Incubation
A programme by Deshpande Startups
A twelve-month, sector-agnostic programme for startups past the prototyping stage, run on the Hubballi campus.
At a glance
| Best for | Startups with an MVP or initial traction, past the prototyping stage |
|---|---|
| Stage | Prototype – MVP |
| Duration | 12 months, plus alumni benefits for a further 2 years |
| Format | In person |
| Cost | Takes equity |
| Run with | Deshpande Foundation, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Notion, Dell, Mathworks |
About Incubation
Deshpande Startups calls this its lab-to-market programme. It runs for twelve months and is sector agnostic, and founders keep alumni benefits and ecosystem access for two years after it ends. The programme takes 2 per cent equity.
What you get
- Guidance and resources for startups past the prototyping stage
- Technical and business services, mentoring and research assistance
- Specialised labs, prototyping and batch production facilities
- Founder-focused one-to-one mentorship
- Fundraising support and investor introductions
- Networking events and dialogues
- Access to the rural network through the Deshpande Foundation, and to partner tools from Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Notion, Dell and Mathworks
Who can apply
- Startups past the prototyping stage, with an MVP or early traction
- Founders building for the non-metro Indian market
How selection works: you apply to the pitching contest and send your business deck. A committee of experts evaluates and shortlists. Shortlisted startups pitch their business plan virtually to a panel, results are announced shortly after, and selected startups are onboarded.
How to apply: fill in the application form on the programme page, then email your deck to incubation@dfmail.org. The page invites expressions of interest at any time.
Where to apply
Other Deshpande Startups programmes
- AccelerationA sixteen-week cohort programme for early-revenue, market-ready startups, focused on growth, distribution and investment readiness.
- YUVA ValidateA free five-week hybrid programme that helps student founders test whether their startup idea is worth building.
- Grind2GrowthA six-month entrepreneurship development programme for early-stage founders from North Karnataka.
- NIDHI EIRA Department of Science and Technology fellowship that pays a monthly stipend so a technical founder can work on their venture full time. Between intakes.
- NIDHI PRAYASA prototyping grant with lab access, for turning an idea or proof of concept into a working prototype.
- MeitY GENESIS EiRMeitY Startup Hub's entrepreneur-in-residence track, with grant support and on-campus incubation for early technology innovators from smaller cities.
- MeitY GENESIS PilotEquity-based funding to run a paid pilot with a large corporate, PSU or unicorn. Between intakes.
- MeitY Matching Fund (GENESIS Investment 2.0)A one-for-one matching investment against private capital a startup has already received, plus a structured acceleration programme.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)Seed funding from the national scheme, disbursed to selected startups through Deshpande Startups as an approved incubator. Between intakes.
- Bridge2Bharat HubballiA soft-landing package for growth-stage startups opening operations in Hubballi.
- Infinity Innovation LabsFour hardware labs on the Hubballi campus - mechanical, PCB assembly, 3D printing and electronics - open to startups and small manufacturers.