MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0
A programme by AIC-BIMTECH
The MSME ministry's national idea competition, which the centre points founders towards; applications are closed.
At a glance
| Best for | Indian innovators, students and MSMEs with an idea |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Ministry of MSME, Government of India |
About MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0
The Ministry of MSME's Idea Hackathon is a national competition that funds ideas and puts them into incubation through approved host institutes. AIC-BIMTECH describes its own role here as an ecosystem enabler rather than an approved host institute, and points applicants at the ministry's portal to pick one. Registration for this edition is closed and the entries are with the ministry.
What you get
- Financial assistance per approved idea
- Prototype development support
- Incubation and mentoring through an approved host institute
- Access to startup ecosystem networks
Who can apply
- Indian citizens aged 18 to 60
- Students, innovators, startups and entrepreneurs, applying under one of three categories: MSME, student, or others
- Students need a valid student ID for the current financial year, and everyone needs government-issued identity proof
- Themes named are low-carbon and sustainable technologies, cyber defence and surveillance, Industry 4.0 and 5.0 for MSMEs, coastal and hilly area sustainability, and smart and resilient supply chains
How to apply: through the ministry's national innovation portal, selecting a host institute and a category, then submitting your idea.
Where to apply
Other AIC-BIMTECH programmes
- KhojA virtual pre-incubation programme for people with an idea, and the entry point to everything else the centre runs.
- PrarambhThe incubation step after Khoj, for startups that complete it — though the centre has not published a real description of it.
- GurukulThe accelerator for startups already earning revenue, focused on sales, operations and market expansion.
- UdaanA fundraising programme that puts founders in front of venture capital funds rather than teaching them.
- MeitY GENESIS — Entrepreneur in ResidenceThe electronics ministry's programme for early-stage founders outside the metros, delivered here as an entrepreneur-in-residence track.
- GENESIS Pilot FundingFunding for startups that already hold a pilot order from a corporate or public-sector buyer and need to deliver it.
- GENESIS Matching FundMatching investment, on a one-to-one basis, for Tier-II and Tier-III startups that have already raised from institutional investors.
- SAMRIDHMeitY's six-month accelerator for growth-stage technology startups, with matching investment alongside the centre's own investor network.
- Startup India Seed Fund SchemeThe national seed fund scheme, which AIC-BIMTECH was selected to disburse in 2021; its own window is currently closed.
- StartInUPUttar Pradesh's state startup scheme, applied for on the state portal with AIC-BIMTECH named as your incubation partner — the one route shown as open.
- Stanford Seed SparkA paid, fully online entrepreneurship course from Stanford Seed that AIC-BIMTECH runs locally and screens applicants for.