Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — June 2026
In June 2026, India's deeptech, electronics, and robotics sectors have access to 8 active funding opportunities. This list covers government grants, institutional seed funds, and international competitions for startups at various stages.
As of June 2026, there are eight active programs available for startups in India's deeptech, electronics, and robotics sectors. These opportunities span a range of formats, including government grants, institutional incubation programs, venture acceleration, and high-stakes international competitions.
The current funding landscape for these advanced technology sectors is supported by a mix of public and private initiatives. Government-backed bodies like the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and MeitY-supported incubators provide structured grant funding and infrastructure, while institutional programs from IITs and BITS Pilani offer early-stage seed support. This is complemented by global competitions and corporate venture units seeking to integrate cutting-edge startup solutions into their operations.
Active Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics Grants and Programs
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund for Innovation at PIEDS BITS Pilani | Incubation | 19 Jun 2026 | Up to ₹50 Lakh |
| SLINGSHOT 2026 Deep Tech Startup Pitching Competition at SWITCH, Singapore | Competition | 30 Jun 2026 | Up to ₹2.97 Crore |
| iDEX Open Challenge by DIO | Competition | 30 Jun 2026 | Up to ₹1.5 Crore |
| Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur | Competition | 15 Jul 2026 | Up to ₹50 Lakh |
| iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹30 Lakh |
| GRO8 Cohort 2 by 888VC | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹4.2 Crore |
| Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹4.2 Lakh |
| BMW Group Startup Garage | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
SLINGSHOT 2026 Deep Tech Startup Pitching Competition (Enterprise Singapore)
SLINGSHOT 2026 is Asia's leading deep tech startup pitching competition, organized by Enterprise Singapore. Held as part of the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH), it attracts innovators from across the globe. The competition features five domains relevant to the sector: Advanced Computing & Intelligence, Advanced Manufacturing & Industrial Systems, Digital Technologies & Security, and Environment, Energy & Sustainability.
The prize pool includes a grand prize of S$400,000 (approx. ₹2.97 crore) and significant grants for runners-up and the top 10 global startups. In total, over S$2.2 million in grant prizes are available. The top 50 global startups also receive a sponsored trip to Singapore to compete in the Domain Finals. Applications for this year's competition close on June 30, 2026.
iDEX Open Challenge (Defence Innovation Organisation)
The iDEX Open Challenge by DIO is a program by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) to promote innovation in India's defence and aerospace sectors. It provides a platform for startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators to propose technologies that can enhance India's military capabilities. Grant support of up to ₹1.5 crore is available for selected projects.
The challenge targets a broad range of technology domains, including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials, and intelligent machines. Unlike problem-specific challenges, the Open Challenge allows innovators to propose their own original solutions relevant to national defence and aerospace. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2026.
Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 (NERVE CoE, Nagpur)
The Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur is an 18-month incubation program for AI and deeptech startups. Supported by MeitY, NERVE CoE focuses on sectors like HealthTech, AgriTech, Forestry, and Mining. The program provides GPU infrastructure, seed funding up to ₹50 lakhs, and hands-on mentoring at STPI Nagpur.
Selected startups receive dedicated AI and GPU compute resources, mentorship on product validation and investor readiness, go-to-market support, and assistance with IPR and legal matters. This program is designed for deeptech ventures requiring significant computational resources and domain expertise. The application deadline for the first cohort is July 15, 2026.
SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund for Innovation (PIEDS BITS Pilani)
This early-stage seed funding initiative is run by the Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) at BITS Pilani. The SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund for Innovation at PIEDS BITS Pilani supports startups founded by BITS Pilani students or recent alumni, offering up to ₹50 lakhs.
The fund is designed to help high-potential startups validate ideas, build prototypes, and accelerate early commercialization. It offers a mix of non-matching and matching funding to encourage startups to secure external investment alongside institutional backing. The deadline for applications is extremely close, ending on June 19, 2026.
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)
The iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support program is a rolling initiative to help innovators turn a proof-of-concept (PoC) or prototype into a viable product. As a government-recognized Technology Business Incubator, iCreate provides access to various schemes from the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat, with funding support up to ₹30 lakhs.
The program offers holistic support, including business and technical mentorship, access to prototyping labs, incubation facilities, and connections with investors and industry partners. This is ideal for early-stage hardware and deeptech startups needing physical infrastructure and hands-on guidance.
GRO8 Cohort 2 (888VC)
GRO8 Cohort 2 by 888VC is a 12-week AI-enabled venture accelerator program with rolling admissions. It is designed to integrate AI into startup operations, providing execution-focused support. Participants receive a minimum direct investment of $25,000, with potential for up to $100,000 for standout companies and access to seed funding up to $500,000 (approx. ₹4.2 crore).
The program focuses on GTM strategy, investor readiness, and AI automation. Startups also receive a benefits kit valued at $60,000 and access to a network of over 200 seed and early-stage investors. It is suited for startups looking to leverage AI for operational efficiency and scaling.
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program (IITM Pravartak)
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is a pre-incorporation grant of up to ₹4.2 lakhs for innovators working on cyber-physical systems (CPS). Run by IIT Madras's Technology Innovation Hub, this program supports individuals at the idea stage, before a company is formally established.
The goal is to provide a runway and infrastructure to convert a CPS idea into a working prototype. Upon successful development, the innovator is channeled into Pravartak's main incubation pipeline for follow-on funding. This rolling program is tailored for solo innovators with a strong technical concept in the CPS domain.
BMW Group Startup Garage (BMW Group)
The BMW Group Startup Garage is the venture client unit of the BMW Group. Rather than a traditional accelerator, it functions as a global intermediary that integrates advanced startup solutions directly into BMW's business units. It is open to startups from over 50 countries, with rolling applications.
For deeptech, robotics, and electronics startups, this program offers a direct path to a major corporate client. The goal is to collaborate on pilot projects that solve specific internal challenges within BMW. Successful pilots often lead to paid follow-up projects, providing a significant commercialization opportunity.
Before Applying
Several programs have specific eligibility criteria that applicants must consider. The SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund is exclusively for startups founded by BITS Pilani students or recent alumni. Similarly, the Entrepreneur in Residence Program at IITM Pravartak is designed for pre-incorporation innovators with ideas in cyber-physical systems. The iDEX Open Challenge is sector-specific, targeting innovations for India’s defence and aerospace industries.
Urgency is a factor for several opportunities this month. The SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund closes on June 19th, requiring immediate action. Both the SLINGSHOT 2026 competition and the iDEX Open Challenge have a deadline of June 30th. Following that, the NERVE CoE OCP closes on July 15th. In contrast, programs from iCreate, 888VC, IITM Pravartak, and the BMW Group Startup Garage operate on a rolling basis, offering more flexibility for application timing.
