Provides financial support up to ₹40 lakhs for pilot projects to validate and demonstrate market-ready solutions, particularly for startups from Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

The PILOT Component under GENESIS is designed to enable startups, particularly from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, to validate and demonstrate their market-ready solutions through pilot projects with corporates, PSUS, and large enterprises. Each selected startup may receive up to funding of ₹40 lakhs. Disbursement may be milestone-based or in single/two tranches. Startups will receive dedicated support from Enabling Partners (EPs), including access to labs, prototyping equipment, workspaces, periodic mentoring, business connects, and compliance support. Centers can hold equity up to 3% on behalf of MSH. Eligibility requires a DPIIT registered startup in ICT-related domains (IT & AI, electronic design & manufacturing, tech/deeptech products) with an MVP/working prototype, viable business plan, full-time founder/co-founder, and a Pilot work order/Purchase order from an eligible corporate/PSU/unicorn. Must not be a beneficiary of TIDE 2.0 scale-up or SAMRIDH.

Full Pilot Program - GENESIS Scheme guide

CPS-SEED SUPPORT SCHEME (SSS)

Grant scheme

Provides financial assistance for commercialization of products developed by startups under the incubation program.

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to startups with new and meritorious ideas, innovations, and technologies, enabling them to raise investments from angel/Venture capitalists or seek loans from commercial banks/financial institutions. Support is given as a grant to the incubator for providing to startups as a soft loan or against equity or a combination of both. Eligibility requires a registered private company that has completed a minimum of three months incubation at the TBI, an Indian startup (51% Indian promoter shareholding), and generally caters to early-stage financing for commercialization of indigenous ideas. Funds can be utilized for product development, testing and trials, test marketing, mentoring, professional consultancy, IPR issues, and manpower for day-to-day operations. A startup can be funded only once.

Official programme page

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)

Grant scheme

Provides financial assistance up to INR 50 lakhs for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market-entry, and commercialization, funded by DPIIT.

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

Purpose: PoC, Prototype Development, Market-Entry, and Commercialization. Funding Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Maximum Funding: INR 50 Lacs. Eligibility: DPIIT Recognized startup, incorporated not more than 2 years from the date of application, innovative business idea with strong market potential, commercial viability, and scalability, leveraging technology, at least 51% shareholding by Indian promoters. Must not have received more than ₹10 lakh in monetary support under any other Central or State Government scheme (excluding prize money, subsidized workspace, founder allowance, lab access, prototyping facilities). A startup can avail seed support only once under SISFS in the form of a grant and once through debt/convertible debentures.

Official programme page

Incubation tracks

The routes into IIT Mandi Catalyst, and what each one includes.

Track	Type	Space	Includes
Incubation ProgramGeneral incubation program with co-working spaces and essential facilities.	Resident incubation	—	—
IGNITE Incubator	Resident incubation	—	—
Nidhi-EIR Program	Fellowship	—	—
Tide 2.0 EIR Program	Fellowship	—	—
Young Innovator Fellow	Fellowship	—	—

Labs & facilities

Equipment and space on campus.

incubation center

coworking spaces

Prayas Shala lab for hardware prototyping

Co-work Space

BioNEST Laboratory

prototyping facilities

labs

prototyping equipment

workspaces

Support services

Help offered alongside funding and space.

Business advisoryIP & patentsRegulatory support

Recognitions & empanelments

Official approvals this incubator holds.

Technology Business Incubator· 2017

DST Seed Support System

EIC designation under the Atal Innovation Mission

MeitY RISE and GENESIS programs· 2024

BIRAC BioNEST bio-incubation support· 2024

BioNEST Centre· 2025

State Knowledge Partner for the establishment of 36 Pre-Rural Incubation Centres· 2025

Supported by Department of Industries (Govt. of Himachal Pradesh) and in collaboration with HPCED

RAMP initiative of Department of MSME (Government of India)· 2025

collaboration with SIDBI for Rural Entrepreneurship Development Program (REDP)· 2025

BIRAC-supported bioincubator BioNEST IIT Mandi Catalyst

About IIT Mandi Catalyst

IIT Mandi Catalyst

IIT Mandi Catalyst, IIT मंडी का टेक्नोलॉजी बिज़नेस इनक्यूबेटर (TBI) है, जिसे 2016 में हिमाचल प्रदेश के पहले TBI के रूप में स्थापित किया गया था। IIT मंडी के कमंद घाटी परिसर से संचालित, Catalyst का लक्ष्य 'हिमालय में एक स्टार्टअप घाटी' बनाना है — एक ऐसा गंतव्य इनक्यूबेटर जो विश्व-स्तरीय तकनीकी संसाधनों को हिमालयी क्षेत्र की भावना के साथ जोड़ता है। इसे DST, MeitY, BIRAC, HPCED, HDFC, और कई राज्य तथा केंद्र सरकार की एजेंसियों का समर्थन प्राप्त है।

2025 तक, Catalyst ने 340 से अधिक स्टार्टअप्स का समर्थन किया है, विभिन्न योजनाओं के माध्यम से 200 से अधिक को वित्त पोषित किया है, और पूरे हिमाचल प्रदेश में महत्वपूर्ण रोज़गार सृजित किए हैं। IIT मंडी को रोज़गार और उद्यमिता सृजन में उत्कृष्टता के लिए FICCI हायर एजुकेशन एक्सीलेंस अवार्ड 2025 प्राप्त हुआ।

कार्यक्रम

Ignite Programme: आइडिया-स्टेज संस्थापकों के लिए जो MVP को वैलिडेट और बनाना चाहते हैं। संरचित मेंटरशिप, IIT मंडी के बुनियादी ढांचे और प्रारंभिक अनुदान फंडिंग तक पहुंच प्रदान करता है।

Exploration Programme: प्रोटोटाइप-स्टेज टीमों के लिए कोहॉर्ट-आधारित डीप-डाइव कार्यक्रम, जिसमें वर्कशॉप, डिज़ाइन स्प्रिंट और मार्केट वैलिडेशन बूटकैंप चलाए जाते हैं।

Investment Readiness Programme: पिच कोचिंग, ड्यू डिलिजेंस की तैयारी और निवेशकों से परिचय के साथ, विकास-चरण के स्टार्टअप्स को संस्थागत धन जुटाने के लिए तैयार करता है।

फंडिंग उपकरण

आइडिया से प्रोटोटाइप तक (₹4 लाख तक): NIDHI-EIR, MeitY TIDE 2.0 EIR, HPCED Sustenance Allowance
प्रोटोटाइप विकास (₹10 लाख तक): NIDHI-Prayas, MeitY TIDE 2.0, AICTE, ASIIM, Startup India Seed Fund, MeitY GENESIS EIR
परिनियोजन/स्केलिंग (₹25–50 लाख तक): Him Startup Yojana (HIMSUP), NIDHI Seed Support System (NSS), Startup India Seed Fund
BioNEST सेंटर: हेल्थकेयर, एग्रीटेक और डीप-टेक बायो स्टार्टअप्स का समर्थन करने वाले एक समर्पित बायोइंक्यूबेटर के लिए ₹5 करोड़ का BIRAC अनुदान
GENESIS Matching Investment Programme उन स्टार्टअप्स के लिए जिन्हें मैच की गई निवेशक फंडिंग की आवश्यकता है

प्रमुख आयोजन

Himalayan Startup Trek (HST): वार्षिक प्रमुख आयोजन (अब तक 9 संस्करण) जो प्रत्येक संस्करण में 1,500 से अधिक आवेदन, 200 से अधिक संस्थापक और 25 से अधिक निवेशकों को आकर्षित करता है। IIT मंडी परिसर में आयोजित होता है।

ट्रैक रिकॉर्ड

उल्लेखनीय पोर्टफोलियो फंडिंग में Mitigata ($5.9M Series A, Nexus Venture Partners), WattCycle (GIC Re से ₹10 करोड़ का अनुदान), Medyseva Technologies (₹4 करोड़, Unicorn India Ventures), और Deep Algorithms (₹10.8 करोड़ सीड) शामिल हैं। Catalyst RAMP पहल के तहत हिमाचल प्रदेश के 12 जिलों में 36 प्री-ग्रामीण इनक्यूबेशन सेंटर की स्थापना का भी नेतृत्व करता है।

किसे आवेदन करना चाहिए

आइडिएशन और वैलिडेशन चरणों में डीप-टेक, बायोटेक, क्लीनटेक, एग्रीटेक और हार्डवेयर-इंटेंसिव स्टार्टअप के संस्थापक। IIT मंडी से संबद्ध और बाहरी दोनों संस्थापक स्वागत योग्य हैं। विशेष रूप से टियर 2/3 शहरों और पहाड़ी राज्यों के उन संस्थापकों के लिए मजबूत है जो विश्व-स्तरीय इनक्यूबेशन बुनियादी ढांचे के साथ गैर-डाइल्यूटिव सरकारी अनुदान सहायता की तलाश में हैं।

Who they work with

Stage

Sectors

Technology

Notable alumni

Dharaksha Ecosolutions

Frequently asked questions about IIT Mandi Catalyst

What does IIT Mandi Catalyst do?

Where is IIT Mandi Catalyst located?

IIT Mandi Catalyst is based in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India.

What programs does IIT Mandi Catalyst run?

IIT Mandi Catalyst runs Ignite Exploration, Nidhi-EIR Program, Tide 2.0 EIR Program and HPCED Sustenance Allowance Young Innovator Fellow, among others.

What sectors does IIT Mandi Catalyst support?

IIT Mandi Catalyst works with startups in HealthTech, EdTech, AgriTech, FinTech, BioTech and CleanTech and other sectors.

What stage of startup does IIT Mandi Catalyst support?

IIT Mandi Catalyst supports startups at the Ideation, Validation and Early Revenue stages.

What facilities does IIT Mandi Catalyst offer?

IIT Mandi Catalyst offers incubation center, coworking spaces, Prayas Shala lab for hardware prototyping, Co-work Space, BioNEST Laboratory and prototyping facilities.

Is IIT Mandi Catalyst government recognised?

IIT Mandi Catalyst holds the following recognitions and affiliations: Technology Business Incubator, DST Seed Support System, EIC designation under the Atal Innovation Mission, MeitY RISE and GENESIS programs, BIRAC BioNEST bio-incubation support and BioNEST Centre.

When was IIT Mandi Catalyst founded?

IIT Mandi Catalyst was founded in 2016. It operates as an academic.