Department of Science and Technology NIDHI Seed Support Scheme
A programme by Social Alpha
A DST-backed seed fund giving grant support to start-ups already in Social Alpha's incubation programme.
At a glance
| Best for | Start-ups already incubated by Social Alpha |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free, no equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Department of Science and Technology (DST) |
About Department of Science and Technology NIDHI Seed Support Scheme
Social Alpha hosts a seed fund under the Department of Science and Technology's National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) Seed Support System. It provides financial assistance for technology and product development, testing, marketing, mentoring, professional consultancy and IP-related costs, with no equity taken.
Who can apply: Start-ups registered in India (preferably DPIIT-registered), with at least 51% Indian promoter shareholding, that have been associated with Social Alpha's resident or virtual incubation programme for at least three months and have a validated customer proposition. It cannot be used to repay loans, create personal assets, or benefit promoters personally, and applicants must not have already received NIDHI seed support from another DST-supported incubator.
How selection works: Applications are evaluated and monitored by the NIDHI-Seed Support Management Committee.
How to apply: Start-ups already in Social Alpha's incubation programme can reach out to connect@socialalpha.org for guidance.
Where to apply
Other Social Alpha programmes
- Techtonic: Innovations for SustainabilitySocial Alpha's current Techtonic edition, scouting innovations across the energy transition, new materials and natural resources.
- Techtonic: Innovations in Clean EnergyA closed Techtonic edition that scouted renewable-energy, energy-efficiency and clean-energy-access innovations.
- Atal Incubation Centre – Social Alpha (AIC)A NITI Aayog Atal Innovation Mission incubation centre focused on climate, health and livelihoods start-ups.
- SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN)A lab-to-market platform for space-technology start-ups, supported by ISRO, with rolling applications.
- mach33.aeroA joint initiative with CSIR-NAL supporting aviation, aerospace and space-tech start-ups from a lab in Bengaluru.
- CEIBIC CleanTech ChallengeA closed clean-energy challenge run through the Clean Energy Innovation and Business Incubation Centre, with a preference for Kerala-based start-ups.
- Krishi Mangal (with Cisco CSR)A recurring agri-focused accelerator with Cisco CSR, now in its third edition, for start-ups supporting smallholder-farmer resilience.
- Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) and Entrepreneurs for Impact (E4i)Two fellowship tracks that bring in individuals to commercialise deep-science lab innovations or train as first-time impact entrepreneurs.