Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP)
A programme by Ahmedabad University
Gujarat's student innovation grant, open to any student, alumnus or dropout in the state up to age 35 — not only Ahmedabad University students.
At a glance
| Best for | Student innovators anywhere in Gujarat, including alumni and dropouts, up to 35 years old |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | Prototype must be finished within 12 months of the money being released |
| Format | In person |
| Cost | Free, no equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Government of Gujarat |
About Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP)
The state's student innovation scheme, which VentureStudio uses mainly for idea validation and prototype building. It is worth being clear that this is a Gujarat-wide scheme: you do not need to study at Ahmedabad University to apply.
What you get
- A grant to turn an idea into a working prototype or minimum viable product
- Access to the coworking spaces, fabrication shop and bio-lab
- Expert help with prototype development, technical validation and testing
Who can apply
- Any person in Gujarat up to 35 years old who is a school student up to Class 12, a diploma, vocational, undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral student, an alumnus, or a dropout from a school, institute or university
- The innovation must improve a product, process or service, or be a scalable business model with potential to create jobs or wealth
- Not for doctoral or other long-term research projects, and not for professors or academics who teach
- Not for software development, e-commerce, service or app-based projects
- Not for anyone who already received prototyping support from another scheme for the same concept
How selection works: money is released in two or three instalments against agreed milestones, with quarterly progress reports, a final report and a chartered accountant's utilisation certificate. The intellectual property stays with you.
How to apply: through the application link on the scheme page. Questions go to vs@ahduni.edu.in.
Where to apply
Other Ahmedabad University programmes
- NIDHI Seed Support Programme (NIDHI-SSP)Seed investment for startups that have an MVP and want to reach the market, backed by the Department of Science and Technology.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)The national seed fund, applied for on the Startup India portal with Ahmedabad University Support Foundation named as your preferred incubator.
- Government of Gujarat Startup SchemeState grant support for Gujarat-based founders and companies, with VentureStudio acting as an approved nodal institute.
- NIDHI-PRAYASPre-incubation prototyping grant for hardware innovators, currently closed — VentureStudio says it is not accepting applications.
- NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (NIDHI-EIR)A monthly fellowship letting a founder work full time on a technology idea — currently closed to applications at VentureStudio.
- Custom student programmes and campus visitsWorkshops, innovation sprints, fellowships and group visits co-designed with colleges, student groups and ecosystem partners.