Orbit — AIC T-Hub SpaceTech Incubation Program
By T-Hub
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Quick Answer
24-week paid SpaceTech incubation at AIC T-Hub with mentorship from ex-ISRO scientists and global market access.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Support
- Provider
- T-Hub
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
- Registrations needed
- Private Limited company registration
About this grant
Orbit is AIC T-Hub's dedicated SpaceTech incubation programme, run from the T-Hub campus in Hyderabad. It is one of India's first sector-specific SpaceTech incubators and is built around taking early-stage startups from idea or PoC through to commercialization across satellite technology, spacecraft, orbital launch vehicles, space communication, space materials, space tourism, and uplink/downlink infrastructure.
The 24-week structured curriculum runs in three phases: Assess (weeks 1–4) covering company structure, idea validation sprints, founder mindset, milestone identification, and business model; Learn (weeks 5–20) with one-to-many talks on government initiatives, the global space market, low-cost manufacturing, and workshops on India space policy, legal and compliance basics, financial modelling, GTM for space, and brand and marketing, alongside weekly 1:1 problem-solving and monthly milestone tracking; and Deliver (weeks 20–24) with funding readiness checks, exclusive 1:1 investor pitches, deck reviews, and knowledge visits to Skyroot Aerospace and ISRO labs.
The programme is paid: founders pay a programme fee of ₹50,000 plus GST. Orbit does not write a direct cheque, but provides structured access to grants, angel investors, venture capital, working capital, and debt financing through AIC T-Hub's institutional and ecosystem partners. Selected startups also get access to over 290 mentors, 200+ MNCs and corporates, 100+ investors and angels, 46+ international partners, and the broader T-Hub, AIC T-Hub, and AIM network. International engagement spans space-tech ecosystems in Australia, France, and the USA.
Past cohorts have produced 23 incubated startups, ₹30.55 crore in funding raised across portfolio, 100+ market connects, and notable alumni such as SpanTrik, Onnes Cryogenics, Taramandal, STEM & Space, and Nalwa Aero. Mentors include Radha Krishna Kavuluru (ex-ISRO), Dr. Seshagiri Rao (former Distinguished Scientist & AD SDSD, ISRO), Sanjay Nekkati (CEO, Dhruva Space), and Pavan Kumar (CEO, Skyroot).
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
T-Hub is a startup hub in Hyderabad, Telangana, run by T-Hub Foundation. It was set up in 2015 as a not-for-profit, and it began as a public–private partnership between the Government of Telangana, IIIT Hyderabad, the Indian School of Business (ISB) and NALSAR University of Law.…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Support
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Orbit does not provide a direct cheque from AIC T-Hub. Selected startups get structured access to grants, angel investors, venture capital, working capital, and debt financing through AIC T-Hub's institutional and ecosystem partners, alongside funding readiness reviews and exclusive 1:1 investor pitches in the Deliver phase. The headline benefit is the ecosystem and curriculum, not a fixed grant amount.
- Duration
- 6 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Startups submit an online application on the AIC T-Hub Zoho portal with team details, technology stage, and PoC or pilot evidence. Shortlisted startups go through AIC T-Hub's evaluation before progressing to further discussion. Selected startups join the incubation program with access to T-Hub's space-tech ecosystem and IIT Hyderabad research infrastructure.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a programme fee?
Yes. The total programme fee is ₹50,000 plus GST, payable after selection.
Does AIC T-Hub provide direct funding?
Orbit does not write a direct cheque. Instead it provides structured access to grants, angel investors, venture capital, working capital, and debt financing through AIC T-Hub's institutional and ecosystem partners.
Who can apply?
Early-stage spacetech startups (idea-to-early revenue) that are incorporated and registered in India, ideally at TRL 3 or above. PoC or pilot work is preferred but not mandatory.
How long is the programme?
24 weeks, structured as Assess (weeks 1–4), Learn (weeks 5–20), and Deliver (weeks 20–24), ending with funding readiness, investor pitches, and knowledge visits to Skyroot and ISRO labs.
Is the programme rolling or cohort-based?
Cohort-based with rolling intake — there is no fixed annual deadline currently published. Apply through the AIC T-Hub Zoho form to be considered for the next cohort.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
