TIDE 2.0 (EIR and Grant tracks)
A programme by Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad
MeitY's TIDE 2.0 co-creation fellowship and a separate short grant track for early-stage deeptech startups.
At a glance
| Best for | Early-stage deeptech founders |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – MVP |
| Format | In person |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | MeitY TIDE 2.0 |
About TIDE 2.0 (EIR and Grant tracks)
TIDE 2.0 runs two related tracks at CIE. The EIR track mirrors the DST NIDHI EIR — an entrepreneur co-creates a deep tech product with IIIT-H labs and receives a seed grant and access to maker labs. The Grant track is a shorter, three-to-six month fellowship for early-stage deeptech startups already at prototype, MVP or pilot stage, aimed at validating a go-to-market plan and funding further prototype development.
Who can apply
EIR track: the same academic/work-experience criteria as DST NIDHI, working full-time. Grant track: startups working full-time on a solution in smart cities, mobility, medtech, road safety, translation or Industry 4.0, using AI/ML, computer vision, robotics or AR/VR, seeded from research where relevant.
How selection works: screening, then shortlisting interviews, then selection and onboarding.
How to apply: apply via CIE's TIDE 2.0 page.
Where to apply
Other Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad programmes
- Avishkar Venture Studio (Deeptech Accelerator)CIE's six-month deep tech accelerator for startups in AI, robotics, computer vision and related emerging technologies.
- OJAS-MedTech Acceleration ProgrammeA six-month accelerator for MedTech, life sciences, biotech, diagnostics and wellness startups.
- OJAS MedTech BioNEST IncubatorThe standing incubator behind OJAS, for companies building products at the intersection of technology and medicine.
- OJAS PEP ProgramA one-year fellowship for researchers and medical professionals moving into healthcare entrepreneurship.
- AIC-IIITH (Social Tech Incubator)An Atal Incubation Centre for tech-based social enterprises, run under CIE with its own leadership.
- FLO Incubator (Women Entrepreneurs)A two-part incubation track for women entrepreneurs, run with FICCI FLO Hyderabad.
- DST NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-ResidenceA co-creation fellowship for entrepreneurs with a deep tech idea to build it out using IIIT-H research labs.
- NIDHI-PRAYASA prototyping grant and Fab Lab access to move an idea to a working prototype.
- HDFC Bank Parivartan: AI for Social Good ChallengeA grant challenge for research-driven, social-impact deep tech startups, run with HDFC Bank; its most recent round closed in February 2025.
- Research Connect (Research Cafe, Rootnode, CV Labs, Deeptech CoWorkz)A set of lighter-touch tracks for structured access to IIIT-H faculty and research labs.
- Launch Pad, Propel and Virtual Incubation (desk plans)Monthly desk, cabin or fully remote incubation plans for startups that want space and mentoring without an accelerator cohort.
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