Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — September 2026
Indian startups in Deeptech, Electronics, and Robotics can access 8 active funding and incubation programs in September 2026. Opportunities range from prototype grants by iCreate and IITM Pravartak to large-scale investments from Soma and defence innovation challenges from iDEX, supporting development from early-stage ideas to market-ready solutions.
Currently, 8 active programs including grants, incubation support, and competitions are available for Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics startups in India. The funding landscape for Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics in India is supported by a mix of government-backed schemes, institutional programs from technology incubators, and targeted innovation challenges. These initiatives provide capital, infrastructure, and ecosystem access, fostering development from proof-of-concept to market-ready products.
Active Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics Grants and Programs
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support | Grant | Rolling | ₹2 L – ₹3 Cr |
| Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak | Grant | Rolling | ₹4.2 L |
| NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program | Grant | Rolling | Varies |
| Soma Fellows | Equity | Rolling | ₹9 Cr – ₹180 Cr |
| IHFC Startup Incubation Program | Grant | Rolling | Varies |
| CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| iDEX Open Challenge | Grant | 30 Sept 2026 | ₹15 Cr |
| Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi | Grant | 6 Oct 2026 | Varies |
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support provides funding support and assistance for turning a proof-of-concept (PoC) or prototype into a successful product. iCreate, a government-recognised Technology Business Incubator, offers access to various schemes from institutions under the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat.
The program offers up to ₹30,00,000 in funding. It also provides business and technical mentorship, access to prototyping and digital innovation labs, incubation support, connections with investors and industry, and hostel accommodation on the iCreate campus. This initiative is designed for innovators ready to advance their PoC or prototype.
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak (IITM Pravartak)
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is a pre-incorporation grant for Indian innovators developing cyber-physical systems (CPS). It is administered by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, which functions as IIT Madras's Technology Innovation Hub under the NMICPS mission.
Selected EIRs receive a grant of up to ₹4,20,000. This program offers innovators the necessary runway and infrastructure to convert an idea into a working prototype or pilot. Following this initial stage, participants are channeled into Pravartak's incubation pipeline for follow-on funding once their company is incorporated.
NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program (NASSCOM)
The NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program offers a subsidized zero-equity incubation program aimed at accelerating technology startups in emerging domains like IoT and Artificial Intelligence. This program is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Haryana through Hartron.
The incubation program provides infrastructure, ecosystem access, and opportunities for enterprise integration. Selected startups gain access to a subsidized co-working environment, advanced prototyping labs for product development and technical validation, and shared complimentary GPU access, which aids AI-focused startups in training and testing computational models.
Soma Fellows (Soma)
Soma Fellows is a program by Soma, an investment firm. Soma has a history of building and investing in startups, with a track record of seeding over 30 unicorn companies across technology sectors.
The program provides substantial funding for startups, with initial investments reaching up to ₹18.6 crore. It also offers strategic guidance derived from years of direct involvement in startup growth and investment, along with access to Soma's global network.
IHFC Startup Incubation Program (IHFC, IIT Delhi)
The IHFC Startup Incubation Program is an intensive incubation and acceleration initiative for deep tech innovation in India. Established as a Section 8 company under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NMICPS) and hosted at IIT Delhi, IHFC works to cultivate a competitive startup ecosystem.
This program aims to advance India's capabilities in key technological domains such as Cyber Physical Systems (CPS), Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The specific funding amounts through this program vary based on the startup's needs and stage.
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 presented by the nasscom Centre of Excellence for IoT & AI, a joint initiative with MeitY and the Governments of Karnataka, Haryana, and Gujarat. This challenge targets deep-tech startups to develop advanced solutions for industrial problems.
The current challenge, developed with a major port terminal operator, focuses on detecting foreign objects within deep vessel holds during coal unloading. This addresses issues of hidden debris causing equipment damage and operational delays. Specific funding amounts for participants vary.
iDEX Open Challenge (Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX))
The iDEX Open Challenge is an initiative by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and iDEX, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within India's defence and aerospace sectors. The program bridges India's engineering talent with military needs, harnessing advanced technological capabilities for national security.
The challenge targets next-generation engineers, startups, and MSMEs developing solutions in areas such as autonomous systems, intelligent machines, advanced materials, predictive algorithms, and rocket engines. Selected innovations can receive up to ₹1,50,00,000. Applications for this challenge close on 30 September 2026.
Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi (Electropreneur Park)
The Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi is an Open Challenge Program (OCP) that empowers startups by providing opportunities to solve real-world problems. This program identifies, recognises, and rewards aspiring and early-stage tech entrepreneurs and innovators in the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) domain across India.
Participants gain access to strategic networking, seed funding, expert mentoring, and support for training, marketing, and patenting activities. The program also provides access to Electropreneur Park's Centers of Excellence (CoE) labs, specialized tools, software, and advanced incubation facilities. Specific funding amounts vary. The application deadline for this program is 6 October 2026.
Before Applying
When considering these programs, applicants should note specific eligibility criteria. The IITM Pravartak EIR Program is designed for innovators at the pre-incorporation stage with ideas focused on cyber-physical systems. The iDEX Open Challenge specifically targets next-gen engineers, startups, and MSMEs developing solutions for defence and aerospace, while Electropreneur Park's OCP 3.0 is for early-stage tech entrepreneurs in the ESDM domain. NASSCOM CoE Gurugram focuses on IoT & AI startups.
Regarding deadlines, the iDEX Open Challenge closes on 30 September 2026, and the Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi has a deadline of 6 October 2026. Other programs, including iCreate Pro-Fund, IITM Pravartak EIR, NASSCOM CoE Gurugram, Soma Fellows, IHFC, and the NASSCOM CoE Innovation Challenge, maintain rolling application intakes, allowing for submission at any time.
