My company is not registered yet. Can I still apply?

Yes. Founders can apply before incorporation. If selected, you must register the entity within 3 months of your selection date.

Will NERVE CoE take equity in my startup?

For high-impact deep tech startups, NERVE CoE follows an equity-based incubation model. The exact stake is discussed during selection and aligned with the level of support; there is no uniform percentage and it is negotiated case by case.

Is the 18-month support period extendable?

Yes. The standard support period is 18 months, extendable by up to 6 months based on requirement and availability of a physical/virtual incubation batch.

Do I have to be based in Nagpur?

The incubation facility is at STPI Nagpur and startups are expected to operate from the CoE during the programme. Any remote or hybrid arrangement is discussed at onboarding.

Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur – Up to ₹50 Lakhs

NERVE CoE is a MeitY-backed deep tech incubator bringing GPU infrastructure, seed funding, and hands-on mentoring to AI and DeepTech startups working in emerging sectors including HealthTech, AgriTech, Forestry, and Mining. This is an 18-month programme based at STPI Nagpur.

What you get:

GPU Infrastructure: Dedicated AI and GPU compute for training and deployment.
Expert Mentoring: Bootcamp-style sessions on product validation, unit economics, and investor readiness.
Seed Funding: Up to Rs. 50 lakhs in seed support, plus introductions to VCs and funding agencies.
Go-To-Market Support: Dedicated GTM workshops, enterprise introductions, and market-access opportunities.
IPR and Legal Support: Patent filing assistance, legal guidance, and accounting support.
Workspace: Access to a 10,000 sq. ft. incubation facility at STPI Nagpur.

Applications are reviewed on innovation, team strength, product readiness and market potential. Shortlisted startups pitch to the NERVE CoE jury, where equity terms are discussed openly. Selected startups then sign agreements and onboard to the cohort with access to workspace, GPU infrastructure and the mentor network.

Selected startups join an 18-month equity-based incubation programme at STPI Nagpur with seed funding of up to ₹50 lakh. NERVE CoE takes a nominal equity stake in exchange for the full support stack: dedicated GPU and AI compute, expert mentoring, go-to-market support, IPR & legal assistance, and a 10,000 sq. ft. incubation workspace. Startups also get warm introductions to VCs and funding agencies, enterprise GTM connects, and access to STPI's national ecosystem.

Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur

Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur

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