Section 1: Genesis of the ETV programme​

​

Q1.1  What is the background to the initiation of the ETV programme?

The concept of the ETV programme was first introduced in 2017, during the India Water Impact Summit (IWIS). A number of technology companies expressed their desire to have a platform through which they could showcase their innovative solutions already proven worldwide but not necessarily in India (or emerging markets). From a client's perspective, they also needed a robust technology evaluation process, particularly when there was no reference site available to assess the claims being made by the technology proponent.

​

These conditions sowed the seeds for the establishment of the ETV programme that was initiated in the year 2018/19.

​​​​​

Q1.2  Who are the proponents behind the ETV programme?​

The ETV programme has been managed by the Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) under the aegis of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.

 

As the programme is being expanded beyond the water and environment sectors, going forward the ETV programme will be managed by Bharatia under the aegis of Samarth Ganga Foundation, which is the executing agency of cGanga.

​​​​

​​

​​

Section 2: Scope and sectors covered in the ETV programme​

​​​

Q2.1  What is the scope of the ETV programme?

a) Validate and verify the solution

b) Assess the veracity of the claims made by the technology company

c) Establish a baseline TRL/CRL/IRL scoring

d) Play a developmental role in increasing the TRL/CRL/IRL scores of the solution by helping fill the gaps as well as finding collaboration partners that will commercially help establish the solution in the emerging market context. This is with a principal goal of making the technology "Accessible", "Affordable" and "Available".

e) Secure necessary permits, permissions and licenses

f) Establish the First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) commercial-scale demonstration project.

g) Scale the solution up by using innovative finance as well as introduce the solutions to the emerging market nations across the Global South.

 

​​

Q2.2  Which sectors does the ETV programme cover?​

The ETV programme is principally focused on environment and climate-related sectors. These are:

(a) Water

(b) Energy

(c) Waste

(d) Agriculture

(e) Biodiversity

(f) Transport

(g) Manufacturing

(h) Urban

(i) Digital

(j) Climate

(k) Environment - air, land, oceans

​

The new additional sectors that have been introduced to the ETV programme are:

(l) Healthcare

(m) Wellness

(n) Education including skills

(o) Cyber-security

(p) Space

(q) Semiconductor

(r) Financial Services

​​

​

Q2.3  Which geographical regions does the ETV programme cover?​

(a) Technology sourcing: 
The ETV programme sources technologies and solutions from around the world, both developed and developing nations.

(b) Establishing First-of-a-kind Commercial Demonstration Project
This process is delivered in India.

​

(c) Scaling-up technologies and solutions
Once demonstrated in India, the solutions are commercialised across all emerging markets and developing nations.

​

​​

​​

Section 3: ETV panel formation, evaluation, certification and assessment ​

​​

Q3.1  What is the composition of the ETV Panel?

The ETV panel is tailor-made for each enrolled candidate and has subject matter experts from research & innovation institutions and government bodies. The enrolled entity can nominate observers on the panel so that there is transparency and fairness in the evaluation process.

 

  

Q3.2  What is the evaluation process of the ETV programme?

The ETV panel will evaluate the technology/solution in two phases:

(a) Phase I - via an extensive dialogue with the enrolled candidate and desktop evaluation

(b) Phase II - via the evaluation of the implemented project

 

The panel does not take a pass/fail approach but adopts a developmental spirit so as to support the technology candidate to keep moving forward by filling the identified gaps, establishing partnerships and recommending the most suitable commercialisation pathway.

 

 

Q3.3  What certificate is provided via the ETV programme?

The ETV programme shall provide the following certificates:

(a) Certificate of enrolment - once the administrative onboarding formalities are complete.

(b) Certificate of completion of Phase 1 evaluation

(c) Certificate of completion of Phase 2 evaluation 

​

​

Q3.4  What assessment reports are provided via the ETV programme?

The ETV programme will provide the following assessment reports:

(a) A TRL/CRL/IRL baseline score on completing the induction of the ETV-VIPERS (c) process

(b) A preliminary assessment report on completing the Phase 1 evaluation

(c) A detailed assessment report on completing the pilot project.

​​

​

Q3.5  How long does it typically take to complete Phases 1 and 2 of the ETV evaluation?

The evaluation process will depend upon the readiness levels of the enrolled candidate. Candidates typically complete phase-1 evaluation within 6 months and have visibility of the first commercial project within 9-12 months. However, candidates have achieved milestones sooner, whilst others have taken longer due to time taken to increase their readiness levels.

​

Timelines for digital solution providers will be a lot shorter than those offering physical engineered solutions.

​​

​​

​

Section 4: Critical points when assessing TRL/CRL/IRL scores and eligibility ​

​​

Q4.1  What is the approach taken in assessing readiness levels?

When evaluating a technology or solution's readiness levels, the focus is on its suitability for "Emerging Markets." Due to the under-developed industrial infrastructure in most of these markets, solutions may not transfer seamlessly, and the readiness level scores from developed nations may not be applicable. However, if the technology is assessed from an Indian market perspective, this evaluation is likely to be relevant for other emerging markets as well.

​

​

Q4.2  What are the critical points when assessing the TRL scores?

The TRL scoring process will first evaluate the number of solutions already deployed globally. If there is an existing deployment in India or another equivalent developing nation, then the solution shall receive a higher TRL score. If there is no deployment in India, then the scoring shall be based on how well has the applicant team evaluated and charted the Indian operating conditions.

​​

Key questions that will be asked under the TRL scoring process:

(a) How innovative is the technology solution, and does it already have a presence in the global and Indian market?

(b) Has the applicant made significant attempts to understand the Indian operating conditions? If so, then what assumptions did they make and what were their findings?

(c) What changes or adaptations, if any, will be required to make the technology/solution a success in India?

(d) Are these changes major or minor?

(e) What critical components need to be imported into the country on a regular basis?

(f) Does the solution already conform to local standards and regulations?

​​

​​​

Q4.3  What are the critical points when assessing the CRL scores?

The CRL scoring process assesses the commercial readiness of the solution from both developed and developing world perspective. The cost economics of the solution in an emerging markets context are very different from those in the developed world. The solution proponent must recognise this as a critical barrier to introducing the solution to an emerging market nation, and must build in their strategy taking active measures to make the technology affordable.  

​

Key questions that will be asked under the CRL scoring process:

(a) Is the local supply chain including OEM fully established?

(b) Is the systems integrator in place who will provide a systems guarantee?

(c) Is the in-country EPC and O&M delivery capacity in place?

(d) Will the solution be delivered through a technology-licensing agreement, joint-venture partnership or an own subsidiary?

(e) Does the solution proponent completely understand of local costs and pricing models?

(f) Does the solution proponent understand the prevailing local procurement methodologies?

(g) If the solution proponent is offering, the solution-as-a-service (utility model), then do they have the requisite financing in place?

​​​

​

Q4.4  What are the critical points when assessing the IRL scores?

The IRL scoring process assesses the impact of the solution from environmental, economic and social parameters. ​

​

Key questions that will be asked under the IRL scoring process:

(a) What commitment do the technology/solution proponent have towards making the technology Accessible, Affordable and Available?

(b) What level of employment and/or increase in livelihood will the solution deliver?

(c) Is the solution local or does it have the potential to move the needle on transformation globally?

​

​

Q4.5  What are the critical points when assessing the IRL scores?

The IRL scoring process assesses the impact of the solution from environmental, economic and social parameters. ​

​

​

​

Section 5: Financing the First-of-a-kind (FOAK) commercial demonstration project and access to wider finance ​

​​

Q5.1  Who funds the FOAK commercial demonstration project?

Since this is a commercial demonstration project, the funding of the project will depend upon what is the underlying commercial model for the proposed solution.

​

(a) If a PPP/BOOT (build-own-operate-transfer) model has been developed, where the client is an off-taker of a commodity or a service, then the funding will have to be done by the delivery consortium. If the applicant is just the provider of the technology, then it is imperative that a "project developer" be introduced into the delivery consortium. If required, Bharatia can assist the project developer in raising equity and debt capital.

​

(b) If the project is developed on an EPC+O&M model, then the delivery consortium shall have to provide the requisite guarantees expected by the client for the procurement of the solution. The delivery consortium will still require funding in place to construct/build the project as payments will only be released on achieving construction and operational milestones. If the applicant does not have the financing capacity, then it is imperative that the EPC partner in the consortium does. If required, Bharatia can assist the delivery consortium with raising requisite financing.

​

​

Q5.2  Why does the government not fund these projects?

The ETV programme is not a research & development initiative. It is a technology commercialisation programme, for entities that are commercially ready to deploy their solutions. The government as a client will be taking the risk associated with the first commercial demonstration project.

​​​

​

Q5.3  What other sources of funding are available in the ETV programme?

Bharatia, has a large eco-system of investors globally. It is able to collaborate with the enrolled candidate, and the entire delivery consortium to raise capital for the project. Bharatia will work with the stakeholders to design the adequate capital structure suitable for the project.

​

​

​

​

Section 6: ETV for digital / software-based solutions​

​​​

Q6.1  How does the ETV programme work for digital / software-based solutions?

(a) For data generators, the ETV programme shall enable securing a pilot to be able to demonstrate data generation capabilities.

(b) For data analytics providers, access to authentic data is most critical. Bharatia will enable partnership with an agency, such as a government university, eligible to house sensitive data. The partnership shall enable access to critical data.

​

​​

​

Section 7: Intellectual Property​

​​​

Q7.1  Does the ETV programme impact the intellectual property of the enrolled candidate? 

There is no impact on the intellectual property or its ownership for the candidate enrolled in the ETV programme. All parties bringing their intellectual property into any form of collaboration or partnership will remain the property of the owner. 

​

The parties may wish to establish new intellectual property, if they so wish, in case there is an enhancement in the technology / solution.

​

​

​

Section 8: Fees for the ETV programme?​

​​​

Q8.1 Is there a fee to join the ETV programme?

Yes, the ETV programme charges a nominal fee and one that is highly subsidised by various proponents. The fees are paid at different times during the programme:

(a) On enrolment into the programme

(b) On booking panel evaluation

(c) On securing partnerships

(d) On securing a project

(e) On securing investors and financing for the project

 

Fee amounts are shared with eligible and qualifying applicants.  

​

​

​

Section 9: Additional help available to the ETV candidates ​

​​​

Q9.1  What additional help is available to enrolled candidates?

(a) Corporate structuring - Bharatia can help the entities establish the right corporate structure including local entity formation etc.

(b) Forming a management team - Bharatia can help recruit an experienced senior management team or candidates at other levels.

(c) Global capability centre - Bharatia can establish and manage a global capability centre for the enrolled candidate. 

​

​

​

Section 10: Other Miscellaneous​

​​​

Q10.1  How does the ETV programme help expand in countries other than India?

 As part of the ETV-VIPERS, the process of S-scaling up, helps entities expand within India and other countries. Bharatia programme is building a significant international network of nations that are seeking the very solutions that are enrolled in the ETV programme.

​

​