Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — August 2026
Ten active grants, incubators, and competitions are open for Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics startups in India as of August 2026. Programs range from the IITM Pravartak EIR grant for pre-incorporation CPS innovators to the iDEX Open Challenge for defence technology. Deadlines include MC2+ Grand Butanol Challenge on 15 August 2026 and iDEX on 30 September 2026.
As of August 2026, at least 10 active grants, incubation programs, and competitions are open for Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics startups in India. They range from pre-incorporation grants and curated accelerators to government-backed defence challenges and international innovation prizes.
The funding landscape for Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics in India combines central-government missions such as NMICPS with corporate accelerators and sector-specific competitions. Most programs are rolling, allowing startups to apply when their prototype or product reaches the required maturity. Across the 10 programs listed below, the maximum disclosed award amounts total more than ₹10.43 crore.
Active Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics Grants and Programs
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak | Grant | Rolling | Up to ₹4,20,000 |
| ACE $100k High-Touch AI Accelerator by Invention Engine | Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹90,00,000 |
| iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support | Grant | Rolling | Up to ₹30,00,000 |
| Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program | Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| IHFC Startup Incubation Program | Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| iDEX Open Challenge | Competition | 30 Sep 2026 | Up to ₹1,50,00,000 |
| BOSCH - BMU Innovation Challenge | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| MC²+ Grand Butanol Challenge | Competition | 15 Aug 2026 | Up to ₹7,50,00,000 |
| Young Inventors Prize 2027 | Competition | 30 Sep 2026 | Up to ₹19,00,000 |
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak (IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation)
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is a pre-incorporation grant for Indian innovators working on cyber-physical systems (CPS). It is run by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, IIT Madras's Technology Innovation Hub under the NMICPS mission, based at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai. The program is designed for the stage before a company is incorporated: Pravartak takes on a single innovator with a CPS idea, provides runway and infrastructure to develop a working prototype or pilot, then channels them into Pravartak's incubation pipeline (PRAYAS, Seed Support System) for follow-on funding once the company is formed.
Selected EIRs receive a grant of up to ₹4,20,000. The application is rolling, and the program targets electronics, robotics, and CPS startups that have not yet reached incorporation. No fixed deadline is listed, so interested founders can apply through the IITM Pravartak website at any time.
ACE $100k High-Touch AI Accelerator by Invention Engine (Invention Engine)
The ACE $100k High-Touch AI Accelerator by Invention Engine is a six-month accelerator for early-stage AI and deeptech startups building globally relevant products. It operates like a co-founding partner, embedding researchers, entrepreneurs, and operators with founders to sharpen their ideal customer profile, iterate products through user feedback, launch go-to-market strategies, and prepare for institutional fundraising.
The program provides up to ₹90,00,000 in funding. Unlike cohort-based programs, ACE accepts applications on a rolling basis. Startups in electronics, robotics, and AI with a working prototype and evidence of customer validation are the primary fit. The provider does not list a deadline, and selects founders who move beyond demos and focus on delivering real customer value.
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)
The iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support is a scheme run by iCreate, a government-recognised Technology Business Incubator, to help startups turn a proof-of-concept or prototype into a product. The gateway provides access to a range of Government of India and Government of Gujarat schemes.
Startups accepted into the program can receive up to ₹30,00,000 in prototype/PoC funding support. They also get business and technical mentorship, access to prototyping and digital innovation labs, incubation support, investor connections, and on-campus hostel accommodation. The application is open on a rolling basis. Electronics and deeptech startups with a demonstrable PoC or prototype can apply through iCreate's gateway.
Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program (NASSCOM)
The Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program is a virtual incubation program for early-stage, long-gestation deeptech startups in India. It supports startups working on advanced and frontier technologies, strengthening technical and intellectual-property capabilities and providing access to markets and investors.
The program operates as a continuous, pipeline-based model rather than fixed cohorts, so startups can enter at the right stage of readiness throughout the year. Funding varies by startup and stage. There is no set deadline; NASSCOM accepts applications on a rolling basis. The program is suited to robotics, AI, electronics, and other deeptech startups that need longer development cycles.
IHFC Startup Incubation Program (IHFC, IIT Delhi)
The IHFC Startup Incubation Program is run by I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics, a Section 8 company under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems, hosted at IIT Delhi. IHFC supports startups in cyber-physical systems, robotics, autonomous systems, IoT, and AI.
The program is an intensive incubation and acceleration initiative. It offers funding and support, but the amount varies by startup and stage. The application is rolling and no deadline is listed. It targets deeptech startups that align with IHFC's mandate to build a competitive ecosystem in CPS and cobotics.
iDEX Open Challenge (iDEX)
The iDEX Open Challenge is a flagship competition by the Defence Innovation Organisation and iDEX to connect startups and MSMEs with India's defence and aerospace needs. It invites solutions in autonomous systems, intelligent machines, advanced materials, predictive algorithms, and rocket engines.
Winning proposals can receive up to ₹1,50,00,000. The deadline is 30 September 2026. Startups and MSMEs developing deeptech for defence applications should note that solutions are evaluated against military requirements; the program is looking for engineers and companies that can scale to field use.
BOSCH - BMU Innovation Challenge (ACIC-BMU Foundation)
The BOSCH - BMU Innovation Challenge is a corporate innovation competition run by ACIC-BMU Foundation in partnership with Bosch India. It seeks innovators and researchers working on sustainable mobility, including connectivity, synthetic fuels, electrification, innovative brake systems, and inclusive mobility solutions for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and women.
The competition accepts applications on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. Funding varies by solution and scope. Startups in the electronics and robotics space that address mass mobility, road safety, or clean technologies are eligible to apply. The public listing does not specify additional eligibility criteria beyond the focus areas.
CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders (NASSCOM CoE-IoT&AI)
The CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders is run by the nasscom Centre of Excellence for IoT & AI, a joint initiative with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and the Governments of Karnataka, Haryana, and Gujarat. The current challenge, developed with a major port terminal operator, addresses a safety and efficiency issue in bulk cargo handling: detecting foreign objects inside deep vessel holds during coal unloading.
Startups are expected to develop advanced deep-tech solutions for this real-world operational problem. The application is rolling, and funding varies. The provider has not listed a deadline. This challenge is suitable for AI, IoT, and robotics startups with experience in computer vision, sensor fusion, or automated inspection.
MC²+ Grand Butanol Challenge (MC² Foundation)
The MC²+ Grand Butanol Challenge is an energy innovation platform run by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas in association with the Department of Biotechnology. It unites seven energy majors and invites innovators, startups, and research institutions to propose indigenous, scalable, and commercially viable technologies for producing n-Butanol and iso-Butanol as diesel-blending fuels.
The winning venture can receive up to ₹7,50,00,000. The deadline is 15 August 2026, giving applicants a short remaining window to submit. The challenge is relevant for deeptech startups in process engineering, synthetic biology, and catalysis.
Young Inventors Prize 2027 (European Patent Office)
The Young Inventors Prize 2027 is an international competition by the European Patent Office recognising young innovators developing technology solutions that address the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The prize offers up to ₹19,00,000 (€20,000) and global exhibition opportunities.
The deadline is 30 September 2026. The public listing does not specify an age cutoff, so Indian deeptech, electronics, and robotics inventors should confirm eligibility on the EPO website. The competition is not restricted to Indian applicants, but Indian startups and inventors are eligible.
Before Applying
Eligibility constraints differ across these programs. The IITM Pravartak EIR is limited to pre-incorporation innovators, so founders who have already registered a company should look at the iCreate gateway or NASSCOM Launchpad instead. iCreate's funding is anchored to Government of India and Government of Gujarat schemes, and the Bosch challenge restricts entries to sustainable mobility focus areas. MC2+ Grand Butanol Challenge is specific to biofuel production, not general electronics or robotics.
Deadlines split into rolling and fixed cohorts. Rolling programs include EIR, ACE, iCreate, NASSCOM Launchpad, IHFC, Bosch, and NASSCOM CoE, which accept applications throughout the year. Fixed deadlines apply to MC2+ Grand Butanol Challenge (15 August 2026), iDEX Open Challenge (30 September 2026), and Young Inventors Prize 2027 (30 September 2026). MC2+ closes first, four days from today, so applicants with a biobutanol production process need to submit immediately. iDEX and the EPO prize allow more time but require defence-specific or SDG-aligned work respectively.
