NIDHI-PRAYAS prototype grant
A programme by Kongu Engineering College (Kongu Engineering College)
Pre-incubation grant support to turn an innovative idea into a working prototype within eighteen months; the last published call has closed.
At a glance
| Best for | Innovators who need to build a first prototype |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | 18 months |
| Format | In person |
| Cost | Free, no equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | NSTEDB / Department of Science & Technology, Government of India |
About NIDHI-PRAYAS prototype grant
NIDHI-PRAYAS is a pre-incubation scheme funded by NSTEDB/DST that TBI@KEC hosts. The last call published on its page closed in October 2023 and the page says applications are closed, so watch for the next call.
What you get
- Grant support to convert an innovative idea into a prototype inside eighteen months.
- Access to the incubator's infrastructure and prototype building facility.
- Mentoring, and shared or co-working space to develop the idea.
Who can apply
- Young innovators with an idea, applying as an individual, a team or a startup — the page publishes separate undertakings for each.
- Priority goes to advanced manufacturing, agri and food tech, health and med tech, clean and green tech across air, water, energy and waste, and internet of things; other areas are considered on the merit of the idea.
How selection works: applications go through due diligence that weighs innovation, potential for commercialisation and startup creation, team capability and commitment. Screening takes six weeks from the close of the call, followed by a presentation to the project monitoring committee. Only selected applicants are emailed, and the committee's decision is final. Those selected must agree to pre-incubation or incubation with the incubator.
How to apply: download the eligibility guidelines, application form, one-page summary, presentation template and undertakings from the programme page and submit them against the published checklist.
Where to apply
Other KEC programmes
- Incubation at TBI@KECResident incubation on the Kongu Engineering College campus, with workspace, prototyping labs, mentoring and help with licences, IP and market access.
- NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) fellowshipA twelve-month fellowship paying a monthly subsistence grant to a graduate who wants to pursue a technology business idea full time; the third call has closed.
- Seed Support System for Early Stage Tech Driven Startups in IncubatorsMilestone-linked seed support, structured as an interest-bearing loan, for startups resident at TBI@KEC; the last published call closed in May 2024.
- EDII-TN Innovation Voucher ProgramVouchers that co-fund research or market-entry work for Tamil Nadu MSMEs and startups, delivered with a Kongu faculty member as knowledge partner; screened monthly.