Bhau Institute, COEP

Pre-Incubation is where Bhau puts people who are interested in entrepreneurship as a career and are in the very early stages of testing an idea technically and commercially. It runs alongside the other incubation types and can support founders who are not in Pune.

What you get

• A significant amount of training
• Basic business and technology validation mentoring
• Access to networking events

Who can apply

• Students and first-time founders with an idea they want to test
• Founders based outside Pune, since this track supports offsite startups

How selection works: applications are shortlisted for a first idea pitch in person, and incubation starts for those who clear it.

How to apply: fill in and submit the application form on the institute's website. There is no registration fee.

Physical Incubation is Bhau's main resident programme. It is described as selective and intensive, with the institute backing startups on their potential impact and giving special consideration to IoT, healthcare technologies, cyber security and grassroots innovation.

What you get

• Structured training and targeted mentoring
• Access to negotiated third-party service providers for legal, marketing, patenting, web design, accounting and finance
• Funding support and hands-on guidance
• A network of co-founders, mentors, investors and service providers for the incubation period
• Use of the institute's labs, maker's lab and shared spaces, and access to COEP's departmental laboratories

Who can apply

• Any founder with a business idea; nothing restricts this to COEP students or alumni
• Already-funded startups with a valuation, on different terms
• Mid-career professionals working in industry who want to pursue an idea

How selection works: reviewers weigh commercial viability, how innovative the technology is, whether it can be patented, market opportunity, scalability, how distinctive the proposition is, and team strength.

How to apply: submit the application form on the institute's website, then attend a first idea pitch if shortlisted.

Virtual Incubation exists for companies that do not get space at the facility or choose not to have a physical desk but still want the incubation programming. The institute is explicit that you do not have to move to Pune for it, and that most business and technical mentoring happens remotely.

What you get

• Mentoring on business opportunity validation
• Access to training programmes
• Limited access to networking events

Who can apply

• Founders based outside Pune or unable to commit to a desk

How selection works: the same route as the other incubation tracks — a form, then a first idea pitch, then selection.

How to apply: submit the application form on the institute's website. Plan for being physically present for a detailed review once every two months, at investor events, and at specific technical and business training and workshops.

Bhau works with corporate organizations to act as their incubation centre in their own technology areas, typically for innovations that fall outside the company's mainstream innovation pipeline. Companies use it either as an external innovation and startup-creation zone where their technologies are spun out into companies, or as a platform for putting CSR money behind startups solving social problems in education, rural development and women's entrepreneurship.

What you get

• A programme designed around the company's technology areas
• Bhau's resources behind the research and development of the product, and then incubation of the resulting startup

Who can apply

• Corporate organizations, not individual founders

How to apply: contact the institute directly at its general inbox.

The institute says it completed one such programme in 2017-18 with 3DPLM and Dassault Systemes, incubating three startups, and has since run one with Siemens.

PRAYAS backs individual innovators taking a new idea to prototype stage. Bhau says at least ten young innovators are selected in a year, after review by a panel of experts, and admitted as PRAYASEES. Its sector focus for this call is IoT and AI using IoT, cyber security, EV and smart mobility, healthcare technologies, grassroots innovation and renewable energy.

What you get

• A prototyping grant for the selected innovator
• Access to a prototyping lab, mentorship, technology guidance and peer networking

Who can apply

• Individual innovators who are Indian citizens, at least eighteen on the date of application, with government-issued proof of nationality
• Preference may go to innovators who have bootstrapped or hold a co-investment commitment, who have a clear road to commercialization, and to women and young innovators
• A team applies through one lead applicant, who receives the support on the team's behalf
• Not eligible: pure software development projects, pure academic research, and students on long-term research such as doctoral projects
• You need a no-objection certificate from your employer, or from your institute if you are studying or working there, and again if the prototype builds on institutional IP
• The grant can be used only once, and not if you have taken similar support from another government body for the same idea

How selection works: a panel of experts reviews applications against the scheme's criteria.

How to apply: apply through the national PRAYAS innovators portal linked from the programme page, and attach the relevant no-objection certificate. Selected innovators must also join Bhau's pre-incubation or incubation programme for the whole period, after clearing its own selection.

NIDHI EIR is the NSTEDB fellowship for people who would otherwise take a high-paying job rather than start something. Bhau's own call for applications is currently closed, so check the programme page before planning around it. It runs for twelve to eighteen months depending on milestones, and the fellow is expected at the institute every Thursday.

What you get

• A monthly fellowship grant for the fellowship period
• Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs on the business concept, strategy and the industry
• End-to-end mentoring from idea validation to drafting the business plan
• Office space to develop the idea into a marketable product
• Help applying for government grants at a higher technology readiness level, and introductions into the funding and ecosystem network

Who can apply

• Indian citizens with a four-year undergraduate or postgraduate degree in science or engineering, or a three-year diploma or degree in those fields plus one to two years of full-time work experience
• Preference goes to women entrepreneurs, innovators under 35, business plans that can create manufacturing jobs, professionals with relevant industry experience, and people with a track record of invention or of volunteering to solve problems
• Software and SaaS projects are not considered
• Fellows must have no parallel income source, must attend institute events, and can use the fellowship only once

How selection works: on top of the national guidelines, Bhau weighs how unique the idea is, what sets it apart from competitors, whether it fits its domain focus, and how sustainable it is.

How to apply: download the guidelines and the sample application from the programme page and apply when the call reopens.

The NIDHI Seed Support System exists because incubators can cover space, services and knowledge but not the capital a technology startup needs in its first phase. Bhau's call is currently closed. Unlike its other programmes, this one is an investment: the institute takes equity, puts a nominee director or observer on the board, and expects an exit within three to five years through a promoter buy-back, a sale to shareholders, or the next investment round.

What you get

• Seed support for product development, testing and trials, test marketing, mentoring, professional consultancy, IPR work and day-to-day manpower

Who can apply

• Companies registered in India, registered as a startup with Bhau for at least three months
• Indian startups only; Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies are excluded, while OCI and PIO holders count as Indian citizens for this scheme
• Indian promoters must hold at least 51 percent
• You must be, or be willing to become, a physical incubatee of Bhau before investment, and be registered as a private limited company
• Founders must be willing to share equity

How selection works: a Seed Support Management Committee and an Investment Committee review applications. They look for a dedicated team, a formal business plan, technical soundness, high ethical and professional standards, a strong technology or knowledge component, and credibility for raising money later. Bhau runs financial and legal due diligence and has the valuation done through third-party providers, then signs a term sheet and a shareholder agreement. Reporting is half-yearly to the committee plus annual audited accounts.

How to apply: download the registration form from the programme page and send it to the institute when the call reopens.

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme addresses the gap before angel and venture money becomes available, when a startup has an idea but no proof of concept and no assets to borrow against. It is disbursed through eligible incubators, and Bhau runs the call for its own focus areas: IoT and AI using IoT, cyber security, agri-tech, healthcare technologies, EV and smart mobility, grassroots innovation and renewable energy. Its page says the call is open.

What you get

• Financial assistance for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization
• Support can be taken as a grant and as debt or convertible debentures, each once

Who can apply

• Startups recognised by DPIIT and incorporated no more than two years before applying
• The idea must be for a product or service with market fit, viable commercialization and room to scale, with technology at the core of the product, service, business model, distribution model or methodology
• Indian promoters must hold at least 51 percent at the time of applying to the incubator
• You must not have taken more than the scheme's stated ceiling of monetary support under any other central or state scheme, excluding competition prize money, subsidised workspace, a founder allowance, and access to labs or prototyping facilities
• Preference goes to startups working on social impact, waste and water management, financial inclusion, education, agriculture, food processing, biotechnology, healthcare, energy, mobility, defence, space, railways, oil and gas, and textiles

How to apply: apply through the national Startup India seed fund portal linked from the programme page, after getting DPIIT recognition. The guidelines book is downloadable there, and the institute answers questions on its seed fund inbox, sisfs.bhau@coep.ac.in.

SARTHI-Bhau is a fellowship run with SARTHI for graduates from specific Maharashtra communities who want to turn an innovation into a scalable technology business. Its page says the call is open. It runs for twelve months against milestones and monthly progress reports, and its focus sectors are agri-tech, agriculture, foodtech, EV and smart mobility, IoT and AI using IoT, and renewable energy.

What you get

• A monthly fellowship grant for the year
• Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs on the concept, strategy and industry
• End-to-end mentoring from idea validation to business plan drafting
• Office space to develop the idea into a marketable product
• Help applying for government grants at a higher technology readiness level, and introductions into the funding and ecosystem network

Who can apply

• Domiciled in Maharashtra and graduated
• From the Maratha, Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi or Kunbi-Maratha communities
• Holding your own innovation idea that you can turn into a scalable technology business model within a year
• Working full time on the startup with no parallel income source
• Willing to attend every SARTHI and Bhau Institute event

How to apply: download the sample form from the programme page and submit the application through the link there.

AMRUT-Bhau is the equivalent fellowship for graduates from the economically weaker section of the open category — the castes that get no benefit from any separate government department, institution, corporation or organization in Maharashtra. Its page says the call is open. It runs for twelve months against milestones and monthly progress reports, focused on IoT and AI using IoT, foodtech, agriculture, agri-tech, EV and smart mobility, and renewable energy.

What you get

• A monthly fellowship grant for the year
• Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs on the concept, strategy and industry
• End-to-end mentoring from idea validation to business plan drafting
• Office space to develop the idea into a marketable product
• Help applying for government grants at a higher technology readiness level, and introductions into the funding and ecosystem network

Who can apply

• Domiciled in Maharashtra, aged 45 or under at the time of applying
• Graduated from a degree programme of at least three years
• Holding your own innovation idea that you can turn into a scalable technology business model within a year
• Working full time on the startup with no parallel income source
• Willing to attend every AMRUT and Bhau Institute event

How to apply: download the sample form and pitch deck template from the programme page, then apply through the AMRUT scheme portal linked there.

MahaJyoti-Bhau supports aspiring entrepreneurs from the OBC, VJ, NT and SBC categories in Maharashtra who hold a valid Non-Creamy Layer Certificate. MahaJyoti provides the financial assistance and Bhau provides the mentoring, incubation and business guidance. The last stated deadline has passed, so treat it as between intakes and check the programme page before planning around it. Its focus sectors are IoT and AI or machine learning, cyber security, EV and smart mobility, healthcare technologies, grassroots innovation, renewable energy, agritech, food tech, edtech and sustainable innovation.

What you get

• Monthly financial assistance for up to a year, released against your progress reports and Bhau's recommendation
• Twelve months of incubation support, expert mentoring and business development assistance

Who can apply

• Residents of Maharashtra from the OBC, VJ, NT or SBC category with a valid Non-Creamy Layer Certificate
• You need a Maharashtra domicile certificate, caste certificate, caste validity certificate and non-creamy layer certificate; incomplete applications are not considered
• You need a technology-based innovative startup idea, and must build a prototype and turn it into a startup within one year
• You must work full time on the startup, attend the mentorship and evaluation sessions, submit periodic progress reports, and not take assistance under any other MahaJyoti scheme during the programme

How selection works: a maximum of ten innovators are selected.

How to apply: apply online through the MahaJyoti and Bhau Institute websites using the link on the programme page, when the next call opens.

This was Bhau's corporate incubation programme with Siemens, giving young entrepreneurs Siemens and Bhau resources behind the research and development of a product and then incubating it. Applications for it are closed; it is listed here because it recurs as the shape of Bhau's corporate work rather than as something you can apply to today.

What you get

• Pre-incubation mentoring to shape the idea
• Access to Siemens design software at no charge
• Incubation space at no charge
• Technical mentoring and training from experts, and business mentoring from Bhau and Siemens
• Access to COEP labs and faculty
• Support towards proof-of-concept development

Who can apply

• Anyone with a product idea in the listed technologies who can use Siemens design software, training and mentoring alongside COEP and Bhau resources
• Categories covered artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, machine learning, healthcare, Internet of Things, cyber security, social innovation, and ideas built on Siemens tools

How selection works: applications were evaluated towards an elevator pitch day.