Context:
Recently, AIM, NITI Aayog launched a new accelerator called Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) to support Australian and Indian circular economy startups.
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
Dimensions of the Article:
- Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator
- Circular Economy: A Sustainable Model of Production and Consumption
Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator
- Collaborators: Jointly delivered by CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Australia’s national science agency, and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the Government of India’s initiative for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
Focus Areas:
- Target Audience: Startups and Small to Mid-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in India and Australia.
- Key Themes: Circular economy technologies and solutions, specifically centered around:
- Climate Smart Agriculture
- Clean Energy
- Circular Economy and Waste Management
- Climate Smart Mobility
Program Duration:
- Accelerator Timeline: Nine months.
Program Benefits:
- Market Entry Support: Assisting startups in navigating the initial stages of operating in a new region.
- Network Development: Facilitating rapid connections to relevant partners, customers, and talent.
- Credibility Building: Supporting startups in establishing credibility for success in international markets.
First Round Focus:
- Theme: Technologies and solutions for waste and the circular economy.
- Potential Grants: Participating startups may qualify for non-equity grants of up to INR 40,00,000.
Upcoming Rounds:
- Future Focus Areas: Subsequent rounds will center on:
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Clean energy
- Climate-smart mobility
Circular Economy: A Sustainable Model of Production and Consumption
The circular economy is a production and consumption model that aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. It involves various practices, such as sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products throughout their life cycle. The key characteristics of the circular economy model are:
- Extending Product Life Cycle: By promoting sharing, reusing, and recycling, the circular economy model extends the life cycle of products, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.
- Recycling for Resource Retention: When products reach the end of their life, materials are kept within the economy through recycling, ensuring that valuable resources are used productively again and again.
Benefits of the Circular Economy Model:
- Environmental Impact: Reusing and recycling products reduce the consumption of natural resources, decrease landscape and habitat disruption, and help limit biodiversity loss. The circular economy contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation.
- Resource Security: Recycling raw materials mitigates risks associated with resource supply, such as price volatility, availability, and import dependency. This becomes especially crucial as the world’s population grows and demands for raw materials increase.
- Economic Growth and Competitiveness: Transitioning to a circular economy can stimulate innovation, increase competitiveness, and lead to economic growth. Redesigning materials and products for circular use fosters innovation across different sectors.
- Improved Quality of Life: Consumers benefit from durable and innovative products that save money in the long run. A circular economy offers more reliable and long-lasting products, enhancing the overall quality of life.
