North East Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 (NESFIC 2026)
A programme by Department of Innovation, Incubation and Start-ups, Government of Assam
A national innovation challenge for solutions the North East can use, open to applicants from anywhere in India.
At a glance
| Best for | Innovators anywhere in India building for North East problems |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – MVP |
| Duration | Applications 25 Sep – 25 Oct 2026; build and demo phases run to mid-2027 |
| Format | Hybrid |
| Cost | No equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Department of Innovation, Incubation & Start-ups, Department of Education, Department of Science & Technology, Department of Information Technology, Department of Industries, Commerce & Public Enterprises |
About North East Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 (NESFIC 2026)
NESFIC 2026 is run under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and delivered through the Assam Innovation & Startup Foundation, with five state departments behind it. Applications are open, with a window running from 25 September to 25 October 2026. There are two ways in: Stream 1 responds to specific problem statements published by government departments and industry partners, and Stream 2 is an open innovation route across technology, non-technology innovation and social impact.
What you get
- Grant support for selected teams, at idea, prototype and deep-tech levels
- Mentorship and domain expertise
- Investor and industry access
- Incubation support and help building an MVP
- Procurement and market access routes, though selection does not guarantee a government contract or purchase order
Who can apply
- Startups, companies, LLPs, other registered entities, individual innovators, teams, researchers, professionals, and student teams from higher-education institutions
- Applicants from anywhere in India — the challenge states it is not restricted to applicants based in the North-East
- Individually or as a team of up to five, with one lead applicant responsible for the submission and any grant
- DPIIT recognition is not required
You may apply to more than one challenge, but an applicant can take idea-stage support for at most two challenges and one MVP award per edition.
How selection works: register, choose a challenge or bring your own solution, submit, then screening for eligibility and fit, expert evaluation, and a finale where shortlisted teams present. Applications are assessed on problem fit, innovation and merit, maturity, feasibility, impact, and the team and its presentation. Selected teams then build through a prototype phase to a demo day in February 2027 and an MVP phase after it.
How to apply: register on the challenge site under one of four routes — startup or innovator, higher-education applicant, mentor, or technology partner. Programme and application queries go to query.nesfic@assamstartup.org.
Where to apply
Other Department of Innovation, Incubation and Start-ups, Government of Assam programmes
- MASI — My Assam Startup IDAssam's startup recognition, and the gate to most state funding windows.
- Assam Startup: Call for Grant Applications 2026An open call for idea-stage and prototype or MVP-stage startups, closing 3 October 2026.
- Ideation GrantPre-incubation support for validating a concept, offered through college Entrepreneurship Development Cells.
- Prototype Development GrantFunds materials and product testing so a startup can build a minimum viable product.
- Assam Startup Seed FundA seed equity fund for startups with a tested product that need capital to grow.
- Startup Venture Capital FundGrowth capital for scaling startups, routed through the Assam Venture Capital Fund managed by SIDBI Venture Capital.
- Assam Startup Infrastructure & Incubation Program (ASIIP)Capital and operating support for partner incubation centres and college entrepreneurship cells — for institutions, not founders.
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