How to Apply for the Aspire Scheme – A Complete Guide

January 21, 2025

7 min read

With a 29% GDP contribution, MSME, often known as the “Engine of Growth in India,” employs almost 50 million people in India. The research alone demonstrates how crucial it is to support and implement various programs to aid in the growth of these medium-sized, small-scale, and micro-enterprises, particularly those in the agro-industry.

The Government of India launched the ASPIRE Scheme, officially known as the Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries, and Entrepreneurship, with assistance from the Ministry of MSME. The ASPIRE program assists MSMEs in boosting productivity and proving their value to India’s economy.

ASPIRE Scheme: Introduction

The ASPIRE scheme was started to establish incubator facilities and a network of technology centers to promote entrepreneurship throughout India. It aims to support startups for agro-industry innovation.

Even today, in India, the agriculture sector is still the main source of income for the majority of the population. Although the government launched numerous programs with creative ideas, issues with unemployment and poverty still exist nationwide. The government started this program to create jobs and establish businesses in the agricultural sector in order to avert it.

ASPIRE was established in 2015 to educate entrepreneurs on how to launch their firms and create jobs. It was designed to support startup businesses for innovation in rural areas and established agro-industries, as well as to create new jobs.

The goal of ASPIRE is to provide the know-how required for starting a business company and support them during their crucial time to ensure self-sustainability. Additionally, this plan makes market resources available to entrepreneurs. It was started with the “Make in India” campaign in mind, which identifies and builds an ecosystem that is conducive to fostering startups, promoting manufacturing facilities, and creating long-term employment prospects.

Objectives of ASPIRE Scheme

The objectives of ASPIRE are:

Promotion of India’s entrepreneurial culture;
Facilitation of innovative business solutions;
Creation of new jobs and the reduction of unemployment;
Support economic development at the district level;
Boost competitiveness in the MSME sector

Scope of ASPIRE

The assistance provided under this scheme is used for the following purposes:

Automating farming procedures and related tasks
Value addition for farm and forest products
Recycling of pre-and post-harvest agricultural wastes, animal husbandry, off-farm but connected to farm activities, etc.
Business concepts for value addition and aggregation that is applicable to rural areas, for social impact, and for the creation of local employment in rural areas

ASPIRE Scheme: Goals and Benefits

Create new jobs while reducing poverty and unemployment
Encourage business ownership
Foster creative business ideas to address unmet and underutilized social needs
Educate the youth on how to build entrepreneurial skills
Encourage district-level economic development
Increase the value of agricultural products
Buy cutting-edge plants and machinery under the ASPIRE Yojana
Recycle pre- and post-harvest agricultural waste
Network for business loans and resources

ASPIRE Scheme: Eligibility

In its 2019 union budget, the Indian government announced that the ASPIRE Scheme would create up to 20 technology business angels, up to 80 livelihood companies, and almost 75,000 skilled innovators in the agro-rural industry sectors.

The following are eligible for obtaining the benefits under ASPIRE-

Any entrepreneur who wants to launch a startup
All technical, academic, and research institutions (even those that focus on rural and agro-based industries)
All MSMEs having registered entrepreneurs’ memorandums
Any institution or agency working in the fields of technology, business management, rural development, and entrepreneur development under the control of the Government of India or any State Government
Any existing incubation centers run by various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, as well as any institutions at the national or regional level

ASPIRE Scheme: Key Elements

LBI or Livelihood Business Incubator

The Livelihood Business Incubation program seeks to establish and develop business incubators to aid in the incubation of enterprises, spread entrepreneurial education, and assist entrepreneurs in gaining access to capital for the launch and operation of new ventures. Its primary goal is to promote an entrepreneurial spirit while generating local jobs that will lower unemployment rates. The Livelihood Business Incubation also aids in fostering an atmosphere that is favorable and sustainable for enterprises to thrive.

LBI creates a conducive environment for the entrepreneurship culture at the Local Level, creates jobs, and eradicates unemployment. Engaging in commercial endeavors accomplishes this.

TBI or Technology Business Incubator

Technology Business Incubation is an incubation facility designed to use technology adoption and technological advancements to support the expansion of enterprises in India. The goal is to provide entrepreneurs and small company owners with the technical expertise they need to grow their companies. The key initiatives pursued by Technology Business Incubation include accelerator programs, the incubation of enterprises and business ideas, etc.

SIDBI, or Small Industries Development Bank Of India

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) assists companies and entrepreneurs with business concepts that are scalable and commercially viable by assisting them in obtaining the funding they need to grow their companies. Entrepreneurs can obtain financial support from the SIDBI through various channels, such as quasi-equity, venture capital funds, equity, angel funds, venture capital funds, challenge funds, etc.

SIDBI, with its creation of funds under the scheme, is the primary driving force behind all of this. SIDBI plays a significant role in helping to support and nurture everyone who wants to be successful in the field of innovation entrepreneurship.

ASPIRE Scheme: Application Process

To get advantages under the ASPIRE plan, an application should be submitted to the Ministry of MSME’s Aspire Plan Steering Committee – https://aspire.msme.gov.in/ASPIRE/AFHome.aspx . When you apply for the program, the Ministry of MSME’s ASPIRE Scheme steering committee receives it. The same group is in charge of offering assistance with the plan. The steering committee for the ASPIRE Scheme, which is part of the Ministry of MSME, deals with the overall procedure and distributes all rewards to the scheme’s beneficiaries once the business has met all eligibility requirements.

Conclusion

The ASPIRE Scheme by the Government of India promotes innovation, rural industries, and entrepreneurship in the MSME sector, with a focus on the agro-industry. It aims to boost productivity, create jobs, and enhance competitiveness. Eligible applicants include entrepreneurs, academic institutions, and registered MSMEs. The scheme offers benefits like job creation, youth entrepreneurship education, economic development, and access to resources. The application process involves submitting an application to the Ministry of MSME’s ASPIRE Scheme Steering Committee. Overall, ASPIRE strives to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth in the agro-industry and MSME sectors in India.

ASPIRE Scheme FAQs:

1. Who is eligible to apply for the ASPIRE Scheme?

Entrepreneurs, academic institutions, registered MSMEs, and government-controlled agencies working in technology, business management, rural development, and entrepreneur development are eligible to apply.

2. What is the goal of the ASPIRE Scheme?

The scheme aims to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, job creation, and economic development in the agro-industry and MSME sectors.

3. What is the scope of the ASPIRE Scheme?

The scheme covers areas such as automating farming procedures, value addition for agricultural products, recycling agricultural waste, and creating business concepts for rural areas.

4. How can ASPIRE Scheme beneficiaries access funding?

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) provides financial support to entrepreneurs and businesses through various channels, including quasi-equity, venture capital funds, equity, and angel funds.

5. What are the benefits of the ASPIRE Scheme?

The scheme offers benefits such as job creation, promotion of business ownership, addressing social needs through innovative ideas, entrepreneurial skills development, district-level economic development, and increased value of agricultural products.