SPJIMR > Entrepreneur in Residence Fellowship Programme (EIR)

Supporting aspiring entrepreneurs

EIR is designed to support entrepreneurs at the idea stage and provide them with the resources, mentorship, and funding needed to succeed. Powered by the collective expertise of the Sunil Bhatia Start-up Resource Hub and our Accelerators, EIR cultivates a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem for aspiring founders. Each year, we select up to 10 exceptional founders to become fellows of WISE Tech, gaining access to comprehensive support to develop and launch their ventures.

The Entrepreneurs who go through EIR programme are not only coached on how to build successful ventures but also gain experience with the Wise Innovation Mindset. Each of our fellows would go through a structured start-up curriculum, have dedicated coaches tracking their progress through milestones and have complete access to our partners which include corporates & investors. In addition, through their work at the centre they would get experience in thinking on a holistic basis keep in mind the societal and environmental impact of their innovation.

Selection Criteria (S)
Seeding (S)
Support (S)

There are multiple points of entry into the EIR programme as outlined below:

WISE Tech ADMAP Committee (Start-up Track):

  • SPJIMR PGDM participants can choose to apply for the start-up track by submitting a brief write up on their start-up idea.
  • Up to 10 start-up ideas would be selected, allowing participants to utilise the WISE Tech platform to develop their start-up ideas during the PGDM programme while also working across the various initiatives of WISE Tech; thereby getting a comprehensive exposure to the start-up ecosystem.
  • Start-up ideas meeting the milestone criterion set by the Jury panel will be eligible for selection into the EIR programme that will commence at the end of the PGDM programme.

Sunil Bhatia Start-up Resource Hub Hackathons and Challenges:

  • The Sunil Bhatia Start-up Hub organises hackathons and challenges in sectors such as FinTech and Sustainability.
  • These events are open for participation to all start-ups and budding entrepreneurs, fostering diverse talent from various backgrounds.
  • Winners of these challenges will be considered for the EIR programme

Direct Application:

  • The EIR programme is open to all start-ups keen to benefit from the support offered by the SPJIMR network, resources, mentorship, and funding. So, founders with an operational MVP or a validated PoC are eligible to directly apply to the EIR programme.
  • We will consider each idea on its merits and subject to seat availability.

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At EIR, we understand the importance of providing start-ups with the necessary resources to flourish. Here’s how we support our fellows:

Comprehensive Support:

  • Monthly allowances to cover basic expenses.
  • Grants to fuel innovation and development.
  • Housing assistance to ensure a conducive working environment.
  • Access to invaluable resources such as workspace facilities, networking events, and industry connections.

Financial Support:

  • Start-ups are eligible to apply for grants to support start-ups through to commercialisation.
  • This financial backing ensures that start-ups have the necessary resources to thrive and scale their ventures.

Our support activities at EIR are meticulously designed to empower startups to become self-sufficient entities. Here’s how we ensure their success:

Dedicated Mentorship:

  • Each of the teams would be allotted a start-up coach who would be available for the participants to help them with direction, support and input as they build their start-up ideas.

Expert Mentor Pool:

  • You get an opportunity to work with a diverse pool of CXO mentors.
  • These mentors have been leaders in their respective fields with deep subject matter expertise.

Tailored Milestones:

  • Start-ups set their own milestones, aligning them with their unique goals and objectives.
  • Our focus is on achieving tangible results within a span of 12 to 18 months, ensuring steady progress and growth.

Graduation and Exit Criteria

Graduation from the EIR programme is milestone-based, with start-ups required to meet predefined goals to exit the programme successfully. The programme duration is 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance. Start-ups that fail to meet milestones risk losing their seat.

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