AGBA Innovation Framework and Certification
Driving India’s Global Leadership in Innovation
Officially Launched at the 15th Aegis Graham Bell Awards on 20th February 2025 in New Delhi by Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India
From being a prestigious award platform recognizing innovators and their innovations—whether from startups or large enterprises—for the past 15 years, AGBA has now evolved into a dual-purpose innovation recognition framework. It combines the traditional AGBA Awards with the newly launched AGBA Innovation Star Rating
AGBA Innovation Rating Certificate
Product/solution-level innovation recognition based on live jury evaluation. Recognizes innovative products, solutions, and services with a trusted rating.
AGBA Innovation Index
Enterprise-level innovation benchmarking at the SBU or company level, offering authoritative innovation performance metrics.
Why Innovation Matters
Innovation is not a luxury—it is the cornerstone of economic resilience, national competitiveness, and social progress. With its vast talent pool and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, India is uniquely poised to become a global innovation leader.
To accelerate this transition, the AGBA Innovation Framework introduces two powerful instruments: the AGBA Innovation Rating Certificate and the AGBA Innovation Index.
AGBA Innovation Rating Certificate
Recognizing Excellence in Product, Platform, and Solution Innovation
The AGBA Innovation Rating Certificate is awarded to innovative solutions, platforms, or products after a rigorous, jury-led evaluation at the Aegis Graham Bell Awards.
Evaluation Criteria
Problem Definition and Solution Fit
- Clear and concise problem statement
- Defined goals and objectives
- Evidence-based research backing the problem and solution
- Effectiveness in solving the identified problem
- Measurable impact on the market or users
Innovativeness and Originality
- Uniqueness of the idea
- Innovative approaches in design or implementation
- Differentiation from market alternatives
- IP or patent protection
- Demonstrated improvement over existing solutions
Market Potential, Impact, and Scalability
- Size of the target market and revenue potential
- Industry growth potential
- Competitive positioning and market share
- Efficiency, cost savings, or customer experience gains
- Scalability across domains, geographies, or sectors
Social Impact and Sustainability
- Contribution to societal or environmental good
- Reduced carbon or ecological footprint
- Alignment with UN SDGs
- Ethical and responsible innovation
- Financial and environmental sustainability
Presentation & Jury Engagement
- Clarity of communication
- Structured, data-driven presentation
- Live demo or prototype (if applicable)
- Effective Q&A and articulation of value
- Jury confidence in vision and execution
Benefits of the AGBA Innovation Star Rating Certificate
1. Global Recognition
Gain national and international visibility for your product, team, and organization. A star rating from AGBA establishes your innovation as a benchmark of excellence in the global market.
2. Authoritative Endorsement
The AGBA Innovation Star Rating Certificate is an independent, jury-evaluated, and credible innovation rating, providing every nominee with a trusted and prestigious validation.
3. Investor & Stakeholder Confidence
A high AGBA rating boosts investor confidence and attracts interest from VCs, policy makers, and industry leaders looking for market-ready, scalable innovations.
4. Market & Client Trust
An AGBA rating enhances brand reputation, accelerates customer acquisition, and builds market traction, acting as a trusted seal of innovation quality.
5. Product/Service Validation
The certificate serves as objective, third-party validation of your product’s market-readiness, technological robustness, and impact potential.
6. Talent Attraction & Employer Branding
Rated innovators stand out as innovation-driven workplaces, making them magnets for top-tier talent seeking to work on meaningful, cutting-edge solutions.
| Aspect | AGBA Innovation Star Rating Certificate | Aegis Graham Bell Awards (AGBA Award) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Rating System | Competitive Award |
| Output | 1 to 5 Star Certificate based on evaluation | One winner per category |
| Recognition Model | Inclusive – All qualifying innovations receive a rating | Exclusive – Only the best in each category wins the award |
| Purpose | Benchmarking, validation, and trust building for innovation maturity | Celebrating top innovation excellence and leadership |
| Evaluation Format | Jury-based presentation; rating based on scoring criteria | Jury-based presentation; award selected through competitive ranking |
| Frequency | Rolling or multiple cycles annually | Annual |
| Eligibility | Products, solutions, or services from any organization | Broader innovations across categories (product, strategy, etc.) |
| Stakeholder Value | Helps gain market trust, investor confidence, and talent attention | Recognizes breakthrough leadership and industry impact |
| Public Recognition | Rated entries receive certificate and listing | Winners are felicitated at a national platform with media coverage |
AGBA Award = “Winner takes all” recognition.
AGBA Star Rating Certificate = “Every great innovation gets its due rating and visibility.
AGBA Innovation Index
Enterprise-Wide Innovation Benchmarking
The AGBA Innovation Index is a strategic instrument designed to evaluate the innovation maturity of an entire organization or Strategic Business Unit (SBU). It provides a holistic, data-backed score that can influence investor confidence, policy support, and competitive standing.
Some Key Evaluation Dimensions
- Innovation Strategy & Governance
- R&D Investment and Output
- Patents, IP, and Technology Development
- Culture of Innovation & Talent Development
- Sustainability, Ethics, and Responsible Tech
- Collaboration with Academia, Startups, and R&D Ecosystems
Outcome
- A comprehensive innovation score and category placement
- A certificate recognizing their national innovation leadership
- Eligibility for ranking among India’s top innovation-led enterprises
National Impact
AGBA Innovation Framework
The AGBA Innovation Framework is more than an award—it’s a national catalyst to:
- Encourage R&D investments across sectors
- Foster innovation-led business models
- Recognize and reward forward-thinking companies
- Promote India’s innovation leadership on the global stage
By embedding innovation in boardrooms and policy circles, AGBA aims to propel India into the top tier of global innovation economies.