DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0
Under NIDHI-iTBI (Ignition Grant) by Sharda Launchpad
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Quick Answer
Grant up to ₹10L for S&T solutions targeting rural/societal challenges across focus areas.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹10 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Sharda Launchpad
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 29 April 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Sharda Launchpad. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0 is a flagship initiative spearheaded by Sharda Launchpad, a prominent technology business incubator located at Sharda University, with robust backing from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. As an integral part of DST's National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), this program is designed to cultivate a strong ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship within India. Sharda Launchpad provides a structured incubation pathway, ensuring that promising ideas are nurtured through critical developmental stages. The grant specifically targets high-impact, science and technology-based solutions that are engineered to confront and resolve pressing rural and societal challenges across the length and breadth of India.
Selected innovators and early-stage startup teams are eligible to receive a substantial Ignition Grant of up to ₹10,00,000 per entity. This crucial financial assistance is disbursed in accordance with stringent DST norms, with specific tranches contingent on the successful achievement of predetermined milestones and positive outcomes from the ongoing evaluation process. The primary objective of this funding is to provide critical support for prototype development and strengthening, rigorous validation activities, and to cover other essential expenses that bridge the gap from an initial idea or Proof of Concept (PoC) to a market-ready solution, ultimately preparing the venture for its startup phase.
Beyond the significant monetary aid, the program offers an extensive and comprehensive suite of non-monetary support tailored to accelerate growth. This includes unparalleled access to expert mentorship, where participants receive strategic guidance from seasoned industry veterans, accomplished entrepreneurs, and leading domain specialists. Innovators also benefit from dedicated access to state-of-the-art prototyping and lab facilities, which are indispensable for the intricate refinement and testing of their technological solutions. Furthermore, the initiative provides hands-on market validation assistance, including support for pilot programs and user feedback loops, alongside invaluable opportunities for vital industry connections, investor introductions, and partnership formations. This holistic support system is designed to equip participants with the tools and networks necessary for successful market entry and sustainable scaling of their ventures.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Go Premium to view.
Grant providers
Sharda Launchpad is the entrepreneurship and incubation arm of Sharda University, located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Established in 2013 as a Section 8 company, the incubator provides comprehensive startup support services to student entrepreneurs, faculty innovators, and…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹10 Lakhs
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Grants up to ₹10,00,000 for prototype development, validation, and essential expenses, disbursed based on milestones. Non-monetary support includes expert mentorship, access to state-of-the-art prototyping and lab facilities, hands-on market validation assistance, pilot programs, user feedback loops, industry connections, investor introductions, and partnership formations.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Applicants submit proposals via an online form. Initial screening shortlists promising candidates. Shortlisted applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation and expert interaction, involving a project review, pitch presentation, and Q&A session with a panel from Sharda Launchpad and DST.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
