Increased use of modern technology has changed the pace and modes of communication—all forms of business are innovating to become knowledge driven. Earlier crafts required technical know-how and  market dynamics but now they  have to deal with complexity and abundance of information. Over the last few decades there has been growing concern amongst traditional craftspeople about sustaining their practice in the new globalized world. They possess good craft skills passed on traditionally but need to be guided on the forward in contemporary business.

Many young creative professionals on the other hand  do not wish to take up the traditional forms of employment. They aspire to set up their own enterprises. They have creative ideas, communication skills, and understanding of the technology, design and management. What they look for is a tie-up for strong resources for product development and reliable quality production. The incubator shall support youngster idea around which a creative business could be built.

This presents a unique opportunity to bring together the craftspeople and the talented creative entrepreneurs to a common platform and help them in joining hands together to set up a new venture. The aim shall be to utilize creative energy, risk appetite, contemporary technological acumen of young professionals with the rich experience and skills of craftspeople. Opportunity creation and promoting design entrepreneurship is the central idea behind the incubator. It fits in very well with the proposed academic philosophy of the UPID. Presence of an incubator on the campus shall also send a very positive message to the craftsmen and industry regarding the objective of the institute.

An incubator shall utilize the available resources of UPID in terms of space and networks thereby not adding much cost to the institute. Instead, it will generate revenue and become self- sustaining in the long run. Funding and other supports for the new ventures can be procured from the collaborating industries, venture capitalists, financial institutions, government departments or NGOs. The incubator could also apply to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) from where  good funding support is available for incubators . The funding normally is to the tune of 1 Cr. to 5 Cr.

The incubator shall encourage the craftsperson/s and the young professional/s to form a team and develop a proposal. The teams for incubator support shall be selected through a transparent process. To promote the incubator at UPID, business plan competition could be conducted across a range of institutions like NID, IIM, IIT, NIFT, EDI, etc. Applications would also be invited through online promotion. The key condition would be that the business must be based on the crafts of Uttar Pradesh and involve an active partnership with the craftsperson/s from the state. A panel of UPID team and external experts shall judge the entries.

The aim shall be to select at least five start-up companies in the first year and then to grow the number to 20 over five years. The incubator will do handholding for maximum three years. The terms and conditions for the same shall be proposed by the Advisory Committee of the incubator and approved by the Governing Council of UPID.

Support and collaboration of other incubators and institutions shall be actively sought for nurturing the creative industries in the State.