IIITB Innovation Centre

The TIDE 2.0 scheme by MeitY aims to promote technology startups working in emerging technologies through financial and technical support. IIITB Innovation Centre in collaboration with MeitY, is empowering digital technology innovators to develop their enterprises. Entrepreneurs with technology-based startup ideas using emerging digital technology paradigms such as SaaS/PaaS/IoT, AI, Blockchain, Robotics, etc. can apply. Focus areas include Civic Tech & Education, Financial inclusion, Healthcare or Agriculture. Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) offers funding support upto ₹ 4 lakh for validation and development of an idea to PoC over 12 months, for Indian entrepreneurs with a well-defined business idea. Funding support upto ₹ 7 lakh for translation of PoC to Product and beyond over 12 months, for Indian startups with a well developed PoC.

The program has phases: A. Purpose + Discover (Opportunity + Onboarding) for 3-6 months; B. Pilot (MVP) + Create Solution for 3-6 months, Refinement based on Feedback from Pilot for 3 months, Early Customers + Iterative Changes + Launch for 3-6 months. Total A + B leads to Customers, Revenue, Product / Market Fit in 12-18 Months (Pre-Seed Fund Stage to be reached). Additionally if start-up Shows Promise, Iterative Changes + Perfect Product Market Fit in 6-12 Months (Seed to be reached). Total Duration 2 Years Max. For profit-making companies, they should reach scale, while public-good companies should look at level of acceptance by their audiences.

The program offers structured, step-by-step approach to help startups achieve problem/solution fit and solution/customer fit. It includes expert mentorship, guidance from industry advisors, and support from IIITB Innovation Centre with strategic ecosystem backing from the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) as Strategic Knowledge Partner. Founders work with mentors to identify gaps and select core areas for deeper understanding through expert-led sessions from Wadhwani Foundation’s Liftoff program. Thematic areas include Digital Payments & Infrastructure, Financial Inclusion, Lending Innovation & Credit Scoring, Cybersecurity & Fraud Management, and Climate Tech-Driven Finance. Early-stage startups working on PoC/MVP can apply. Expected outcomes include Business Model Design/Fine tuning, Problem/Solution Fit, Solution/Customer Fit, and Focused Learning Areas for Startup Growth (Legal, Finance, IP, Fundraising, Sales & Marketing). There is a program fee of ₹15,000 to be paid prior to the start. The program is conducted online, with optional in-person one-on-one sessions for Bangalore founders. No grant or fund is provided in this program, but successful teams may transition into a 12-month incubation program with access to funding opportunities.

The program helps founders convert ideas into a sustainable and growing business achieving product/market fit. Founder(s) will be supported by IIITB Innovation center team and expert mentors and advisors from the industry over a period of twelve weeks to complete problem/solution fit and solution/customer fit. Founders can identify gaps and go through sessions from Wadhwani Foundation’s Liftoff program experts. Thematic areas include Preventive Healthcare, Women Health, Geriatric care, Food & Nutrition, Fitness & Sport Health-tech, and Palliative care. Innovative Founders in Digital Health & Wellness and Early-Stage Builders Working on PoC/MVP are eligible. Expected outcomes include Business Model Design/Fine tuning, Problem/Solution Fit, Solution/Customer Fit, and Optional Areas of startup skillsets. There is a program fee of Rs 15000 which needs to be paid before the start of the program. The program is conducted online, with optional in-person one-on-one sessions for Bangalore founders. No grant or fund is provided in this pre incubation program, but if selected for the follow-on twelve-month incubation program, participants will have access to grants and other financial support.