NIDHI-PRAYAS
A programme by SMVDU Technology Business Incubation Centre (SMVDU-TBIC)
A DST-backed prototyping scheme giving innovators grant support and lab time to turn an early technology idea into working hardware.
At a glance
| Best for | Innovators building a hardware prototype from an early technology concept |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Department of Science & Technology (DST), NSTEDB |
About NIDHI-PRAYAS
NIDHI-PRAYAS is the centre's prototyping scheme, funded by the Department of Science & Technology and endorsed by NSTEDB. It exists so that someone with an early technology concept can build and test real hardware without having to find the money first.
What you get
- Grant support for building a prototype
- Access to technical labs and the centre's own tinkering lab, open around the clock
- Mentoring
- A route into full incubation at the centre
Who can apply
- The centre describes it as being for emerging innovators building hardware prototypes, and the scheme's stated aims name students and young people from the region
- Beyond that the centre does not publish eligibility rules
How to apply: The centre does not publish an application form or a call for this scheme. Ask the office at smvdu.tbic@smvdu.ac.in whether it is currently taking applications.
Seventeen innovators have been supported under it so far, working on drones, diagnostics, battery swapping, cold storage, veterinary nutrition and small hydro among other things.
Where to apply
Other SMVDU Technology Business Incubation Centre (SMVDU-TBIC) programmes
- IncubationThe centre's main phase, for startups with a working product and a tested business model, running up to fifteen months with workspace, mentoring and seed funding.
- Pre-IncubationA six-month proof-of-concept phase that takes an idea to a tested business model, open in policy to students, alumni, faculty and outside innovators.
- NIDHI Seed Support SystemDST seed support for the centre's own incubated startups, released in milestone tranches to get a product from prototype to market.
Everything about SMVDU Technology Business Incubation Centre (SMVDU-TBIC)