CHUNAUTI (NextGen Start-up Challenge)
A programme by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) (Software Technology Parks of India)
STPI's recurring national startup challenge and the way into NGIS incubation; ten editions have run and it is currently between calls.
At a glance
| Best for | Indian software product startups looking for a route into STPI incubation |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – MVP |
| Format | In person |
| Run with | MeitY |
About CHUNAUTI (NextGen Start-up Challenge)
CHUNAUTI is the challenge STPI runs to pick the startups it incubates under NGIS. Ten editions have been listed. The most recent, CHUNAUTI 10, ran as the second edition of LEAP AHEAD, closed on 15 January 2025 and has published its result, so the programme is between intakes at the moment. Individual editions have carried themes: the third was on advancing digital applications with a focus on accessibility, and the second was themed on women entrepreneurs.
What you get
- Entry into NGIS, with its incubation space, mentoring, seed support and lab access
Who can apply
- The NGIS criteria apply: an Indian startup in software product development, incorporated within the last ten years, within the DPIIT turnover ceiling, and not formed by splitting an existing business
- Individuals, partnership firms and LLPs may enter, but have to incorporate as a private limited company if selected
How selection works: proposals are invited against a published challenge. Some editions have been run as a set of location-specific challenges instead of one national call — the fourth edition ran as eleven separate challenges at Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Noida, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram.
How to apply: through the challenge page for the open edition on the NGIS portal.
Where to apply
Other STPI programmes
- Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS)STPI's national incubation scheme for software product startups, run from twelve Tier-II centres and entered by winning a CHUNAUTI challenge.
- LEAP AHEADA three-month hybrid growth programme run with TiE Delhi-NCR for startups that already have revenue; the second edition closed in January 2025.
- STPI Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoE) networkA national network of domain-specific incubation centres, each built with a state government and industry partners, each running its own calls.
- Software Technology Park (STP) SchemeA rolling registration for 100% export-oriented software units, with single-window clearance and duty-free imports.
- Electronic Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) SchemeThe hardware twin of the STP scheme — a rolling registration for 100% export-oriented electronics manufacturing units.
- SAYUJSTPI's free networking and resource-discovery platform, and where its Centres of Entrepreneurship publish their calls and contests.