Defence Innovation Organisation
Defence Innovation Organisation
Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India
India's apex defence innovation body funding startups & MSMEs to build cutting-edge defence & aerospace tech.
DIO at a glance
| Full name | Defence Innovation Organisation |
|---|---|
| Part of | Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India |
| Established | 2018 |
| Address | New Delhi, Delhi, India |
| Programmes | 5 standing programmes |
| Official website | idex.gov.in |
Programs by Defence Innovation Organisation
8 past programs · Filter all programs
Programs Defence Innovation Organisation supports
Programs this organisation co-organises, run by others. · 1 open now · 0 past
Schemes implemented by Defence Innovation Organisation
1 scheme — each groups the funding calls run under it.
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at Defence Innovation Organisation, separate from the funding calls above.
iDEX Scheme
Grant schemeProvides funding up to ₹1.5 crores in the form of equity/other relevant structures to selected applicants.
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Applicants include Start-ups as defined by DIPP, MSMEs as defined in the MSME Act, 2006, and Individual Innovators. Applications are screened by a high-powered committee of defence and technology experts. Funds are disbursed in tranches based on milestones. Selected applicants may also receive entry to accelerator programs run by iDEX partners, support in technology and business development through mentorship, and access to defence testing facilities and experts. The program encourages spending on Research & Development, Prototyping, Pilot Implementation, and Market Assessment.
Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC)
CompetitionA series of challenges to address problem statements in key defence technology domains, offering grants up to Rs 1.50 crore.
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The 12th edition launched with 41 problem statements across domains including UAVs, AI, Networking, and Communication. The 13th edition featured seven challenges from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, focusing on Artificial Intelligence, military communication, and autonomous bots. The program also introduced the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative with nine challenges for medical technologies.
A scheme offering grants up to Rs 25 crore for critical technological areas crucial for strengthening the defence ecosystem.
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The 2nd edition launched with 19 problem statements from the Armed Forces and allied agencies in domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, military communication, anti-drone systems, and adaptive camouflage. The 3rd edition invited startups to design a High-Power Microwave Weapon System for the Indian Navy, advancing indigenous defence technologies and enhancing operational capabilities.
iDEX Investor Hub (iIH)
PlatformLaunched to accelerate investments in the Defence sector with a pledged investment of over Rs 200 Cr from 9 leading investors.
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The iDEX Investor Hub (iIH) was launched during Manthan at Aero-India 2023 to augment the growth of the startup ecosystem by facilitating investments in the Defence sector.
SPRINT
ProgrammeA specific initiative for naval challenges, with 50 contracts signed.
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iDEX signed its 50th SPRINT contract with Sagar Defence. The initiative includes review meetings for Navy SPRINT Cases and involves iDEX winners visiting Indian Naval Air Stations for data collection related to challenges like the DISC 7 (SPRINT) Challenge “Al-based Foreign Object Detection (FOD) System”.
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
About Defence Innovation Organisation
Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) – Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
The Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) is a not-for-profit Section 8 company under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. DIO was established to own, fund, and manage the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, publicly launched by Prime Minister Modi on 12 April 2018 at DefExpo in Chennai.
Mission
The core objective of iDEX-DIO is to build a self-sustaining innovation and technology development ecosystem for India's defence and aerospace sectors by engaging directly with startups, individual innovators, MSMEs, R&D institutions, and academia.
Programs
Defence Innovation Challenges (DICs): DIO regularly issues technology problem statements from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and DPSUs. Startups apply against specific challenges spanning AI, autonomous systems, communication, RADAR, cybersecurity, navigation, materials science, and unmanned systems.
iDEX Prime & ADITI: Scaled-up funding tracks for mature technologies requiring higher investment. The ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) scheme offers grants up to ₹25 crore for critical technology gaps.
SIDBI iDEX Seed Fund: A co-funding mechanism with SIDBI providing seed capital to early-stage defence-tech startups.
Defence Innovation Hubs: A network of partnering incubators (including PIEDS, FITT-IIT Delhi, IIITB Innovation Centre) serve as ground-level scouts and support centres.
Impact
Since its 2018 launch, iDEX has engaged hundreds of startups and innovators through multiple challenge rounds, with over 300 contracts signed and significant indigenisation of previously imported defence technologies. It has become a cornerstone of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat defence strategy.
Who Should Apply
Startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators building breakthrough technology solutions for India's defence and aerospace sectors. Areas of highest interest include AI/ML for defence applications, autonomous systems (drones, robots), secure communication, advanced materials, simulation, cybersecurity, and space tech. No prior defence sector experience required — technical innovation is the primary criterion.
Who they work with
Stage
Sectors
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Notable alumni
Frequently asked questions about Defence Innovation Organisation
What is the full form of DIO?
DIO stands for Defence Innovation Organisation.
What does Defence Innovation Organisation do?
The Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) is a not-for-profit Section 8 company under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
Where is Defence Innovation Organisation located?
Defence Innovation Organisation is based in New Delhi, Delhi, India.
What programs does Defence Innovation Organisation run?
Defence Innovation Organisation runs iDEX Scheme, Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC), ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) and iDEX Investor Hub (iIH), among others.
What sectors does Defence Innovation Organisation support?
Defence Innovation Organisation works with startups in Defence Tech, Aerospace, AI/ML, Autonomous Systems, Cybersecurity and Communication and other sectors.
What stage of startup does Defence Innovation Organisation support?
Defence Innovation Organisation supports startups at the Validation, Early Revenue and Growth stages.
When was Defence Innovation Organisation founded?
Defence Innovation Organisation was founded in 2018. It operates as a government.
Similar incubators
More organisations supporting startups in this region or sector. All startup incubators in Delhi
Ministry of Defence
Central government ministry running iDEX programmes (SPARK, iDEX Prime, ADITI) providing defence and aerospace startups with grants ranging from INR 1.5 crore to INR 25 crore.
Boeing India
Boeing's India arm running the BUILD program for aerospace, defence, and sustainability startups.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
Central government department driving India's biotech policy, funding, and startup ecosystem since 1986.
Defence Public Sector Undertakings
India's government-owned defence companies running the DRISHTI Challenges to integrate startup innovations into military systems
Engineers India Limited
Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, with an Open Innovation Challenge for industrial deeptech startups.
Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi
Delhi University's co-educational college with innovation programs for student entrepreneurs in North Delhi.
Recommended grants & schemes
Other open programmes matching Defence Innovation Organisation's focus areas.
