Student Start-up NIDHI
A programme by NewGen IEDC (New Generation Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre)
A national competition run by EDII for DST-NSTEDB, giving one-time ignition funding to student startups already supported and nominated by an IEDC or NewGen IEDC. The programme page shows its application window is closed.
At a glance
| Best for | Student and alumni teams already supported and nominated by an IEDC or NewGen IEDC |
|---|---|
| Stage | Prototype – MVP |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
About Student Start-up NIDHI
Student Start-up NIDHI is the ignition-funding route for student startups coming out of the IEDC and NewGen IEDC network. It is not open to outside founders: a team has to be supported and nominated by a centre first. Selected teams receive one-time ignition funding, released in two parts with the second tied to milestones.
Its own pages state the annual intake differently. One describes support for about 20 student startups a year across the centres; another describes selecting two or three teams from each centre each year. Both figures are the programme's; they do not agree. The host centre of a winning team is also given a certificate and a trophy.
What you get
- One-time ignition funding for the student startup, released in two parts, the second against milestones
- Recognition for the host IEDC or NewGen IEDC of a winning team
- Entry is by nomination from your own centre, not by open application
Who can apply
- Current students or alumni whose project is supported and nominated by an IEDC or NewGen IEDC
- The startup must own the intellectual property in full, with the host institution having transferred or given up its rights on it
- The startup must be registered as a company or a limited liability partnership by the time funds are disbursed
- A student may be part of only one team
How selection works: Teams enter as a national competition on the strength of their centre's nomination; the published documents give no further stage detail.
How to apply: Applications were submitted online on the programme website, with a Certificate of Nomination signed by the IEDC or NewGen IEDC coordinator uploaded at the final stage. An application without that certificate is not eligible. The last announced call was for 2018-19.