Runway Angel & Seed Investment (AI track)
A programme by Runway Incubator, UPES
Equity investment into AI-native startups, decided in numbered pitch rounds and ending in a milestone-based term sheet.
At a glance
| Best for | AI-native startups with a technical founding team and early traction |
|---|---|
| Stage | Prototype – Early revenue |
| Duration | Application to term sheet in weeks |
| Format | Hybrid |
| Cost | Takes equity |
About Runway Angel & Seed Investment (AI track)
A separate investment track from the grants, restricted to startups building with artificial intelligence at the core. It runs in numbered pitch rounds — Pitch 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 so far — and it does take equity.
What you get
- Direct angel and seed investment into selected startups
- Access to UPES AI research, compute infrastructure and industry connections
- A decision in weeks rather than months, per Runway's own description of the process
Who can apply
- AI or machine learning must be core to the product, not a feature add-on
- Registered, or willing to register, as an Indian company (private limited or LLP)
- A working prototype, MVP or demonstrable early traction
- A clear problem statement and an addressable market
- A founding team with technical depth in AI or machine learning
- Willingness to report progress against milestones
How selection works: Application with a pitch deck, product demo and founder details; screening by the investment committee on AI depth, market potential and team strength; a deep-dive presentation to a panel for shortlisted startups; then a term sheet with milestone-based terms.
How to apply: Submit through the application form on the Runway site and choose the angel investment track.
Where to apply
Other Runway Incubator, UPES programmes
- Runway Incubation ProgramAn 8-to-10-week blended cohort that takes a startup from refining its idea to pitching investors on demo day.
- Runway GrantsThree non-dilutive grant tiers — idea, prototype or MVP, and early revenue — awarded alongside a place in the incubation programme.
- Takeoff 6.0 — pre-incubation programRunway's pre-incubation intake, with its own registration page and deadline.
- MeitY GENESIS at RunwayThe Ministry of Electronics and IT's GENESIS support programme for early-stage tech startups, hosted at Runway.
- DST Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (iTBI) Ignition GrantIgnition grants for technology startups under the DST-approved inclusive technology business incubator project at UPES.