Atal Incubation Centre

NIDHI-EIR is a fellowship that gives enterprising individuals support to pursue a technology business idea without the risk of leaving work in one step. The programme page says applications for the next cohort are opening soon.

What you get

• Grant support over 12 months, given as a monthly fellowship.
• Access to the AIC ISB Makerspace for product development, prototyping and testing.
• Mentoring from the ISB startup and alumni network.
• Co-working space and networking events with investors and industry experts.

Who can apply

• Indian citizens who have finished an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in science or engineering.
• Applicants in their final year of study are not eligible.
• Full-time commitment to the venture. The fellowship is not meant as academic support or a bridge between jobs.

How selection works: preference goes to technology-focused ideas with real technical uncertainty, ideas based on publicly funded research, and ideas with social impact. Ideas that lack substantial technological innovation are discouraged.

How to apply: watch the programme page for the cohort call. Applicants need a formal business plan, a business presentation and an investment proposal.

The GENESIS Entrepreneur in Residence programme supports early-stage innovators and startups from Tier-II and Tier-III cities working in electronics, IT, ICT and DeepTech. AIC ISB is an empanelled GENESIS incubator, so selected residents are incubated on the ISB Mohali campus for the length of their tenure. The programme page lists the Cohort 3 application window as closing on September 03, 2026, while the programme index shows this cohort as closed. Check the MeitY Startup Hub portal for the next call.

What you get

• A grant for each selected EIR, paid in two tranches. Tranche release depends on onboarding, milestones and approval.
• An anchor mentor for the tenure.
• Access to the Makerspace for prototyping and testing.
• Co-working space, capacity building and networking.

Who can apply

• Indian citizens, with early-stage innovators and founders of startups incorporated within two years where registered.
• A startup based in a Tier-II or Tier-III city.
• Innovation at TRL-1 to TRL-4, in electronics, IT, ICT or DeepTech.
• No prior support under GENESIS EIR or an overlapping MeitY scheme.

How selection works: applications are scored out of 100 across eight parameters. AIC ISB shortlists in Round 1, and shortlisted startups pitch to an evaluation committee in Round 2.

How to apply: apply on the MeitY Startup Hub portal and select AIC ISB Association as Preference 1 from the empanelled GENESIS incubator list.

GENESIS Pilot supports startups from Tier-II and Tier-III cities to validate market-ready products through real pilot projects with corporates, PSUs and large enterprises. AIC ISB is the implementing agency. The programme page shows an application deadline of October 30, 2026.

What you get

• Funding support against an eligible pilot purchase order or work order, based on the verified cost of delivering the pilot.
• Equity is allotted to the implementing agency on behalf of MSH. Disbursement can take four to five months from the call.
• One-on-one mentoring, a need assessment and a 6 to 12 month scale-up roadmap.
• Introductions to corporates, PSUs and investors, and access to prototyping labs.

Who can apply

• DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated in a Tier-II or Tier-III city, one to five years old, with Indian founders holding at least 51 percent.
• An MVP or working prototype and at least one full-time founder.
• A pilot purchase order or work order from an independent pilot partner.

How to apply: use the Apply Now link on the programme page before the deadline.

The GENESIS Matching Fund matches funds a startup has raised from institutional investors with a government contribution. Only money that has reached the company's bank account from institutional investors counts. Government grants do not count toward the match. The page shows a last day to apply of October 30, 2025, so treat this call as closed until the page is updated.

What you get

• A 1:1 matching contribution, up to the stated limit on the programme page, based on external funds raised.
• Mentorship, networks and resources from AIC ISB.

Who can apply

• A registered Indian private limited company with at least 51 percent Indian ownership.
• Registered in a Tier-II or Tier-III city, with a valid DPIIT certificate.
• A market-ready tech product, preferably with revenue. Granted patents are preferred.
• Equity-instrument funding only. Startups supported under TIDE 2.0 (Scale-up) or Samridh are excluded.

How to apply: use the Apply Now link on the programme page, or write to contact@aicisb.org.

The NIDHI Accelerator is an umbrella programme of the Department of Science and Technology. AIC ISB is an implementation partner and runs an agriculture edition. The programme page describes its timeline as a call that ran from July to August 2025, with a first cohort running from September to December 2025. Treat this cohort as past until a new call is posted.

What you get

• Grant support for the top three startups.
• Dedicated mentorship, capacity building and revenue acceleration support.
• Opportunities to run a pilot, industry connects, fundraising support and tools.

Who can apply

• Startups at least one year from incorporation.
• Early-revenue ventures with scalability potential.
• Focus areas include precision agriculture, regenerative agriculture, agri supply chains, post-harvest value addition, agri data, robotics and agri-fintech.

How to apply: the page carries an Apply Now link. For questions, write to contact@aicisb.org.