About ASPIRE Scheme The A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries, and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE) is an initiative of the Government of India, promoted by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). Launched in 2015, the scheme aims to establish incubation centers and a network of technology centers to foster entrepreneurship across the country. ASPIRE specifically focuses on promoting start-ups that bring innovation to the agro-industry. Despite several government initiatives, poverty and unemployment continue to be major challenges in India, where a significant portion of the population still depends on agriculture. To address these issues, ASPIRE was introduced to generate employment and support the creation of enterprises within the agricultural sector. The scheme seeks to empower entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to start their own businesses and become job creators. It promotes innovation in rural areas and traditional agro-industries while offering support during the critical early stages to help ensure self-sustainability. Additionally, ASPIRE facilitates market linkages for entrepreneurs, helping them access opportunities and scale their ventures. The scheme aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, aiming to build a supportive ecosystem for start-ups, boost manufacturing, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
ASPIRE – Livelihood Business Incubator (LBI) The Livelihood Business Incubator (LBI) under the ASPIRE scheme aims to establish business incubators that provide skill development training, promote entrepreneurship, and facilitate access to funding for aspiring entrepreneurs to set up their enterprises. The primary objective is to generate employment at the local level and reduce unemployment by nurturing job creators. These incubators play a vital role in creating a conducive ecosystem for the development of entrepreneurship across the country. LBIs are entities specifically established to deliver skill development and incubation programs, with a focus on promoting entrepreneurship and employment generation, particularly in the agro-rural sector. Special emphasis is placed on supporting rural and underserved areas to ensure inclusive growth.
Objectives of LBI -
To generate employment opportunities by facilitating the creation of formal and scalable micro-enterprises.
To skill, upskill, and reskill unemployed individuals, existing self-employed persons, and wage earners in emerging technologies.
To provide skilled human capital to nearby industrial clusters and promote innovations that enhance the competitiveness of the MSME sector.