Young Innovators

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India is awash with innovative start-up companies that leverage the latest technological breakthroughs to provide new and improved services for Indian consumers and stimulus for the Indian economy. For some Indian entrepreneurs, their journeys to cutting-edge innovation traveled through the United States, in the form of internships at American companies, where they benefitted immensely from the mutual exchange of new ideas and practices. Internships with U.S. companies can provide a wide range of skills and experiences that are crucial for successful future innovation. While young Indian innovators are world famous for their academic skills in science and technology, they may lack familiarity with Western business operational norms, as well as soft skills like networking and interviewing. Entrepreneurs often struggle to attract initial investments to support their bright ideas. American businesses, meanwhile, are always looking for top talent that can be difficult to recruit or even locate; internships have proven immensely beneficial for all involved. Such paths remain, however, more the exception than the rule. Many Indian innovators have gone about their early careers alone, missing the tangible benefits of American internships and depriving Indian consumers of new products and services and the Indian economy of potential growth. Facilitating internships involving U.S. tech companies and Indian innovators could substantially benefit both nations, and thereby create further goodwill between our two countries. The U.S. Embassy seeks grant proposals from U.S. or Indian non-governmental organizations (NGO) to administer the “Young Innovators’ Initiative,” a new exchange program for approximately 50 young Indian specialists, ages 25-40, in science, technology, and new business development to travel to the United States for internships with American companies working in similar fields. The internships would last approximately six months. The successful grantee will be responsible for recruitment, assessment (including but not limited to English language testing and other vetting) and selection of qualified candidates for this program; pre-departure orientations covering American society, social norms, culture, and business culture, etc.; coordinating with U.S.-based partner organizations responsible for placement of participants in appropriate internships; and re-entry orientations for participants returning to India to continue their careers. (Please refer to the full announcement available under 'related documents' tab)

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