MAARG Portal

• 24 Nov 2022

Why in News?

Recently, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched a call for startup applications for registration on the Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth (MAARG) portal.

What is MAARG Portal?

• About:
  • MAARG portal is the National Mentorship Platform by Startup India.
  • It is a one-stop platform to facilitate mentorship for startups across diverse sectors, functions, stages, geographies, and backgrounds.

• Key Features:
  • Mentorship programs for ecosystem enablers
  • Mobile-friendly user interface
  • Recognition for contributing mentors
  • Video and audio call options
• Phases: The MAARG Portal is being operationalized in three phases:
  • Phase I: Mentor Onboarding
    • Successfully launched and executed, 400+ expert mentors are onboarded across sectors.
  • Phase II: Startup Onboarding
    • DPIIT is launching the onboarding of startups on the MAARG Portal with effect from 14^th November 2022.
  • Phase III: MAARG Portal Launch and Mentor Matchmaking
    • Final launch where the mentors will be matched to the startups DPIIT has initiated onboarding process of startups under Phase II.
• Significance:
  • Startups can now effectively connect with academicians, industry experts, successful founders, seasoned investors, and other experts from across the globe, through Artificial Intelligence (AI) based matchmaking, to get personalized guidance on growth and strategy.

What is Startup India?

• It is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, intended to catalyse startup culture and build a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
  • A startup is an enterprise that is initiated by its founders around an idea or a problem with a potential for significant business opportunity and impact.
• Since its launch in 2016, Startup India has rolled out several programs with the objective of supporting entrepreneurs, and transforming India into a country of job creators instead of job seekers.
• In 2022, India has become the 3^rd largest start-up ecosystem in the world after the US and China.

Source: PIB