Shell-GDC I-GNITE Program
A programme by GDC, IIT Madras
Eight-month AI-for-science programme with Shell GameChanger on energy decarbonisation — applications closed.
At a glance
| Best for | Indian startups and research teams at TRL 2-4 building AI for science applied to decarbonisation |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – MVP |
| Duration | 8 months |
| Format | Hybrid |
| Cost | No equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Shell GameChanger |
About Shell-GDC I-GNITE Program
Applications for this programme were closed when this page was last checked. It ran with Shell GameChanger from December 2025 to July 2026, for early-stage Indian startups and late-stage translational research teams at TRL 2 to 4 building AI-based innovations in science with low-carbon applications.
What you get
- Entrepreneurship training and business mentorship across three phases, two of them about eight weeks each.
- Access to Shell's technical network and manufacturing resources.
- Grant support for promising teams after Phase 2, and further grant support for proof-of-concept development after Phase 3.
- A pitch to Shell at the end for possible collaboration and investment.
Who can apply
- Early-stage Indian startups and pre-incubated research teams from Indian STEM institutions and incubators.
- Pre-incubated teams must incorporate a company by the end of Phase 2 to continue into Phase 3.
How selection works: Registration, then access to the application form, review, a selection-committee interview, and an offer to join.
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.
- DST-GDC I-NCUBATE ProgramFree eight-week deep-tech bootcamp run with the Department of Science & Technology for research teams at TRL 3-5.
- FedEx SMART-GDC I-NCUBATE ProgramEight-week bootcamp with the FedEx SMART Center for India-registered logistics and supply chain startups.