DST NIDHI-PRAYAS
A programme by ABIS-TBI, R ABI Centre, TNAU, Coimbatore
A prototype-funding centre with a fabrication lab for young and aspiring innovators who have an idea but no working product yet.
At a glance
| Best for | Students and innovators with an idea but no working product |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Format | In person |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | NSTEDB, Department of Science and Technology |
About DST NIDHI-PRAYAS
ABIS-TBI is one of the NIDHI-PRAYAS centres funded by the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board of the Department of Science and Technology, from 2023. It supports young and aspiring innovators with prototype funding to turn ideas into prototypes for products that could be commercialised, and it runs a fabrication lab called PRAYAS Shala.
What you get
- Prototype funding to convert an idea into a prototype
- Use of the PRAYAS Shala fabrication lab, with bookable slots
Who can apply
- Student entrepreneurs
- Problem solvers working on local impact
- Technology enthusiasts with an idea but no MVP
How to apply: The programme page shows only a button to book a fab lab slot. It states no application window for the prototype funding, so ask the incubator how to apply.
Where to apply
Other ABIS-TBI, R ABI Centre, TNAU, Coimbatore programmes
- R-ABI Startup Agribusiness Incubation Programme (SAIP)Seed-stage grant-in-aid for incubated agri startups that already have a minimum viable product, under the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme.
- R-ABI Agripreneurship Orientation Programme (AOP)A two-month training-cum-internship for aspiring agripreneurs, followed by pre-seed funding to turn an idea into a prototype or product.
- R-ABI Student Orientation Programme (SOP)A two-month training-cum-internship for students with exposure to startups at the incubator, followed by pre-seed funding.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme at ABIS-TBIABIS-TBI is an approved incubator under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme: it screens startups, disburses seed funds and tracks milestones.
- DST NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (NIDHI-EIR)A one-year fellowship for aspiring technology entrepreneurs, with mentorship and office and co-working space, hosted at ABIS-TBI since 2020–21.
- Spices Incubation CentreABIS-TBI is a Spices Incubation Centre funded by the Spices Board of India, with grant support for a small number of spice startups.
- TBI membershipPaid membership in four categories that gives access to office space, labs, intellectual property support, mentoring, training and market linkages.