The Ministry of Textiles is implementing the Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) scheme under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) since 2023 to support the startup ecosystem in the technical textiles sector. The scheme provides assistance to young innovators, scientists, technologists, and startup ventures to translate ideas into commercial technologies and products.
Since its launch, 31 startups have been approved under the GREAT scheme at a total cost of ₹15.40 crore, with ₹13.65 crore being the Government of India's share. The state-wise distribution shows Maharashtra leads with 7 approved startups, followed by Tamil Nadu (6), Delhi (5), Gujarat (4), Uttar Pradesh (3), Karnataka (2), and single startups in Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.
The financial assistance breakdown reveals Delhi received the highest government share at ₹2.30 crore for 5 startups, followed by Tamil Nadu with ₹2.37 crore for 6 startups, and Maharashtra with ₹3.04 crore for 7 startups. Individual district allocations show significant variations, with multiple startups receiving the maximum ₹45-50 lakh per project.
Under parallel initiatives, educational institutes across 17 states received substantial grants under the "General Guidelines for Enabling of Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles." Tamil Nadu institutions received the highest cumulative funding at ₹56.59 crore across 14 projects in 8 districts, followed by Gujarat with ₹26.45 crore for 3 projects in Ahmedabad, and Punjab with ₹16.38 crore across 4 districts.
The GREAT scheme supports a wide spectrum of technology domains including advanced functional textiles (temperature-responsive and self-sanitizing fabrics), smart textiles featuring graphene-based materials, energy-harvesting fabrics, shape-memory wearables for healthcare, high-performance composites for automotive, construction, and defence applications. It also encompasses sustainable, bio-based innovations such as hemp-bioplastic composites, biodegradable tire yarns, algae-derived leather, and medical solutions including surgical simulators and antimicrobial textile technologies.
The scheme is pan-India in scope, providing maximum financial support of ₹50 lakh per approved startup, and is open to eligible startups across all districts including Palnadu and Chhindwara, though no proposals have been received from Palnadu district to date. The NTTM organizes public events, workshops, exhibitions, seminars, and outreach activities to promote mission components and provide platforms for researchers and startups to showcase products and engage with industry stakeholders.