AMRUT-Bhau Incubation Program
A programme by Bhau Institute, COEP
A twelve-month fellowship for Maharashtra graduates from the economically weaker section of the open category.
At a glance
| Best for | Maharashtra graduates from the open category's economically weaker section |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | 12 months against milestones and monthly progress reports |
| Format | In person |
| Cost | Free |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | AMRUT |
About AMRUT-Bhau Incubation Program
AMRUT-Bhau is the equivalent fellowship for graduates from the economically weaker section of the open category — the castes that get no benefit from any separate government department, institution, corporation or organization in Maharashtra. Its page says the call is open. It runs for twelve months against milestones and monthly progress reports, focused on IoT and AI using IoT, foodtech, agriculture, agri-tech, EV and smart mobility, and renewable energy.
What you get
- A monthly fellowship grant for the year
- Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs on the concept, strategy and industry
- End-to-end mentoring from idea validation to business plan drafting
- Office space to develop the idea into a marketable product
- Help applying for government grants at a higher technology readiness level, and introductions into the funding and ecosystem network
Who can apply
- Domiciled in Maharashtra, aged 45 or under at the time of applying
- Graduated from a degree programme of at least three years
- Holding your own innovation idea that you can turn into a scalable technology business model within a year
- Working full time on the startup with no parallel income source
- Willing to attend every AMRUT and Bhau Institute event
How to apply: download the sample form and pitch deck template from the programme page, then apply through the AMRUT scheme portal linked there.
Where to apply
Other Bhau Institute, COEP programmes
- Pre-IncubationAn entry track for students and first-time founders who are still working out whether their idea holds up.
- Physical IncubationThe selective, intensive on-site incubation track with structured training, targeted mentoring and funding support.
- Virtual IncubationIncubation for startups that cannot take, or do not want, space in the building.
- Corporate IncubationCustom programmes where a company uses Bhau as its external innovation and startup-creation arm, including a CSR route.
- NIDHI PRAYASA prototyping grant for individual innovators turning a new idea into a working prototype, run under the Department of Science & Technology's NIDHI umbrella.
- NIDHI EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence)A fellowship that lets a graduate or experienced professional work full time on a technology business idea instead of taking a job. Between intakes — the last call is closed.
- NIDHI Seed SupportEquity investment for startups already incubated at Bhau that need capital to bridge development and commercialization. Between intakes — the last call is closed.
- Startup India Seed Fund SchemeNational seed funding for proof of concept, prototype, product trials, market entry and commercialization, disbursed through Bhau as an implementing incubator.
- SARTHI-Bhau Incubation ProgramA twelve-month fellowship for Maharashtra graduates from the Maratha, Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha communities building a technology business.
- MahaJyoti-Bhau Incubation ProgramA one-year programme for OBC, VJ, NT and SBC entrepreneurs in Maharashtra with a technology-based idea. The last intake has closed.
- Siemens Bhau Entrepreneurship Promotion ProgramA corporate incubation programme run with Siemens. Applications are closed.