and training in state-of-the-art American incubator management to India's extensive network of over 1,000 incubators. The primary location for these activities will be the American Center in New Delhi, ensuring accessibility and maximizing impact; however, partner organizations will be expected to conduct business sector outreach and network management at locations throughout India and in conjunction with U.S. Mission India constituent consulates.

Background: There is a strong desire across business sectors in India to study and adapt the skills and values of the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem.  With the goal of building cultural and economic bridges between individuals and companies in the start-up space, Nexus Start-up Hub at American Center New Delhi launched in Spring 2017 and quickly established itself as a leader in sharing American best practices with entrepreneurs from across India.  The Public Diplomacy Section in New Delhi plans to continue providing this expertise, preparing emerging Indian business leaders to engage with Indo-Pacific investors and business partners, especially those from the United States, while also broadening the scope of Nexus to reach a larger, more diverse audience.

From 2017 to present, Nexus annually recruits and trains two cohorts of 15 to 17 start-up companies per nine-week residential session.  To date, the Nexus Start-up Hub at American Center New Delhi has incubated 216 companies or “graduates” in its alumni network.  Nexus graduates have raised more than $65 million in funding.  Nexus startups have created over 9,000 jobs and have concluded over 100 deals with American companies.

India currently hosts more than 1,000 incubators across the country, creating an opportunity for Nexus to provide knowledge and training in state-of-the-art American incubator management and utilizing this platform to extend the reach of American entrepreneurship expertise.

Project Audience(s): This project is primarily targeted at Indian entrepreneurs having a distinct and innovative business idea or product, a feasible business model, a dedicated team and a well-defined market opportunity; and incubator managers representing a diverse cross-section of industry sectors and geography.  The ideal cohort and training participants are entrepreneurship and incubator leaders with demonstrated success and potential for growth in their chosen business sector, looking to expand their knowledge base, learn best practices, and strengthen partnerships with the U.S. business community, potentially through commercial deals, business networks (or connections), industry associations, and other collaborative efforts.  Successful entrepreneurs and incubator managers operating in high-priority sectors aligned with U.S.-India critical and emerging technology collaboration efforts are highly sought after and should be added to an existing network of Nexus alumni, with ongoing outreach and programming activities to engage Nexus alumni through specially designed programs.  These critical and emerging technologies include, but are not limited to: Advanced Computing, Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnologies, Networked Sensors and Sensing, and Space Technologies and Systems.  To support this growing network, one outreach event (with approximately 100 participants) will bring together recent Nexus graduates and American businesses exploring opportunities to collaborate and pursue commercial ties.  Planned in coordination with American Center New Delhi, each event should reach equal numbers (~50) of representatives from American businesses and recent Nexus cohorts.

• Approximately 25 to 75 participants (e.g., startup companies and industry representatives) are trained and connected to each other through one to three regional, industry-specific workshops that focus on key business sectors of strategic importance to the U.S.-India economic relationship, such as health/pharmaceuticals/biotechnology, defense/military, agriculture, and higher education.
• Up to 25 incubator managers across India are trained to operate more effective, strategic, and productive incubation hubs utilizing U.S. best practices.  Assessment of this objective must be included in the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) outlined in paragraph D, Section 2 below.
• To support Mission India’s priorities in women’s economic empowerment, each Nexus cohort class will strive to have at least one-third (33 percent) participation by women entrepreneurs.
• Given India’s emerging role as a leader in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the enduring success of the incubator hub at the American Center New Delhi, one of the region’s premier American spaces, we are proposing a secondary (but smaller) pilot audience of regional entrepreneurs.  In 2024, the U.S. Department of State will launch the Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI), identifying and cultivating up and coming leaders ages 18-40.  Participants will be drawn from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.   One of the three focus areas for YSALI will be entrepreneurship.  In addition, India is part of the Indo Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a key component of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and a priority for the U.S. government.  This framework will advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for our economies.  Through this initiative, the IPEF partners aim to contribute to cooperation, stability, prosperity, development, and peace within the region.   In addition to India, IPEF members needing support include Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brunei. While no deliverables are tied to this NOFO for IPEF, we request the partner to be open to additional opportunities to meet or engage with IPEF programs as requested by the U.S. Mission.   

Project Goal:  To strengthen Indian innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership through an India-wide residential incubator hub at American Center New Delhi. 

Project Objectives:  Over the span of 12 months, this initiative focuses on maintaining and overseeing the existing full-time residential incubator hub at the American Center New Delhi while orchestrating regional entrepreneurship workshops across India in vital economic sectors such as health, defense, agriculture, and education.  Additionally, a series of training seminars will be developed for incubator managers nationwide.  These efforts aim to strengthen connections between U.S. and Indian business sectors, as well as enhance ties between U.S. companies and Indian startups.  This is achieved by aligning the Indian entrepreneurship ecosystem with U.S. business best practices and facilitating connections between successful program graduates and American companies within their respective sectors.  This is accomplished through training, networking, and fostering alignment with American entrepreneurial strategies and values.  The project aims to showcase U.S. entrepreneurship best practices to emerging regional networks, with key metrics including post-graduation business generation, startup profitability, and partnerships with American companies. By assembling a team of subject matter experts, the Nexus incubator hub at the American Center New Delhi aspires to lead the way in nurturing India's startup ecosystem.

Deliverables:

• Thirty to thirty-four promising start-up companies (i.e., two in-person cohorts of 15-17 each) graduate from the Nexus program with greater knowledge, strategic focus, business acumen, and prospective networks/connections with U.S. businesses as a result of their participation in the Nexus training program at American Center New Delhi.  At least one-third (or 10-11 graduates) should be women-led companies.
• Oversee a growing network of Nexus program alumni with ties to American businesses by conducting one outreach event with approximately 100 participants which brings together recent Nexus graduates and American business representatives exploring opportunities to collaborate and pursue commercial ties.  Planned in conjunction with American Center New Delhi, each event should be comprised of equal representation from American businesses and recent Nexus graduates.
• One to three industry-specific workshops across India for 25 participants each.
• One incubator management seminar reaching at least 25 managers.
• A 3-day in-person workshop for 30 Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI) members. (The project should include delivered content only; travel and other logistics for out of country members will be handled separately.)
• Position the American Center’s incubator as a resource for regional entrepreneurship training opportunities by engaging in one or more of the following activities:

• Host networking events, conferences, or workshops where entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and industry experts can connect, share ideas, and explore collaboration opportunities.
• Providing Mentorship Programs: Establish mentorship programs where experienced entrepreneurs or professionals offer guidance, advice, and support to aspiring or early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Offering Training and Workshops: Conduct training sessions and workshops on various aspects of entrepreneurship, such as business planning, marketing, finance, and technology, to equip entrepreneurs with essential skills and knowledge.
• Creating an Online Platform: Develop an online platform or resource center that provides access to valuable information, tools, templates, and resources for entrepreneurs, including articles, guides, case studies, and webinars.
• Facilitating Access to Funding: Facilitate connections with investors, venture capitalists, angel investors, or funding agencies to help entrepreneurs secure the capital they need to start or scale their businesses.
• Partnering with Educational Institutions: Collaborate with universities, colleges, and educational institutions to offer entrepreneurship programs, internships, or incubation support to students or alumni interested in starting their own businesses.
• Engaging with Government Agencies: Build relationships with local or regional government agencies, economic development organizations, or chambers of commerce to advocate for policies that support entrepreneurship and to access resources or funding opportunities for entrepreneurs.
• Showcasing Success Stories: Highlight success stories of local or regional entrepreneurs who have achieved significant milestones or made a positive impact in their communities. This can inspire others and demonstrate the organization's role in supporting entrepreneurship.

Prospective grant award applicants must submit proposals that address deliverable one (two in-person cohorts of 15-17 promising startup companies) to be considered for the award.  Prospective applicants are further highly encouraged to submit proposals that address deliverables two through six of this solicitation as well.

Eligibility

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Not-for-profit organizations
• Civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Think tanks
• Public and private educational institutions
• Individuals
• Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

How to Apply

Deadline for Applications: May 6, 2024 [11:59 pm midnight Washington DC].

Application forms required are available at www.grants.gov  

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Tags Entrepreneurship Governance Skill Development Others