Government funding schemes FITT implements
A programme by FITT, IIT Delhi (Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer)
FITT is the implementing agency at IIT Delhi for central-government startup schemes across DST, BIRAC, MeitY, Startup India, MSME and defence.
At a glance
| Best for | Startups that match a central-government scheme's rules, especially incubated ones |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Early revenue |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Department of Science & Technology, BIRAC, MeitY, Startup India, Ministry of MSME, iDEX |
About Government funding schemes FITT implements
FITT runs a standing menu of central-government schemes and opens them as dated calls through the year. Which are live changes, so check the current call rather than the list.
What you get
- NIDHI-SSS, the Department of Science & Technology's seed support scheme for knowledge-based and technology-driven startups
- The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation
- MeitY's TIDE 2.0, for technology startups using emerging technologies in areas of national concern, and SAMRIDH, for startups that already have a working solution and proof of concept
- BIRAC's BIG, LEAP, SEED and SPARSH routes for biotech and affordable healthcare innovation
- The iDEX DIO route for defence and aerospace innovators
- The MSME Idea Hackathon, open to students, innovators and MSMEs
Who can apply
- Eligibility follows each scheme's own rules
- Companies already in FITT's incubation centre may apply to the programmes it offers, subject to due diligence
How to apply: Watch for the scheme's own call. FITT's team helps incubated companies work out which scheme suits their focus area and product stage.
Where to apply
Other FITT programmes
- Incubation at IIT Delhi (TBIU)FITT's standing incubation programme at IIT Delhi, giving technology startups subsidised campus space, a faculty technical mentor and access to prototyping labs for two years.
- BioNEST bio-incubationFITT's biotechnology incubation facility at IIT Delhi, run under BIRAC's BioNEST scheme, with bench space for up to fourteen teams at a time.
- Funding support at FITTFITT backs deep-tech startups directly with grants, debt and equity, and is often the first investor on the cap table.
- UNNATI AI 2.0 — Unnati se PragatiFITT's AI programme with Microsoft's CSR arm, backing AI startups and innovators with capacity building and real-world pilots.
- BUILD — Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development ProgramAn aerospace innovation and leadership programme FITT runs with Boeing for graduating students and early founders.
- Sona Comstar IIT Delhi Innovation Program (SCIDIP)A mobility-focused programme FITT runs with Sona Comstar for startups building smart, safe and clean transport solutions.
- IGNITE — Fueling DeepTechA deep-tech and clean-tech programme FITT runs with IDFC FIRST Bank for founders in both large and smaller Indian cities.
- Healthier India ProgramA challenge-driven health programme anchored by FITT with the Atal Innovation Mission, aimed at cardiometabolic disease.
- NatWest FinTech Frontier ProgramA fintech programme with NatWest Group that puts IIT faculty and late-stage startups onto live banking challenges.
- Maruti Suzuki Quest for Clean AirA clean-air technology programme FITT runs with Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
- Kotak BizLabsA Kotak-backed programme for startups working on societal and industry challenges.
- Samsung Solve for TomorrowA STEM and design-thinking competition FITT hosts with Samsung for young people aged 16 to 22.
- Pfizer-IIT Delhi Innovation and IP Program (PIIIP)A healthcare innovation and IP programme FITT has run with Pfizer Limited since a 2015 collaboration agreement.
- SPARKFITT's own early-stage programme for aspiring entrepreneurs turning an idea into a business.
- Mentorship programmeFITT matches startups with industry mentors by domain, then runs one-on-one sessions alongside masterclasses and workshops.