SPTBI

The incubation programme gives technology founders a platform to build technology-based businesses. It offers infrastructure, office space, consultation, mentorship, business plan help, growth support, product prototyping and seed funding.

What you get

• A plug-and-play dedicated office and access to the tech lab
• Access to Prayas Shala, the startup toolkit, and events and webinars
• Access to the talent pool and mentors

Who can apply

• Startups from the science and technology sector
• Registered startups less than 10 years old
• Startups at ideation, prototype, traction or scaling stage

How selection works: Screening of the application, then a telephonic or in-person founder interview, then a final decision by the steering committee.

How to apply: Use the application form linked from the programme page.

This programme supports students and faculty who want to start a company. Students from the Bhavans campus and partner colleges can use SP-TBI's resources and services to build a full-fledged startup, with discounted incubation.

What you get

• Discounted incubation
• The same facilities as the incubation programme

Who can apply

• One co-founder must be a student, with valid proof
• Startups from the science and technology sector
• Registered startups less than 7 years old

How selection works: The same three-stage process as the incubation programme.

How to apply: Use the application form linked from the programme page.

NIDHI PRAYAS is a prototype grant under the national NIDHI umbrella. It funds the step from an idea to a physical product prototype with commercial potential. Software, e-commerce, service and app-based ideas are not eligible.

What you get

• A prototype grant
• Mentorship, networking and startup events
• Co-working space and access to labs, including IoT, AR-VR, robotics, electronics and mechanics labs
• Support with talent acquisition

Who can apply

• Individual innovators or early-stage startups
• Indian citizens aged 18 or over, with technical skills or background
• A physical prototype with a roadmap to commercialisation, completed within 18 months
• Startups no more than 7 years old from incorporation, within the turnover limit the page states

How to apply: The programme page invites applications from students, graduates, professionals and startups. It gives no application link or intake date.

The NIDHI Seed Support Program is an initiative of the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, under the Department of Science and Technology. It gives financial assistance to early-stage technology startups for product trials, market entry and commercialisation, and it is routed through incubators such as SP-TBI.

Broad areas covered include product development, IPR support, test marketing, testing and trials, professional services and day-to-day manpower.

Who can apply

• A company registered in India, preferably DPIIT registered or applied
• At least 3 months of association with the incubator in its resident or virtual programme
• A clear unique selling point, validated with customers
• Not an Indian subsidiary of a multinational or foreign company
• Indian promoters holding at least 51%
• Preference for startups that have not taken Government of India or state funding

How to apply: Applications run through the incubator. The programme page gives no separate application link or intake date.

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme gives early-stage startups seed funding for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation. Its benefits are a prototype grant and an investment in convertible debentures or debt-linked instruments.

What you get

• A prototype grant for validation, prototype development or product trials
• An investment for market entry, commercialisation or scaling up
• Access to the incubator's facilities and mentors

Who can apply

• DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated not more than 2 years before applying
• Technology built into the core product, service, business model, distribution or method
• Indian promoters holding at least 51% at application
• Prior government assistance within the scheme's stated limit
• Startups receive seed support only once

How to apply: Use the apply link on the programme page, which goes to the government seed fund portal.