Green Bengal Innovation Network
A joint initiative of SwitchON Foundation & Network for Global Innovation (NGIN) supported by the Government of West Bengal.
GBIN is a network of incubators, universities, business associations to incubate, support and scale Green Entrepreneurs, MSMEs and businesses across West Bengal. Backed by the Department of Power, Government of West Bengal and supported by the SED Fund, a Netherlands based philanthropic institution, GBIN is a joint initiative of SwitchON Foundation and California based think-tank Network for Global Innovation (NGIN).
Objectives of GBIN
- To encourage an entrepreneurial culture towards a green economy in the state
- To support the creation and growth of green sustainable companies
- To increasing availability of investment funding for start-ups
What do we do
GBIN works in a distinctive form of network based on the Hub and Spoke model. The network through competitions/challenges, symposiums, training and workshops, resources like training modules, collaborative initiatives will bring together thought leaders from academia, industry and social sector under one umbrella.
SwitchON Foundation manages the hub and anchors GBIN in the state while the city based spoke is managed by the leading institutions across Bengal to provide support in the form of incubation, acceleration, mentorship alongside delivering GBIN programmes to regional entrepreneurs.
Our Sectors
Current members of GBIN
Incubation Partners:
Academic institutions
To know more about GBIN and how to become a member, download the brochure
Key Initiatives
1. The Greenovation Club
The Greenovation Club is a unique initiative to empower students of colleges and universities of West Bengal to sustainably build the world around them through ‘entrepreneurship’ , starting on their very own college campuses.
The Greenovation Club provides opportunities and resources to young minds to develop entrepreneurial skills in the area of sustainability. The mission of the programme is to inspire and inform the next generation of green business leaders.
To know more about the programme, download the brochure
2. Green Entrepreneurs Forum
The forum aims to bring together sustainable entrepreneurs working as manufacturers, service providers, recyclers, with special focus in major districts and cities of West Bengal – Kolkata & Greater Kolkata area, Nadia, Purba Burdwan, Pashchim Burdwan, Purulia, Bankura, Siliguri. The objectives of the programme are:
- To identify the early stage, mid-level and seasoned green entrepreneurs and startups of West Bengal and conduct a need assessment exercise with them to create an enabling ecosystem.
- To design long term engagement projects and plans mapped with the needs identified as per value chains
- To bring in relevant ecosystem partners into GBIN to provide specified services and support to the participating enterprises and startups
The Forum has been launched in Kolkata, Burdwan, Durgapur.
3. Green Enterprise Fellowship (2023-24)
The SwitchON Foundation – GBIN Green Enterprise Fellowship (GEF) is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young changemakers and aspiring entrepreneurs to contribute to the urban and semi-urban green or sustainable enterprises of the state, and thereby add to the green economy of West Bengal. The programme is an initiative of SwitchON Foundation and Network for Global Innovation, California, and is supported by the Department of Power, Government of West Bengal to promote green entrepreneurship. Each GEF fellow will be placed in a dedicated urban/rural green enterprise where they will be understanding the enterprise’s challenges and handhold them on topics like
- Marketing – Branding Building, Market linkages
- Communications – Social Media, Website Development, Content Development, Graphics/Animation
- Finance – Funding, Business Plans, Pricing
- Technical – Research and Development, Agri / Non Agri Value Chain Development
The objectives of GEF are:
- To help green entrepreneurs and enterprises reach their full potential and receive dedicated expertise and support from young fellows for a period of 1 year
- To help youth ignite a spirit of entrepreneurship, particularly in the domain of sustainability
- To make youth future ready for green jobs through real time projects at existing enterprises
To know more about the fellowship, download the Job Description
Glimpse of our past events
Video
Additional Chief Secretary, Power Department, WB Government speaks about GBIN
Green Bengal Innovation Contest
A sustainability business idea competition forindividuals and start-ups
Application Deadline : 26th January, 2024
About the Contest:
The Green Bengal Innovation Contest is a platform for individuals and startups to showcase and demonstrate their innovative solutions addressing sustainability challenges in West Bengal.
Who Can Apply:
This challenge is open to students, researchers, and startups with ideas aligned with the themes. While participants from outside the state are welcome to apply, the ideas should resonate with the needs of Bengal.
Benefits of Participating:
By participating in the Green Bengal Innovation Contest, you will not only have a chance to win valuable rewards and recognition but also gain access to a range of benefits:
- Seed Grants: Generous seed grants for both students and startups.
- For young entrepreneur category: Winner- 50K, 1st runner up- 30K, 2nd runner up- 20k
- For startup category: Winner- 2 lakhs, 1st runner up- 1.5 lakhs, 2nd runner up- 1 lakh
- Mentoring Support: Access to mentoring, intensive training, and knowledge workshops.
- Pitch to Investors: Opportunity to pitch your idea to investors and raise funds for your venture.
- Networking: Visibility and networking opportunities with investors, government representatives, mentors, businesses, and incubators.
- Incubator Support: Support from incubators like IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and Villgro.
- Market Access: Assistance in accessing potential markets and consumer bases.
Partners:
Outreach Partner: Y-East
Ecosystem Partner: Villgro
Supported by GoWB
How to Apply:
To participate, simply fill out the application form by visiting the following link: https://bit.ly/3SLWcEH
Selection Process:
Stage 1 : Due diligence and shortlisting
Received applications will go through a due diligence process, conducted by SwitchON Foundation from where applications will be shortlisted for the next stage
Stage 2: Mentorship programme
Shortlisted applicants will undergo 3 rounds of month mentorship sessions on a range of topics required for jump-starting a business
Stage 3: Pitch to the jury
At the end of the training process, shortlisted applicants will be required to pitch their business model and value proposition to an esteemed panel of jury from where the winner will be selected
Timelines & important Dates:
Application deadline 26th January, 2024 Announcement of shortlisted applicants post due diligence 30th January, 2024 Training to shortlisted applicants Feb-March-April 2024 Presentation to jury May 2024 Winner declaration May-June 2024
Apply NowFor queries, Contact
Akash Ghosh Karmakar (Phone: +919147333181)
Anisha Pandey (Phone: +91 9147183618)