Physical Incubation
A programme by Bhau Institute, COEP
The selective, intensive on-site incubation track with structured training, targeted mentoring and funding support.
At a glance
| Best for | Startups ready for a full-time, on-site incubation programme |
|---|---|
| Stage | Prototype – Early revenue |
| Format | In person |
| Cost | No equity |
About Physical Incubation
Physical Incubation is Bhau's main resident programme. It is described as selective and intensive, with the institute backing startups on their potential impact and giving special consideration to IoT, healthcare technologies, cyber security and grassroots innovation.
What you get
- Structured training and targeted mentoring
- Access to negotiated third-party service providers for legal, marketing, patenting, web design, accounting and finance
- Funding support and hands-on guidance
- A network of co-founders, mentors, investors and service providers for the incubation period
- Use of the institute's labs, maker's lab and shared spaces, and access to COEP's departmental laboratories
Who can apply
- Any founder with a business idea; nothing restricts this to COEP students or alumni
- Already-funded startups with a valuation, on different terms
- Mid-career professionals working in industry who want to pursue an idea
How selection works: reviewers weigh commercial viability, how innovative the technology is, whether it can be patented, market opportunity, scalability, how distinctive the proposition is, and team strength.
How to apply: submit the application form on the institute's website, then attend a first idea pitch if shortlisted.
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.
- 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.
- AMRUT-Bhau Incubation ProgramA twelve-month fellowship for Maharashtra graduates from the economically weaker section of the open category.
- 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.