DST-GDC I-NCUBATE Program
A programme by GDC, IIT Madras
Free eight-week deep-tech bootcamp run with the Department of Science & Technology for research teams at TRL 3-5.
At a glance
| Best for | Deep-tech research teams and early-stage startups at TRL 3-5 from Indian universities, labs and incubators |
|---|---|
| Stage | Prototype – MVP |
| Duration | 8 weeks per cohort |
| Format | Hybrid |
| Cost | Free, no equity |
| Run with | Department of Science & Technology, Government of India |
About DST-GDC I-NCUBATE Program
A joint programme with the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, launched in September 2024. It identifies deep-tech startups and translational research projects based on STEM research at Indian universities and labs and puts them through the I-NCUBATE eight-week customer discovery bootcamp. Ten cohorts are planned in the first phase, each of about ten teams.
What you get
- Structured sessions led by instructors, plus one-on-one input from an experienced business mentor for each team.
- Free participation.
- Travel reimbursement for the journey to IIT Madras, up to a stated cap.
- Complimentary lodging and boarding on the IIT Madras campus for the in-person workshop days.
- No funding — the programme states plainly that it provides none.
Who can apply
- Translational research projects or early-stage startups from Indian universities, research labs and incubators.
- Teams at TRL 3, 4 or 5 with a working prototype or other acceptable proof of technology.
- Any domain of science and technology, provided the startup is rooted in the team's own STEM research.
- A technology expert — a faculty member, scientist or principal investigator at a lab — plus at least two entrepreneurs, who may be researchers, students or employees.
- Members must have worked on the innovation together for at least six months before applying.
- Registered intellectual property, or the intent and capability to create it.
How selection works: You submit the application form, GDC reviews it, and if you meet the criteria a selection committee invites you for an interview. Selected teams get a selection letter and are then onboarded into the cohort.
How to apply: Watch the programme information video on the DST programme page all the way through — the application link only appears once it ends, and skipping or dragging through it will not unlock it. Faculty leads should expect to give at least 40 hours across the eight weeks; entrepreneur leads at least 50 hours of instruction plus half their working hours each week.
Where to apply
Other GDC, IIT Madras programmes
- I-NCUBATEEight-week customer discovery bootcamp for lab-stage research teams from STEM universities.
- I-NITIATETwo-week immersion that helps STEM faculty, researchers and students judge whether they are ready to be founders.
- I-NDUCTThree-day experiential programme introducing STEM faculty and their students to what running a startup demands.
- I-NSPIREThree to six week programme for founders of science-based, pre-revenue startups at a university or incubator.
- I-GNITEInvitation-only mentoring for teams that came out of I-NCUBATE with a problem-solution fit.
- I-MMERSEEntrepreneur-in-residence route that pairs entrepreneurs with university faculty to form a founding team.
- I-DEATEStakeholder consultation exercise that helps a principal investigator shape a translational research proposal.
- FedEx SMART-GDC I-NCUBATE ProgramEight-week bootcamp with the FedEx SMART Center for India-registered logistics and supply chain startups.
- Shell-GDC I-GNITE ProgramEight-month AI-for-science programme with Shell GameChanger on energy decarbonisation — applications closed.