iHUB DivyaSampark, IIT Roorkee

Pick the right programme

• You have a deep-tech product idea in cyber-physical systems: look at PRAYAS for prototype funding or PANKH-The Wings for early financial assistance.
• You have an idea but no company yet: GISP has no entry criteria beyond a good innovative idea.
• You want to build a venture as an entrepreneur in residence: look at the EIR programme.
• You are an undergraduate student: the CHANAKYA fellowship is for students working on smart devices and materials.
• You run a startup in defence, security or strategic technology: look at the Incubation Support Programme.

How applications work

• Each programme page has an Apply Now button.
• The site does not list dated intakes for the programmes, so confirm an open call before you apply.
• If no open call is running, the hub still asks you to get in touch.

What the hub looks for

• A clear innovative idea in cyber-physical systems that can solve a real-world problem.
• For the incubation and accelerator routes, a product that has potential for commercialisation.

Get in touch

• Use the contact page, or write to the hub's general inbox.

iHUB DivyaSampark is a Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Roorkee in Roorkee, Uttarakhand. It was set up under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and runs as a section 8 (not for profit) company. It is a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and IIT Roorkee, and it backs founders building products in cyber-physical systems, such as smart devices, sensors, AI and robotics.

How programmes work

The hub runs several standing programmes rather than one cohort. Its Incubation Support Programme is aimed at startups working in defence, security and strategic technologies, and offers mentorship, infrastructure, access to funding and training. The Dedicated Innovation Accelerator Scheme (DIAL), which it also calls Pankh Propel, helps startups take innovative products and technologies to market. PANKH-The Wings gives financial assistance to early ventures with promising deep-tech ideas. PRAYAS funds the prototype stage for young innovators, and any intellectual property generated vests with the innovator or the startup.

Two programmes are aimed at people as much as companies. The Grassroots Innovators Support Program (GISP) supports innovators at any educational level. The Entrepreneurs In Residence (EIR) programme offers an entrepreneurship fellowship to a budding entrepreneur with a technology idea or a promising technology business idea.

Who can apply

Who can apply depends on the programme. GISP sets no restriction on location, age, education or qualification. Its only criterion is a good innovative idea in cyber-physical systems that can solve real-world problems. The CHANAKYA fellowship is for motivated undergraduate students who want to work on smart devices and materials for cyber-physical systems. The site does not publish full eligibility rules for the other programmes, so check the programme page before you apply.

Focus areas

The hub's verticals are Healthcare 4.0, Industry 4.0, Smart Cities and Defence. It also takes consultancy work for government and industry, and it accepts CSR support from companies. Startups it names as incubated on its site include Ballice Smart Devices, IDR R&D Development, Dheya Engineering Technologies, Teqbot Innovations, Jyoma Solutions, Evigway Technologies and Unscene Innovations.

Locations

The main office is at IIT Roorkee in Roorkee, Uttarakhand. The hub also has a facility at the IIT Roorkee Greater Noida extension centre (GNEC) on Park II in Greater Noida. The site describes advanced labs, prototyping facilities and co-working spaces for founders.

Who runs it

Manish Anand is Chief Executive Officer and Sudeb Dasgupta is Project Director. The site also lists an advisory panel of entrepreneurs, policy and industry figures, and a management team covering operations, training, HR and accounts.