Incubation at BIT-TBI

BIT-TBI takes in ideas on a rolling basis and moves selected ones from proof of concept to prototype, validation and market entry. It is the incubator's only standing programme: its other menu items (design colloquium, business idea, food processing) have no content behind them.

What you get

• A dedicated cubicle and co-working space for physical tenants, or virtual incubation
• Mentoring, networking and capacity building
• Help with intellectual property, startup registration, regulatory certification and export readiness
• Help finding government grant schemes
• Use of analytical and biotechnology equipment, charged per use
• In a few cases, access to one of the incubator's own proven technologies to build a business on

Who can apply

• Any individual or group with an idea: BIT students, alumni, students from other institutions and the general public
• Existing firms that want to incubate a spin-off idea
• No incorporation needed to propose an idea; give a company certificate if you have one
• Ideas that use local natural resources or help rural communities get preference

How selection works: an idea screening committee of the incubator's principal scientist, its manager, a technical expert and a business expert reviews each idea, with an informal interview and a look at feasibility and marketability. Shortlisted finalists from the idea fest and idea fair events are a main source of incubatees.

How to apply: use the Apply Now form on the incubator's website, or write to bit-tbi@bitsathy.ac.in. Registered tenants then sign an agreement with the incubator. No deadline is published.

Cost and exit: there is a one-time registration fee, quarterly rent for a physical cubicle, and charges for equipment use. Tenants leave after 24 months (three years for biotechnology, agriculture and manufacturing), or earlier if they cross set limits on sales, profit, investment raised or headcount.