Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad

Choose the right route

• Biotech, medical technology or healthcare startup: apply to dhaRti-BioNEST.
• Startup in another listed sector (biosciences, new-generation technologies, clean energy, or sustainable food and agriculture): apply to the dhaRti Foundation incubator.
• IIT Dharwad student or research scholar with a community problem: look at the Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 (Open Level). Its submission window is stated as 25 September to 24 October 2026, so check the page for whether it is still open.

How to apply

• The Apply Now button on the dhaRti home page does not give a form address, so an email is the way in the pages state.
• For dhaRti-BioNEST, write to info@iitdh.ac.in.
• For the foundation, write to dharti.office@iitdh.ac.in.
• For any other query, the dhaRti contact page says to fill the form there.
• For the Seva challenge, registration runs through the national portal named on its page.

dhaRti Foundation is the research and technology incubator linked to IIT Dharwad. It is based on the institute's campus at Chikkamalligawad, Dharwad, and works with startups and innovators in biosciences, new-generation technologies, clean energy and sustainable food and agriculture. Its dhaRti-BioNEST centre focuses on drug discovery, medical technologies, biotechnology and healthcare.

What they support

The foundation says it supports innovation across a broad range of sectors. Its stated list runs from drug discovery and medical technologies to defence technologies, additive manufacturing, renewable energy, circular economy, precision agriculture and alternative proteins.

The foundation dates its work from 2022. It describes its role as bridging the gap between academia and industry, and helping startups turn research into market-ready solutions.

Programmes

dhaRti-BioNEST is the biotech and healthcare incubation centre. It was set up with funding support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). The centre offers access to research, testing and prototyping facilities at IIT Dharwad, mentorship from industry and healthcare professionals, guidance on clinical trials, regulatory approvals and product certifications, and help with intellectual property and bringing products to market.

The foundation's wider incubator takes startups across its listed sectors. Its home page lists labs, co-working spaces and prototyping facilities, mentorship from IIT Dharwad faculty and industry experts, networking with academia, industry and government bodies, and seed funding, investor connects and grant opportunities.

The Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 is a national challenge to find and solve real community problems. IIT Dharwad students and research scholars are invited to take part at the Open Level. The page sets a submission window from 25 September to 24 October 2026. Shortlisted innovators are offered mentorship, laboratory and testing support, and incubation and pilot funding through existing schemes.

Track record

The site does not publish a count of startups supported. Its portfolio page lists startups by name, including Navya Therapeutics, NeuO, Bionex Technologies, PAIINNO Tech and Suvihaan Bionobel Solutions. The page gives no dates or cohorts for them. Entra Innovations, incubated at dhaRti Foundation, received an indigenisation award at Viksit Tech 47 at India Mobile Congress 2026.

Who runs it

The foundation has a board of directors. dhaRti-BioNEST has a principal investigator and a co-principal investigator, and the foundation has an operations team that includes a chief operating officer and a programme head.

Location

The foundation office is on the IIT Dharwad campus at Chikkamalligawad, Dharwad, Karnataka 580011.