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IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation
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IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaEst. 2020

Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Madras incubating deep-tech startups in sensors, networking, AI and cyber-physical systems.

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Programs by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation

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Programmes they run

Standing programmes at IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, separate from the funding calls above.

Entrepreneur In Residence

Fellowship

Provides support to entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in Cyber-physical systems for up to one year to develop a prototype.

This program focuses on the stage before a company is incorporated. Pravartak will be seeding the entrepreneur with an innovative idea in Cyber-physical systems for a limited period and provide them with an opportunity to enhance an idea towards forming a prototype. The maximum period for EIR is one year.

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PRomotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurS

Grant scheme

Supports early-stage ideas/proof of concept to translate into prototypes.

The scope of PRAYAS is to support Ideas to Prototype (by attracting a number of youths who demonstrate problem-solving zeal and abilities to work on new innovative ideas). It addresses gaps in the early-stage idea/proof of concept. PRAYAS aims to translate ideas into prototypes and provide a platform to test bed and for faster experimentation and modification approaches from Ideas to Prototype

Programme page

Seed Support System

Grant scheme

Provides prototype stage financing for the commercialization of indigenous ideas, innovations, and technologies.

This initiative of the Government of India envisages building a robust Start-up ecosystem in the country for nurturing innovation and providing opportunities to budding entrepreneurs. The scope of SSS caters to prototype stage financing for the commercialization of indigenous ideas, innovations, and technologies. This scheme acts as a bridge between ideation, development and commercialization and provides a platform for innovative entrepreneurs to carry out their ideas for commercialization.

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Dedicated Innovation AcceLerator

Accelerator

Offers post-incubation support to fast-track startups, validate products/technology, and engage with customers for scaling up.

The DIAL scheme is post-incubation support linked with existing incubators/companies. This helps fast-track a start-up through focused intervention (Push innovations into the commercial domain) to supplement and complement the scaling up of a startup. It aims at companies to validate products/technology and engages with customers to boost existing activities. Please note that IITM Pravartak will accept proposals pertaining to Sensors, Networking, Actuators, and Control Systems for funding consideration.

Programme page

IITM Pravartak Fellowships

Fellowship

Provides fellowships and grants to students (graduates, postgraduates, Ph.D.) and faculty (post-Ph.D. scholars, professors) for skill development and research.

Fellowships and grants are given to students as well as faculty for the development of their skills and research. Student grants are for graduates, postgraduates, and Ph.D. students who qualify the criteria. Faculty grants are for scholars who have already completed their Ph.D. as well as for faculties and professors.

Programme page

Incubation tracks

The routes into IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, and what each one includes.

TrackTypeSpaceIncludes
Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR)This program focuses on the stage before a company is incorporated.Fellowship—seeding the entrepreneur with an innovative idea, opportunity to enhance an idea towards forming a prototype
PRomotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurS (PRAYAS)Addresses gaps in the early-stage idea/proof of concept.Pre-incubation—support Ideas to Prototype, platform to test bed and for faster experimentation and modification approaches from Ideas to Prototype
Seed Support System (SSS)Initiative of the Government of India.Pre-incubation—prototype stage financing for the commercialization of indigenous ideas, innovations, and technologies, platform for innovative entrepreneurs to carry out their ideas for commercialization
Dedicated Innovation AcceLerator (DIAL)Post-incubation support linked with existing incubators/companies.Acceleration—post-incubation support, focused intervention to supplement and complement the scaling up of a startup, validate products/technology and engages with customers to boost existing activities

Support services

Help offered alongside funding and space.

Business advisoryMarket access

Recognitions & empanelments

Official approvals this incubator holds.

Technology Innovation Hub (TIH)DST NIDHI Schemes (EIR, PRAYAS, SSS, DIAL)

About IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation

Overview

IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation is a Section 8 (not-for-profit) company hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras that houses the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) on Sensors, Networking, Actuators, and Control Systems (SNACS). It is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).

Pravartak operates as a dynamic deep-tech hub, channelling IIT Madras' research strength into commercial outcomes across automation, smart devices, embedded systems, and human-centric AI.

What They Do

Pravartak runs a structured portfolio of programs across the startup lifecycle — from pre-incorporation ideation support all the way to growth-stage incubation:

  • Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) — Pre-incorporation grant of up to ₹35,000/month for up to 12 months for innovators developing prototypes in cyber-physical systems.
  • Startup Schemes — Seed and growth funding for incorporated startups working in SNACS-aligned domains.
  • Centre for Human-Centric AI (CHAI) — A dedicated centre focused on responsible AI, applied research, and AI startup acceleration.
  • Incubation & Lab Access — Access to IIT Madras lab infrastructure, technical mentorship, and faculty collaboration.
  • International Collaborations — Cross-border research and entrepreneurship programs.

Sectors & Focus

The foundation backs founders building in sensors, IoT and edge devices, robotics and automation, cyber-physical systems, AI/ML (including human-centric AI), networking, control systems, and applications across manufacturing, healthcare, smart cities, and urban infrastructure.

Eligibility

Programs are primarily open to Indian citizens with an innovative idea or DPIIT-recognised startup aligned with the SNACS/CPS mandate. The EIR program specifically supports individual innovators before incorporation; other schemes target incorporated companies with prototypes or early traction.

Why Apply

For founders building hardware-heavy, sensor-driven, or AI-native products, Pravartak offers a rare combination of non-dilutive funding, world-class lab infrastructure at IIT Madras, faculty-level technical mentorship, and a Government of India-backed mandate that opens doors to other central schemes. It is one of the most credible deep-tech incubators in India for CPS, IoT, and applied AI ventures.

Who they work with

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