SPTBI
Sardar Patel Technology Business Incubator
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Sardar Patel Institute of Technology
Technology business incubator in Mumbai, run as an initiative of Sardar Patel Institute of Technology.
SPTBI at a glance
| Full name | Sardar Patel Technology Business Incubator |
|---|---|
| Part of | Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Sardar Patel Institute of Technology |
| Established | 2015 |
| Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Programmes | 5 standing programmes |
| Stages supported | Idea, Prototype, Early revenue, Growth |
| Official website | www.sptbi.com |
| managertbi@spit.ac.in |
Which SPTBI programme fits you
5 programmes compared by who they are for, the stage they accept, how long they run and what they cost.
By stage
- Idea
- Incubation Programme, Student Startup Programme, NIDHI PRAYAS
- Prototype
- Incubation Programme, Student Startup Programme, NIDHI PRAYAS
- Early revenue
- Incubation Programme, Student Startup Programme
- Growth
- Incubation Programme, Student Startup Programme
| Programme | Best for | Stage | Duration | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incubation Programme | Science and technology startups at idea to scaling stage | Idea, Prototype, Early revenue, Growth | — | — | — |
| Student Startup Programme | Student-founded science and technology startups | Idea, Prototype, Early revenue, Growth | — | — | — |
| NIDHI PRAYAS | Individual innovators and early-stage startups building a physical prototype | Idea – Prototype | Prototype to be completed within 18 months | — | — |
| NIDHI Seed Support Program | Technology startups already in SP-TBI's incubation for at least three months | — | — | — | — |
| Startup India Seed Fund Scheme | DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated no more than 2 years before applying | — | — | — | — |
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at SPTBI, separate from the funding calls above.
Incubation Programme
IncubationResident technology incubation for science and technology startups, with office space, prototyping, mentoring and events.
Best for: Science and technology startups at idea to scaling stage
- Idea, Prototype, Early revenue, Growth
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The incubation programme gives technology founders a platform to build technology-based businesses. It offers infrastructure, office space, consultation, mentorship, business plan help, growth support, product prototyping and seed funding.
What you get
- A plug-and-play dedicated office and access to the tech lab
- Access to Prayas Shala, the startup toolkit, and events and webinars
- Access to the talent pool and mentors
Who can apply
- Startups from the science and technology sector
- Registered startups less than 10 years old
- Startups at ideation, prototype, traction or scaling stage
How selection works: Screening of the application, then a telephonic or in-person founder interview, then a final decision by the steering committee.
How to apply: Use the application form linked from the programme page.
Student Startup Programme
IncubationDiscounted incubation for student-founded startups from the Bhavans campus and partner colleges.
Best for: Student-founded science and technology startups
- Idea, Prototype, Early revenue, Growth
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
This programme supports students and faculty who want to start a company. Students from the Bhavans campus and partner colleges can use SP-TBI's resources and services to build a full-fledged startup, with discounted incubation.
What you get
- Discounted incubation
- The same facilities as the incubation programme
Who can apply
- One co-founder must be a student, with valid proof
- Startups from the science and technology sector
- Registered startups less than 7 years old
How selection works: The same three-stage process as the incubation programme.
How to apply: Use the application form linked from the programme page.
NIDHI PRAYAS
Grant schemePrototype grant for individual innovators and early-stage startups turning a technology idea into a physical prototype.
Best for: Individual innovators and early-stage startups building a physical prototype
- Idea – Prototype
- Prototype to be completed within 18 months
- Grant support for selected startups
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
NIDHI PRAYAS is a prototype grant under the national NIDHI umbrella. It funds the step from an idea to a physical product prototype with commercial potential. Software, e-commerce, service and app-based ideas are not eligible.
What you get
- A prototype grant
- Mentorship, networking and startup events
- Co-working space and access to labs, including IoT, AR-VR, robotics, electronics and mechanics labs
- Support with talent acquisition
Who can apply
- Individual innovators or early-stage startups
- Indian citizens aged 18 or over, with technical skills or background
- A physical prototype with a roadmap to commercialisation, completed within 18 months
- Startups no more than 7 years old from incorporation, within the turnover limit the page states
How to apply: The programme page invites applications from students, graduates, professionals and startups. It gives no application link or intake date.
NIDHI Seed Support Program
Grant schemeSeed support for incubated technology startups for product trials, market entry and commercialisation.
Best for: Technology startups already in SP-TBI's incubation for at least three months
- Grant support for selected startups
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The NIDHI Seed Support Program is an initiative of the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, under the Department of Science and Technology. It gives financial assistance to early-stage technology startups for product trials, market entry and commercialisation, and it is routed through incubators such as SP-TBI.
Broad areas covered include product development, IPR support, test marketing, testing and trials, professional services and day-to-day manpower.
Who can apply
- A company registered in India, preferably DPIIT registered or applied
- At least 3 months of association with the incubator in its resident or virtual programme
- A clear unique selling point, validated with customers
- Not an Indian subsidiary of a multinational or foreign company
- Indian promoters holding at least 51%
- Preference for startups that have not taken Government of India or state funding
How to apply: Applications run through the incubator. The programme page gives no separate application link or intake date.
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
Grant schemeGovernment seed fund routed through SP-TBI: a prototype grant plus a later investment instrument for DPIIT-recognised startups.
Best for: DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated no more than 2 years before applying
- Grant support for selected startups
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme gives early-stage startups seed funding for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation. Its benefits are a prototype grant and an investment in convertible debentures or debt-linked instruments.
What you get
- A prototype grant for validation, prototype development or product trials
- An investment for market entry, commercialisation or scaling up
- Access to the incubator's facilities and mentors
Who can apply
- DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated not more than 2 years before applying
- Technology built into the core product, service, business model, distribution or method
- Indian promoters holding at least 51% at application
- Prior government assistance within the scheme's stated limit
- Startups receive seed support only once
How to apply: Use the apply link on the programme page, which goes to the government seed fund portal.
Labs & facilities
Equipment and space on campus.
Prayas Shala (prototyping lab)
Plug-and-play dedicated office
Co-working space
Production and content creation centre
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
Business advisory
Business and tech mentors who can be reached twice a month, plus sector-specific training sessions and workshops.
Recognitions & empanelments
Official approvals this incubator holds.
NIDHI
Incubatees can apply to NIDHI schemes through the incubator.
How to apply to SPTBI
Choosing a programme
- Science and technology startups at idea, prototype or early traction stage fit the incubation programme.
- A startup with a student co-founder can use the student programme, with valid proof of student status.
- Individual innovators and early-stage startups building a physical prototype can look at NIDHI PRAYAS.
- DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated recently can check the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.
How applications work
- The incubation and student programmes link to an application form from their pages.
- The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme apply button goes to the government seed fund portal.
- The NIDHI Seed Support Program is applied for through the incubator. Its page gives no separate link or intake date, so ask the incubator directly.
How selection works
- The incubation programme screens the application first, then runs a telephonic or in-person founder interview on team capabilities and relevant experience, then a final decision by the steering committee.
What reviewers look for
- For the funding schemes: Indian promoters holding at least 51%, and no more prior government assistance than the scheme allows.
- For the NIDHI Seed Support Program: at least 3 months with the incubator, and a clear customer-validated unique selling point.
- For NIDHI PRAYAS: a physical prototype with a roadmap to commercialisation, finished within 18 months.
About SPTBI
Sardar Patel Technology Business Incubator (SP-TBI) is a technology incubation centre in Mumbai. It was founded in 2015 as an initiative of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, and it is affiliated with the Department of Science and Technology of the Indian government.
What the incubator offers
Incubatees get office space, a prototyping lab, mentoring, events and webinars, and access to a talent pool. The site says its business and tech mentors can be reached twice a month. Startups can also use a production and content creation centre to make product videos and advertisements.
How programmes work
SP-TBI runs an incubation programme for science and technology startups and a discounted incubation route for student-founded startups. It also routes three government-linked funding schemes: NIDHI PRAYAS for prototype grants, the NIDHI Seed Support Program, and the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme. Each has its own eligibility rules, set out on its programme page.
Who can apply
Eligibility depends on the programme. The incubation programme takes science and technology startups at ideation to scaling stages, with registered startups less than 10 years old. The student route needs a student co-founder. The funding schemes set their own age, promoter-shareholding and prior-funding rules.
Locations
The incubator is in Mumbai. The site does not give a street address.
Who runs it
The team page lists a Chairperson and a Director, with a core team that handles operations, community and accounts.
Get in touch
Send a message to SPTBI — we'll forward it on your behalf.
Who they work with
Tags
Frequently asked questions about SPTBI
What is the full form of SPTBI?
SPTBI stands for Sardar Patel Technology Business Incubator.
What is SPTBI?
SPTBI is an incubator based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
What does SPTBI do?
Sardar Patel Technology Business Incubator (SP-TBI) is a technology incubation centre in Mumbai. It was founded in 2015 as an initiative of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, and it is affiliated with the Department of Science and Technology of the Indian government.
Where is SPTBI located?
SPTBI is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
What programs does SPTBI run?
SPTBI runs Incubation Programme, Student Startup Programme, NIDHI PRAYAS and NIDHI Seed Support Program, among others.
Which SPTBI programme should I apply to?
It depends on how far along your startup is. Idea stage: Incubation Programme, Student Startup Programme and NIDHI PRAYAS. Prototype stage: Incubation Programme, Student Startup Programme and NIDHI PRAYAS. Early revenue stage: Incubation Programme and Student Startup Programme. Growth stage: Incubation Programme and Student Startup Programme. Check the programme's own eligibility before applying — several programmes are sector-specific.
Does SPTBI provide funding?
Selected startups in some SPTBI programmes can receive grant support, including NIDHI PRAYAS, NIDHI Seed Support Program and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme. Grant amounts are set per programme and cohort, and selection into a programme does not guarantee a grant — check the programme's own page for current terms.
What facilities does SPTBI offer?
SPTBI offers Prayas Shala (prototyping lab), Plug-and-play dedicated office, Co-working space and Production and content creation centre.
Is SPTBI government recognised?
SPTBI holds the following recognitions and affiliations: NIDHI.
How do I apply to SPTBI?
- Science and technology startups at idea, prototype or early traction stage fit the incubation programme. - A startup with a student co-founder can use the student programme, with valid proof of student status. - Individual innovators and early-stage startups building a physical prototype can look at NIDHI PRAYAS.
When was SPTBI founded?
SPTBI was founded in 2015. It is an incubator.
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