Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak
By IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation
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Quick Answer
₹35,000/month stipend for up to 12 months for Indian innovators building CPS prototypes pre-incorporation at IIT Madras Pravartak.
Results & next round
Applications for this round are closed. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation. 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 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, headquartered at the IIT Madras Research Park, Taramani, Chennai.
What stage is this for
This program is designed for the stage before a company is incorporated. Pravartak takes on a single innovator with a CPS idea, gives them runway and infrastructure to convert that idea into a working prototype or pilot, and then channels them into Pravartak's incubation pipeline (PRAYAS, Seed Support System) for follow-on funding once the company is formed.
What you get
Selected EIRs receive a grant of up to ₹35,000 per month for 12 months (cumulative up to ₹4.2 lakh), plus technical mentorship and access to IITM Pravartak's lab facilities at the IIT Madras Research Park. The position lasts for a maximum of one year.
Focus areas
IITM Pravartak only considers proposals in Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems — the building blocks of cyber-physical systems. Adjacent CPS-relevant work (IoT, robotics, industrial automation, embedded systems, edge AI) is implied by the same scope.
Patents & IP — read this carefully
All patents and technology ideas generated during the EIR period are jointly owned by IITM Pravartak and the inventor(s). IITM Pravartak bears the patent filing costs. Once a startup is later formed by the EIR, Pravartak licenses the IP back to that startup with a royalty clause; an exclusive licence option is available subject to terms agreed at the time of filing. EIRs should factor this into their decision — this is not standard "your IP, your company" support.
Continuity into Pravartak's incubation pipeline
Once a prototype is built, EIRs can graduate into Pravartak's PRAYAS or Seed Support System (SSS) tracks for further funding — turning the EIR year into the on-ramp to becoming a Pravartak-incubated startup.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation is a Section 8 not-for-profit company that runs the Technology Innovation Hub on Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems — SNACS — at IIT Madras. It is hosted by IIT Madras and funded by the Department of Science and Technology…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- ₹4.2L
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Up to ₹35,000 per month for 12 months (cumulative up to ₹4.2 lakh), technical mentorship from IIT Madras / IITM Pravartak's network, access to Pravartak's lab facilities at IIT Madras Research Park, and a graduation path into Pravartak's PRAYAS and Seed Support System (SSS) tracks for post-incorporation funding.
- Disbursement
- Tranched
- Duration
- 12 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Candidates submit a written proposal in IITM Pravartak's specified format covering the objective, milestones and expenditure plan. The Technical Review Committee screens submissions; shortlisted candidates are invited to present to the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), which assesses the idea's innovation and market potential. Successful candidates are offered the EIR position.
After onboarding, the technical review committee performs periodic milestone reviews; continued funding is contingent on demonstrated progress.
Application Process
- 1
Account Signup
Create an EIR account on the IITM Pravartak incubation portal.
You - 2
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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
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a registered company to apply?
No. The EIR program is explicitly designed for the pre-incorporation stage. You apply as an individual; the goal is to take you from idea to prototype before you form a company.
How much funding do I get?
Up to ₹35,000 per month for 12 months — cumulative up to ₹4.2 lakh — disbursed as a monthly stipend, contingent on milestone reviews by IITM Pravartak's Technical Review Committee.
What sectors does IITM Pravartak fund under EIR?
IITM Pravartak only considers proposals in Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems — the core building blocks of cyber-physical systems (CPS).
Who owns the IP I create during the EIR period?
All patents and technology ideas generated during the EIR are jointly owned by IITM Pravartak and the inventor. Pravartak bears filing costs and later licenses the IP back to your startup with a royalty clause; an exclusive licence option is available subject to agreed terms. This is an important commercial difference from standard equity-free grants.
What happens after the EIR year ends?
Once your prototype is ready, you can apply to IITM Pravartak's PRAYAS or Seed Support System (SSS) schemes for further funding to take the product to market.
Is there a preference for any particular type of applicant?
Yes — winners of Hackathons or Grand Challenge Competitions are given preference.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
