NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Kundli
Incubator of NIFTEM, an Institute of National Importance in Kundli, Sonipat, for food and agri startups: seed grant support, mentoring and lab access.
NIFTEM at a glance
| Full name | NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT |
|---|---|
| Part of | National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Kundli |
| Address | 97, SECTOR 56, HSIIDC INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, KUNDLI, SONIPAT, HARYANA - 131028 |
| Programmes | 3 standing programmes |
| Stages supported | Prototype, MVP, Early revenue |
| Fees | 1 of 2 programmes that state a policy are free |
| Official website | www.niftem.ac.in |
| info@ntibif.com |
Programs by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
2 past programs · Filter all programs
What's next?
This closed a while ago and we don't know if it will run again. Tap Notify me and we'll email you if it does.
What's next?
This closed a while ago and we don't know if it will run again. Tap Notify me and we'll email you if it does.
Which NIFTEM programme fits you
3 programmes compared by who they are for, the stage they accept, how long they run and what they cost.
By stage
- Prototype
- NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026
- MVP
- NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026
- Early revenue
- NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026
| Programme | Best for | Stage | Duration | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIFTEM Startup Incubation Programme (N-SIP) | Food and agri startups | — | Phase I is one week; the length of Phase II is not stated | — | — |
| NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026With Nestlé R&D Centre India | Early-stage food and agri startups with an MVP or prototype | Prototype – Early revenue | — | — | Free |
| NINE Program (NIFTEM Innovation and Nurturing Enterprises) | Individuals and ventures in food and allied sectors | — | — | — | Paid |
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, separate from the funding calls above.
Only the NINE Program is open to registration on the pages we read. The 2026 challenge is closed, and N-SIP's next call date is not stated.
NTIBIF's incubation programme for food and agri startups: a one-week residency workshop, then incubation with seed grant support and mentorship.
Best for: Food and agri startups
- Phase I is one week; the length of Phase II is not stated
- Grant support for selected startups
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
N-SIP has two phases. Phase I is a one-week residency workshop on the NIFTEM campus, with mentoring from industry experts. Phase II is the incubation and funding stage, where selected startups may get seed grant support and investor connect support, along with mentorship for every startup and access to NIFTEM's research labs for startups that qualify.
Who can apply
- Food and agri startups.
How to apply The pages we read do not state dates for the next call. Write to info@ntibif.com to ask when applications open.
Joint challenge of NIFTEM-K and Nestlé R&D Centre India for early-stage food and agri startups, with grant and incubation support. Closed.
Best for: Early-stage food and agri startups with an MVP or prototype
- Prototype – Early revenue
- Free
- Grant support for selected startups
With Nestlé R&D Centre India
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The 2026 challenge's application window ran from 14 April to 5 May 2026, and its registration form no longer accepts responses. Selected startups were to receive financial assistance partly as a cash grant, paid in tranches, and partly as incubation support, with access to pilot plants and product testing, mentoring and showcase opportunities. NTIBIF may ask for equity in winning startups in lieu of incubation support.
Focus areas
- Protein for All.
- Nutrition for Every Pocket.
- Wellness, Functional & Indulgence Beverages.
Who can apply
- Early-stage startups registered under DPIIT as a private limited company, LLP or proprietorship, with an MVP or prototype.
- Teams of at least two members, with one member having technical expertise in food or agri sectors.
- Pre-revenue or early-revenue startups no more than five years old.
- Indian nationals and residents, or international applicants who partner with an Indian entity.
Registration route that gives food and allied-sector individuals and ventures concessional access to NIFTEM facilities, and a route to apply for N-SIP seed support.
Best for: Individuals and ventures in food and allied sectors
- Paid
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
What you get
- Dedicated office space at concessional charges.
- Food testing labs (CFRA) and pilot plants at concessional rates, as per availability.
- Mentoring from experts at a mutually agreed cost.
- Networking and investor connect, and opportunities for seed grant.
- Regular training programmes at NIFTEM-K and access to the NIFTEM Knowledge Centre.
How to register Registration carries a fee, paid to NTIBIF before the registration form is filled in. Registration does not by itself give a right to use a NIFTEM facility; access depends on availability and suitability.
Labs & facilities
Equipment and space on campus.
NTIBIF office space
Dedicated office space on the NIFTEM campus at concessional charges, as per availability.
NIFTEM Pilot Plants
Industrial-scale food processing pilot plants, at concessional rates as per availability.
Centre for Food Research & Analysis (CFRA)
Food testing labs for research, quality analysis and sample testing.
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
Business advisory
Workshops and mentoring to help startups establish a business and move through the early stages of setting it up.
How to apply to NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Choosing the right programme
- Food and agri startups looking for incubation and seed support: N-SIP.
- Individuals and ventures in food and allied sectors who want facilities first: the NINE Program, which also leads to N-SIP.
How applications work
- The 2026 Nestlé startup challenge application window (14 April to 5 May 2026) has closed, and its registration form no longer accepts responses.
- The pages we read do not give dates for the next N-SIP call. Write to info@ntibif.com to ask when it opens.
- NINE registration carries a fee, paid before the registration form is filled in.
How selection works
- The 2026 challenge ran in three stages: preliminary screening, a pitch of about 10 minutes with questions before a jury, and then due diligence on company credentials, IP and infrastructure fit.
What reviewers look for
- Innovation and uniqueness, market viability and scalability, technical feasibility and fit with NIFTEM's infrastructure, team capability, and sustainability and social impact.
- A clear intent and capability to use NIFTEM-Kundli's infrastructure.
About NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
NIFTEM Technology Innovation and Business Incubation Foundation (NTIBIF) is the incubator linked to the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management in Kundli, Sonipat, Haryana. It runs the startup programmes for food and agri businesses, from the NIFTEM campus.
How programmes work
The NIFTEM Startup Incubation Programme (N-SIP) has two phases. Phase I is a one-week residency workshop on campus, with mentoring from industry experts on product development and business basics. Phase II is the incubation and funding stage, where selected startups may get seed grant support and investor connect support, along with access to NIFTEM's research labs for startups that qualify for that phase.
The NINE Program gives food and allied-sector individuals and ventures access to NIFTEM facilities at concessional rates. Registrants can also apply for N-SIP seed support when its call is open.
Who can apply
N-SIP is for food and agri startups. The NINE Program is open to individuals and ventures operating in food and allied sectors. The 2026 startup challenge with Nestlé R&D Centre India was for early-stage startups registered under DPIIT, with a team of at least two members and an MVP or prototype. It is now closed.
Facilities
Startups in these programmes can use NIFTEM's pilot plants, the Centre for Food Research & Analysis (CFRA) food testing labs, and office space on the campus where available.
Who runs it
NTIBIF is affiliated with NIFTEM and is backed by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India.
Location
NTIBIF is based at the NIFTEM campus, HSIIDC Industrial Estate, Kundli, District Sonipat, Haryana.
Get in touch
Send a message to NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT — we'll forward it on your behalf.
Frequently asked questions about NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
What is the full form of NIFTEM?
NIFTEM stands for NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT.
What is NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT?
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT is an incubator based in Sonipat, Haryana.
What does NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT do?
NIFTEM Technology Innovation and Business Incubation Foundation (NTIBIF) is the incubator linked to the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management in Kundli, Sonipat, Haryana. It runs the startup programmes for food and agri businesses, from the NIFTEM campus.
Where is NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT located?
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT is located at 97, SECTOR 56, HSIIDC INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, KUNDLI, SONIPAT, HARYANA - 131028.
What programs does NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT run?
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT runs NIFTEM Startup Incubation Programme (N-SIP), NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026 and NINE Program (NIFTEM Innovation and Nurturing Enterprises).
Which NIFTEM programme should I apply to?
It depends on how far along your startup is. Prototype stage: NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026. MVP stage: NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026. Early revenue stage: NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026. Check the programme's own eligibility before applying — several programmes are sector-specific.
Do NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT programmes charge a fee?
Most do not. NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026 is free to join, while NINE Program (NIFTEM Innovation and Nurturing Enterprises) charges a fee.
Does NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT provide funding?
Selected startups in some NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT programmes can receive grant support, including NIFTEM Startup Incubation Programme (N-SIP) and NIFTEM-K – Nestlé R&D Centre Startup Challenge 2026. Grant amounts are set per programme and cohort, and selection into a programme does not guarantee a grant — check the programme's own page for current terms.
What facilities does NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT offer?
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT offers NTIBIF office space, NIFTEM Pilot Plants and Centre for Food Research & Analysis (CFRA).
How do I apply to NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT?
- Food and agri startups looking for incubation and seed support: N-SIP. - Individuals and ventures in food and allied sectors who want facilities first: the NINE Program, which also leads to N-SIP. - The 2026 Nestlé startup challenge application window (14 April to 5 May 2026) has closed, and its registration form no longer accepts responses.
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