XLRI is pleased to partner with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, for the National Entrepreneurship Awards, 2017.  As a key institutional partner, XLRI will play a crucial role to mobilize, support and encourage participation in the Awards across Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam and other North East Indian states. Professor Vishwa Ballabh and Professor Madhukar Shukla will anchor the initiative at XLRI, with able support from the Entrepreneurship Cell of XLRI.

The National Entrepreneurship Awards, now in its 2^nd year, aims to both award Successful Entrepreneurs in various categories as well as recognise Ecosystem Builders in Individuals and Organisations working in the field of Entrepreneurship Development. The various award categories include: outstanding youth entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs from the SC/ST category, entrepreneurs who are People with Disabilities (PWDs), entrepreneurs from difficult areas (J&K, North Eastern States, etc.) and grassroots-level enterprises. A total of 17 Awards for individuals and 6 Recognitions for institutes, incubators and mentors will be given across the aforementioned categories. Winners will be selected by a national jury of eminent persons drawn from academia, finance, industry and the social sector.

To be eligible to participate in the Awards, entrepreneurs must be below the age of 30 years as of January 1st, 2017 and should have registered their enterprise as a company or an LLP under the Companies Act, 1956 or the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008, respectively, within the preceding three years from the date of July 28th, 2017. In addition, the candidate must be a ‘First Generation Entrepreneur’ i.e. an entrepreneur who is not in the same line of business as his/her parents and who has started an enterprise on the basis of their own initiative, idea or innovation. Furthermore, the paid-up capital of the business may not exceed INR 1 Crore and the enterprise must have all relevant or necessary industry certifications (eg. FDA, FSSAI, CE, MSME etc.). A relaxation of five years is provided in the Age Limit to persons from the SC, ST categories and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) i.e. entrepreneurs from these categories must be below the age of 35 years as on January 1, 2017.

To be eligible for Recognitions, institutes or organizations wishing to participate must either have provided incubation or mentorship services or offered courses on development of entrepreneurship for at least three years prior to July 28th, 2017. Educationists, Advisors and Consultants offering services towards the development of entrepreneurship for three years or more from the date of July 28, 2017 may also apply for Recognitions.

Details of the Awards may be found online at www.neas.gov.in. All applications for the Awards must be submitted online at the above web address no later than September 15^th, 2017.