Bhau Institute of Innovation

AMRUT-BHAU is a fellowship for graduates from the targeted groups among the economically weaker sections of the open category in Maharashtra. Fellows get mentoring, office space and a monthly fellowship grant for up to a year, released against monthly progress reports.

What you get

• A monthly fellowship grant for 12 months
• End to end mentoring from idea validation to business plan drafting
• Office space for building the product
• Guidance on higher-TRL government grants and on the funding network

Who can apply

• Domicile of Maharashtra and age not more than 45
• A graduate with a minimum three-year degree
• Your own innovation idea that can become a scalable technology business within a year
• Full-time commitment, with no parallel income source

How to apply: Use the Apply Now link on the programme page, which goes to the state AMRUT portal. A sample form and a pitch deck template are on the page.

SARTHI-BHAU is a fellowship for graduates from the Maratha, Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha communities in Maharashtra. It offers the same mentoring and office support as the institute's other fellowships, plus a monthly fellowship grant for 12 months.

What you get

• A monthly fellowship grant for 12 months
• Mentoring from idea validation to business plan drafting
• Office space for developing the product
• Guidance on government grants and on the wider funding network

Who can apply

• Domicile of Maharashtra and a graduate
• Membership of one of the named communities
• Your own innovation idea that can become a scalable technology business within a year
• Full-time commitment, with no parallel income source

How to apply: Use the Apply Now link on the programme page. A sample form is on the page.

The MahaJyoti-Bhau Incubation Program supports aspiring entrepreneurs from the OBC, VJ, NT and SBC categories in Maharashtra who hold a valid Non-Creamy Layer Certificate. MahaJyoti provides financial assistance for prototype development and startup growth, and COEP's Bhau Institute provides mentoring and incubation support. A maximum of 10 innovators are selected.

Who can apply

• Maharashtra residence and a valid Non-Creamy Layer Certificate
• A technology-based innovative business idea
• Full-time commitment for the year

How to apply: The application window closed on 20 July 2026. Watch the institute's site for the next call.

NIDHI-PRAYAS is part of the national NIDHI initiative of the Department of Science and Technology. It selects individual innovators, or teams with a lead applicant, to build a prototype. Selected innovators get access to a prototyping lab, mentoring, technology guidance and peer networking, and must register for pre-incubation or incubation at the institute for the whole programme.

Who can apply

• Indian citizens aged 18 or over
• Preference to bootstrapped innovators, women and young innovators
• Software development and pure academic research are not eligible

How to apply: Check the NIDHI-PRAYAS site for the current call. An employer or academic NOC is needed where you work or study.

NIDHI-EIR is the national entrepreneur-in-residence fellowship, run at the institute. It gives fellows a monthly grant for 12 to 18 months, with mentoring and office space, and fellows are asked to report to the institute every Thursday.

Who can apply

• Indian citizens with a qualifying science or engineering degree, or a diploma or degree with work experience
• Preference to women entrepreneurs and innovators under 35
• Software and SaaS projects are not considered

How to apply: Applications are closed. The guidelines are on the programme page.

NIDHI-SSP provides seed support to startups that are already incubated at the institute, in return for equity. Funds go to product development, testing, test marketing, mentoring and similar early needs. The institute's seed committee and investment committee review applications.

Who can apply

• A registered Indian private limited company that has been with the institute for at least three months
• Indian promoters holding at least 51 percent
• A dedicated team and a formal business plan

How to apply: The call for applications is closed.

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme is a central government scheme that gives seed support to DPIIT-recognised startups, paid through eligible incubators. The institute is one of those incubators, and its page explains the scheme and points applicants to the national portal.

Who can apply

• A DPIIT-recognised startup incorporated not more than 2 years before applying
• Technology used in the core product, service, business model or methodology
• Indian promoters holding at least 51 percent
• No more than a set limit of prior central or state support

How to apply: Apply through the national Seed Fund portal linked from the programme page, and contact the institute's programme inbox for help.

The institute's incubation runs in four models. Pre-incubation takes an idea from validation to a detailed business plan. Virtual incubation suits founders who cannot move to Pune, with an in-person review once every 2 months. Physical incubation is selective and intensive. Incubation Lite gives early-stage founders the facilities at a nominal fee while they validate a plan.

What you get

• Mentoring on business, strategy, technology and intellectual property
• Shared offices, meeting rooms, software, machine tools and COEP labs
• Access to third-party legal, marketing, accounting and patenting services
• Introductions to angel, venture and corporate partners

How selection works: Apply on the website, get shortlisted, then pitch your first idea at a selection session before the programme starts.

How to apply: Submit the application form on bhau.org. There is no registration fee to apply.

The Siemens-Bhau Entrepreneurship Promotion Program lets young entrepreneurs use Bhau and Siemens resources to build and incubate products. The page says applications have closed and were being assessed for an elevator pitch day.

How to apply: Applications are closed.