DST-iTBI Second Cohort — Ignition Grant
A programme by NEC Business Incubator (DST i-TBI)
An open call for the incubator's second cohort, offering three months of incubation and grant support for the teams that come through it.
At a glance
| Best for | Startups, student entrepreneurs and aspiring founders in circular economy, agritech, IoT, IT, mechanical or robotics |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – MVP |
| Duration | Three-month incubation before the grant decision |
| Format | In person |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Department of Science and Technology (NIDHI) |
About DST-iTBI Second Cohort — Ignition Grant
The incubator has published a call for applications to its second DST-iTBI cohort. It invites innovative startups, student entrepreneurs and aspiring founders, and it is pitched at taking an idea to a scalable venture by raising its technology readiness and opening up funding routes. No opening or closing date appears with the call, so check with the incubator before you apply.
What you get
- Co-working space at the incubator
- Mentoring from experts
- Technical and business training
- Access to campus infrastructure and lab facilities
- Networking and introductions for fundraising
- Grant support for the teams selected at the end
Who can apply
- Innovative startups, student entrepreneurs and aspiring founders
- Teams working in agritech, waste management, IoT, IT, mechanical engineering or robotics
- No incorporation requirement, no state restriction and no rule limiting places to the college's own students is stated
How selection works: applications are screened first. Up to twenty startups are then shortlisted for a three-month incubation programme. At the end of it, up to ten are selected for Ignition Grant support on merit, progress, innovation and scalability.
How to apply: use the Apply Now link on the incubator's site. The link asks you to sign in before it shows the application. Email bicnec@nec.edu.in first to confirm the cohort is still taking applications.