SARTHI-BHAU Incubation Scheme
A programme by Bhau Institute of Innovation
A 12-month fellowship for Maharashtra graduates from the Maratha and Kunbi communities who turn a technology idea into a startup.
At a glance
| Best for | Maharashtra graduates from the Maratha and Kunbi communities with a technology business idea |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months |
| Format | In person |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
About SARTHI-BHAU Incubation Scheme
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.
Where to apply
Other Bhau Institute of Innovation programmes
- AMRUT-BHAU Incubation ProgramA 12-month fellowship for Maharashtra graduates from the targeted groups who turn a technology idea into a startup.
- MahaJyoti-Bhau Incubation ProgramA one-year programme with prototype funding and institute mentoring for OBC, VJ, NT and SBC innovators in Maharashtra. Applications closed on 20 July 2026.
- NIDHI-PRAYASA prototyping grant for young innovators turning an idea into a working prototype, run under the national NIDHI programme.
- NIDHI-EIR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence)A 12 to 18 month entrepreneur-in-residence fellowship with monthly support for science and engineering graduates. Applications are closed.
- NIDHI-SSP Seed SupportSeed investment for incubated startups, taken as equity under the national NIDHI seed support scheme. The call is closed.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (via COEP's Bhau Institute)Government seed support for proof of concept, prototypes, product trials and market entry, disbursed through eligible incubators including the institute.
- Incubation programme (Pre-Incubation, Virtual, Physical and Incubation Lite)Four incubation models, from idea validation to physical incubation, with mentoring, shared facilities, third-party services and networks.
- Siemens-Bhau Entrepreneurship Promotion ProgramA corporate incubation programme with Siemens for startups in AI, AR and VR and machine learning. Applications are closed.