In News: Department of Science & Technology has approved setting up of a Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH).
What is CAWACH?
- CAWACH will help to address various challenges faced by the country due to the severe impact of COVID-19.
- CAWACH will identify up to 50 innovations and startups that are in the area of novel, low cost, safe and effective ventilators, respiratory aids, protective gears, novel solutions for sanitizers, disinfectants, diagnostics, therapeutics, informatics and any effective interventions to control COVID-19.
- The CAWACH’s mandate will be to extend timely support to potential startups by way of the requisite financial assistance and fund deployment targeting innovations that are deployable in the market within the next 6 months.
- The Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), a technology business incubator at IIT Bombay supported by DST has been identified as the Implementing Agency of the CAWACH.
- It will provide access to pan India networks for testing, trial and market deployment of these products and solutions in the identified areas of priority COVID-19 solutions.
Objectives of CAWACH
- The main objective of CAWACH is to scout, evaluate and support the innovations and start-ups that address COVID-19 challenges.
- The Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 health crisis aims to tap challenges faced by the country due to the severe impact of Coronavirus disease.
Key takeaways
- The Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) shall be the Implementing Agency of the CAWACH.
- The CAWACH’s mandate will be to extend timely support to potential startups by providing financial assistance and fund innovations that are deployable in the market within the next 6 months.
- It will identify upto 50 innovations and startups that are in the area of novel, low cost, safe and effective ventilators, respiratory aids, protective gears and any effective interventions to control COVID-19.
Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE)
- Is a business incubator that provides support services to technology-based entrepreneurship in India.
- It also facilitates the conversion of research activity into entrepreneurial ventures.
- The institution aims to pre-incubate, incubate, and virtually incubate early-stage entrepreneurial technology based ventures; create physical infrastructure and support systems necessary for business incubation activities; facilitate networking with professional resources, including mentors, experts, investors, industry professionals, consultants, and advisors; identify technologies and innovations which have potential for commercial ventures; and promote and foster the spirit of entrepreneurship, and to carry out activities that facilitate knowledge creation, innovation, and entrepreneurship activities.
- The Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India provides SINE with financial assistance. With infrastructure spread over 10000 sq. ft., SINE can accommodate about 15-17 companies.
- Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship was founded in 2004 and is based in Powai, India.
Source: PIB
