USHUS is a startup support program of CSL in association with IITM to augment the Government of India's initiatives to encourage and develop an ecosystem in India to support Maritime Startups from the technical, regulatory, financial, and marketing points of view by bringing all the stakeholders together. As part of this program maritime startups will received seed funds from CSL and IITM along with mentorship & training support, market access, funding connect and access to service partner

• Seed funds grants up to Rs.50 lakhs per startup by IITM
• Prototyping grants up to Rs.1 Cr per startup by IITM
• Equity investments will be made directly by CSL
• Virtual Incubation, training, mentorship, angel/VC connect to startups selected in this program.

• Seed Fund Grants up to Rs.50 lakhs per startup by IITM
• Pilot Grant Scheme up to Rs.1 Cr per startup by IITM
• Equity Investment will be made directly by CSL.

IITM acts as an implementation partner of this initiative and will provide incubation, mentorship, training, funding connect and seed fund support upto Rs.50 lakhs and Prototyping Grants upto Rs. 1 Cr per startup.

No. Startups only in the Maritime and its allied sector will be considered for this program.

No. The startups can apply either for grant or for equity funding at a time

The startups in the idea stage and in the prototyping stage can apply for grants under this scheme

• Startups ready with fully developed product
• Startups with early traction ( Customers/Revenue trends)
• Startups in the idea stage, Prototype Stage may not be considered for equity funding.

No. The startup can apply for a single grant at a time.

CSL will make direct equity funding once the shortlisted startups are recommended for funding

No. CSL provides only equity investment & IITM provides seed fund grants and prototyping grants.

Growth stage start-ups are encouraged to apply for grants.

This program is structured as a hybrid program. Startups are not mandated to work physically from the co working space provided at.

The duration of the incubation program at IITM is 24 Months

Yes. All startups part of this program should sign a separate incubation agreement with IITM

• Decarbonization of Maritime Industry as per IMO GHG strategy and Paris Agreement
• Start-ups using artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize processes and create scale in the maritime sector e.g., in vessel-tracking data using position analytics.
• Improving efficiency in the maritime sector. E.g. improving logistics supply chain through technology
• Smart technologies that automate processes, free from human error.
• Autonomous ships and ROVs
• Using block chain for shared ledger of data inputs in the maritime industry
• Simulation e.g. Virtual reality for training, gaming & augmented reality to reinvent product & service levels

• A start-up, as recognised by DPIIT.
• Start-up must have a business idea to develop a product or a service with market fit, viable commercialization, and scope of scaling
• Start-up must have the solution or product in the maritime sector for Focus Areas as specified in this Policy
• Start-up should be using technology in its core product or service, or business model, or distribution model, or methodology to solve the problem being targeted
• Shareholding by Indian promoters in the start-up should be at least 51% at the time of application to incubator for the scheme, as per Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018

• Prototype Development, Minimum Viable Product Development, Refinement of Testing of product, Test Marketing, Market Launch
• Expenses on data generation/data acquisition for ideas working on IT side/AI side
• Fees for IP issues/one-time technology licensing fees
• Manpower for day-to-day operations but not promoter's remuneration in the case of grants.
• Day-to-day operational expenses like electricity bill, incubation charges etc.
• Procurement of web hosting space, software licenses, marketing tools etc.

Applications for this Program are invited half yearly. You may apply for the program directly through website and the notification will be released on website and social media handles.

No. Multiple applications are not allowed for this program. Your first application will be considered as the final application for evaluation

Yes. You may apply for the program

Yes. There is only one admission process for all applicants. IITM students / alumni / faculty may get priority subject to merit of the business idea

Yes. You may have to apply for this program separately and will be part of the selection process if you belong to the maritime sector.

Yes. You can apply for this program even if you are part of other incubators and accelerators.

Yes. The startups can still apply for this program

Yes. Even if the startup has already raised funds, they can apply for this program.

IITM takes effort to find, support and grow early-stage social entrepreneurs who can build high-impact sustainable organizations and doesn't charge a fee for this program.

There will be two rounds of evaluation. After the initial shortlisting, startups will be invited to make a short pitch in front of the final selection committee.

Pitching process will be held virtually. Physical meetings and center visits will be planned based on the ongoing pandemic risks and travel restrictions applicable from time to time.

IITM would intimate you with the status of the application via email to your registered email id.

Single tranche payment is not recommended. Fund transfers through seed funding and pilot grant scheme shall be strictly based on fulfillment of agreed milestones between IITM and the selected start-ups.