GUIDELINES & FAQ

NBI WEBTALKS

The 8th Edition of Next Big Idea Program kickstarts with its knowledge series- NBI WebTalks on 23rd April 2021 and will conclude on 21st May 2021.

NBI PRE-LANDING PROGRAM

  • Application Window : 23rd April to 23rd May 2021
  • Cohort Announcement : 9th June 2021
  • Expectation Setting and Road Mapping with selected Relationship Managers : 10th June to 20th June 2021
  • Pre-Landing Program Period : 21st June to 10th September 2021

The program is open only to startups registered in India and who meet the following conditions:

  • Have an innovative technology solution/ product
  • Have a unique, innovative and a scalable business model that brings social and/or commercial value
  • Have achieved a level of validation in the Indian market and has a product market fit in Canada (brings and receives value)
  • Are willing to share details of their organisation, accomplishments and experience to others stakeholders, including media
  • Open to share their journey experience and stay in touch with the Zone Startups India’s team post they graduate from the program

An employee, officer, director, representative or agent of either Ryerson University, Simon Fraser University, BSE Institute Limited or the Government of Ontario, Invest in Canada (the “Program Sponsors”), its parent, subsidiary or related companies or, if applicable, any of their respective advertising or promotion agencies, or any other company or individual engaged in the provision of goods or services related to this program (collectively, the “Program Parties”), or A member of the immediate family (parent, child, sibling, or spouse) or household (whether related or not), of any of the above individuals.

Shortlisted startups may be notified for subsequent screening rounds. Applicants will be disqualified from the NBI Program if they fail to present/attend screening rounds, disagree to pay the program fees or are unable to furnish required documents. Results of the selected startups will be officially announced during the start of June 2021.

The selected entrants will be notified by telephone and/or email which was provided at the time of application and the winners must respond within two (2) business days of the notification. Please note that the NBI Team does not share any information provided by applicants to anyone (except for the jury) without prior consent of the applicant. NBI does not sign any confidentiality agreements or NDA with applicants.

No liability or responsibility is assumed by the Program Sponsor or the Program Parties resulting from entrant's participation in or attempt to participate in the Program or ability or inability to upload or download any information in connection with the Program. No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Program Sponsor or the Program Parties for technical problems or technical malfunction arising in connection with any of the following occurrences which may affect the operation of the Program: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, cable, satellite, network, Electronic, Internet connectivity or other online or network communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or other providers; garbled, jumbled or faulty data transmissions; failure of any online transmissions to be sent or received; lost, late, delayed or intercepted transmissions; inaccessibility of the Program Website or Sponsor Website in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestion on the Internet or the Program Website or Sponsor Website; unauthorized human or non-human intervention of the operation of the Program, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, or worms; or destruction of any aspect of the Program, or loss, miscount, misdirection, inaccessibility or unavailability of an email account used in connection with the Program. The Program Sponsor and the Program Parties are not responsible for any printing, typographical, technical, computer, network or human error which may occur in the administration of the Program. The uploading, the processing of votes or entries, the judging of entries, the announcement of the winners or in any Program-related materials. Use of the Program Website and Sponsor Website is at the user's own risk. The Program Sponsor and the Program Parties are not responsible for any personal injury or property damage or losses of any kind which may be sustained to user's or any other person's computer or video equipment resulting from participation in the Program.

The Program Sponsor and its authorized agents will collect, use and disclose the personal information provided upon registration and entry into the Program for the purposes of administering the Program and Offering fulfillment, in accordance with the Program Sponsor’s privacy policy, available at https://www.bsebti.com/other/privacy_policy.html. By Accepting the selection into the program, Winners Consent To The Publication And Use Of Their Name, Address (City, Province), Voice, Statements, Photographs, Image And/Or Likeness In Any Form, Manner Or Media Whether Now Known Or Hereafter Devised, Including, Without Limitation, In Print, Radio, Television And On The Internet For Any Purpose In Connection With The Program Including, Without Limitation, For The Purposes Of Advertising And Trade, And Promoting The Program Sponsor And /Or Program, Without Further Notice Or Compensation.

FAQ

NBI sees over 1,000 applications every year, usually startups with market validation and secure finances apply for the program. We do accept applications of startups who are ready with their products/services too. However, we do not accept applications at the concept/MVP stage.

The information submitted by applicants is only accessible to the selection/screening team. We do not disclose any information provided by applicants to anyone without taking prior consent from applicants. We do not ask for product blueprints or any information which should not be available for the general public according to The Companies Act, 2013, Government of India.

To strengthen your application, do ensure that your form has covered the following:

  • Market Attractiveness
  • Differentiator / Uniqueness
  • Growth Potential & Scalability
  • Founder(s) / Team Strength
  • North America Focus

You will receive an automated email notification upon submission. Wrong contact information, incomplete forms or browser errors are the few reasons for not receiving confirmation emails. We do not solicit queries regarding applications made.

You will receive an email notification and/or a phone call from the NBI Team for final screening rounds (if any) taking place in mid-May 2021. During the end of May 2021, you should be receiving an email from the NBI team with the status of your application i.e Selected or Rejected. Due to high volume of applications and tight timelines we will not be able to send you any feedback on rejection emails.

Yes. Selected startups will be subjected to a fee of INR 25,000 /- to ensure that the expenses towards running the program to ensure we can attract the right talent and resources for your benefit.