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Science & Technology Entrepreneurship
Development (STED) Project
The Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED) Programme is now phased out since FY 2015-16. However, support to the existing STED projects will be continued. No new proposal for STED programme will be considered by the division and no action would be taken by the Department in case of submission and receipt of new STED proposals from various organization.
Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development
Scheme (STEDS) was launched in 1985 when NSTEDB prepared a scheme
to map the available material resources in industrially backward
regions and prepare a basket of technically feasible and economically
viable project profiles of enterprises that could be promoted by
local S & T entrepreneurs and thus tapping hitherto un-utilised
/ under-utilised resources. Later the scheme was re-christened as
"Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (STEDS)".
Initially the scheme was launched
in 13 districts in consultation with the Planning Commission. A
National Advisory Committee was formed to prepare the guidelines
and oversee the implementation of the scheme. Accordingly, Task
Forces having members from concerned state govt. agencies, banks,
etc. were constituted under the Chairmanship of the District Collector
to guide the officials manning the scheme. The scheme took off quite
well in most of the locations and project profiles for utilisation
of available resources were prepared.
In 1996-97, STEDS programme was reformulated. The
National Advisory Committee was reconstituted and eminent scientists,
technologists, economists and social activists were invited as its
members.
The STED Project
 In
the project mode, the STED project aims to bring about a socio-economic
development of an area through the intervention of Science &
Technology. The project envisages matching of the material and the
human resources of the district to create new enterprises and employment
by usage of Science & Technology processes. It involves identification
of opportunities through a detailed scientific survey and exploitation
of the opportunities thus identified by the entrepreneurs. The total
project life is four years. Currently the STED project is being
implemented in 43 districts of the country.
Objectives
The broad objectives of the project are:-
- To identify possible resource based projects in the region covering
both rural and urban areas.
- To identify S&T intervention (like technology selection,
modification, alteration and dissemination) for exploiting the
opportunities by prospective entrepreneurs.
- To improve working of existing enterprises through S&T intervention
to upgrade the technology and modernisation of units.
- To organise regular enterprise awareness programmes and skill
development programmes for creating suitable entrepreneurial environment
in the district.
- To launch at least 200 micro-enterprises in the district
during the four years of duration in which at least 50 technology-driven
micro-enterprises are to be in technology specific areas
as identified by the implementing agency earlier.
Implementation
Methodology
Implementation
Mechanism
The Host Institution (HI) or Implementing Agency
(IA) identifies amongst other 3-4 specific technology areas, which
are specific to the location of STED project implementation. Based
on this identification, the HI / IA prepares the opportunities available
in these technology areas indicating the source of technology and
likely collaboration with the technology provider. The HI / IA should
also mention his expertise in the selected technologies, if any.
The broad mechanism to be adopted for implementation are:-
- Market survey for identification of resources of the region
which include
- Man
- Material
- Market
- Methods (Science)
- Mechanics & Mechanism (Technology)
- Preparation of opportunities profile.
- Identification & counseling of potential entrepreneurs.
- Training of entrepreneurs.
- Providing escort services to the potential entrepreneurs
- Counseling the existing enterprise for technology upgradation
and modernisation.
Target Group
The target group would be essentially unemployed
youth who may or may not possess necessary skill to launch a micro-unit
but have the necessary desire and aptitude for such venture. Others
including ex-army men, would also be covered under the project.
Agency
The project is awarded to a reputed Technical Consultancy
Organisation (TCO), Non-Government Organisation (NGO) or any organisation
having a proven track record in the field of entrepreneurship development.
The agency is selected based on their past Performance in the area,
credibility and staff availability.
Linkages
For successful and effective implementation, linkages
would be established with reputed and national level R&D institutions
for sourcing technologies and upgradation of existing technologies.
Institution like SIDBI, NABARD and the Lead banks would be involved
right from the training stages for better acceptability of the project
proposal amongst the financial institutions at the time of sanctioning
and disbursing the loan. The STED project would function closely
with the district administration without whose involvement and intervention
it may not produce desired results. Linkages with other schemes
and programmes of the Central and State Government would be established
for availing benefits of various Government schemes.
Evaluation and Monitoring
The STED Project is a four-year project with the
financial support for four years. However, the continuation of project
and annual funding is entirely Performance oriented. The Performance
is monitored both in quantitative and qualitative aspect. The Expert
Advisory Committee on STED project evaluates the Performance and
monitors the progress of the project. For this purpose, the Advisory
Committee meets two to three times in a year at the project site.
Regular site visits by a team consisting of one committee member
and one officer from NSTEDB secretariat ensures a timely monitoring
of the project. In such case where shortfall in achievement of target
is noticed monitoring team visits the project to suggest mid-term
corrective action. In extreme cases, the project may also be terminated
mid-term if revival is found to be unfeasible or impossible.
Expected Outcome
Each STED Project is expected to generate at least
200 model micro-enterprises over the project duration of four years.
It is also expected that at least 50 micro-enterprises will be launched
in the specific technology areas (identified earlier by HI/IA through
survey).
Achievements at Select Locations
In Karaikudi
The STED project in Karaikudi is being implemented
by Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), a national
level R&D laboratory of repute under CSIR umbrella, it implementing
the STED project in Karaikudi. The STED project immediately after
the launch, was able to spread its wings in nearby rural areas.
Some of the units promoted by the STED Project include superfine
chemicals which are being exported to Germany, manufacture of TV
sets in the rural areas and various other units in the service sector
in electronics (both consumer and industrial) , computer and associated
fields. The STED project has been providing its support to other
STED projects in its area of specialization viz. repairing of lead
acid batteries. The project has supported more than 1500 micro enterprises.
In Kozhikode
Kerala has a large population of Non Resident Indians
(mostly in Gulf) who wish to invest in India and on their return
take the entrepreneurial route for settling down in the state. An
association of NRIs called "Pravasi Sangam" was sensitised and through
regular interaction and training programmes a number of enterprises
have been launched. The STED Project through its close association
with the State Government has taken on the job of servicing and
maintenance of all the electrical energy meters in the state. For
this a workforce of 500 women were trained and are now self-employed
through a cooperative promoted by the STED project. A number of
such activities have been taken up by the STED project.
In Agartala
Agaratala the capital of Tripura is a difficult
area in North-east where the entrepreneurship culture was totally
missing. The activities of the STED project has catalysed the establishment
of 60 micro-enterprises in areas like fruit and food processing,
Internet and related business, DTP, and lost cost construction.
Experts from the industry, R&D Institution were invited for
technology demonstration. The project has achieved its target of
micro entreprise establishment.
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