Technology Development Board (TDB)

The Technology Development Board (TDB) is a statutory body constituted by the Government of India in September 1996 under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995. Operating under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), TDB is headquartered in New Delhi at Technology Bhawan on New Mehrauli Road. It is the first organization within the Indian government framework with the sole objective of commercializing indigenous research and technology.

Role in the Startup Ecosystem

TDB plays a foundational role in India's technology commercialization pipeline. While most government startup schemes focus on early ideation or recognition, TDB specifically targets the commercialization gap, supporting technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) above 6 that are ready for market deployment. This makes TDB a critical bridge between R&D institutions and the market, funding the expensive and risky transition from lab to commercial production.

Programs and Initiatives

TDB provides financial assistance through multiple mechanisms. The Empowering Tech Startups program invites applications from startups at TRL 6 and above. For projects costing up to Rs 5 crore, TDB funds up to 70 percent of the total project cost (Rs 3.5 crore). For projects above Rs 5 crore, TDB funds up to 50 percent with matching contribution from the startup. The TDB Seed Fund provides financial assistance for innovative technological ideas and supports product development, testing, trials, test marketing, mentoring, and professional consultancy. TDB also provides equity capital and loans to industrial concerns, and has partnered with private equity investors including APIDC VCF (Rs 30 crore for biotech) and UTI Ascent India Fund (Rs 75 crore) to co-invest in growth-stage companies. The board actively supports patent filing and intellectual property protection for funded companies.

Who Benefits

Technology startups and R&D institutions with proven technologies ready for commercialization benefit most. Companies at TRL 6+ developing indigenous technology products in manufacturing, biotechnology, clean energy, materials science, and advanced engineering are ideal applicants. The board also supports enterprises adapting imported technology for wider domestic application.

Strategic Impact

TDB directly addresses India's technology commercialization gap. Many promising indigenous technologies fail to reach the market due to the high cost of scaling from prototype to production. By providing substantial funding (up to 70 percent of project costs) at this critical stage, TDB reduces the financial risk of commercialization and helps convert India's growing research output into commercial products. The board's partnerships with private equity investors also create blended funding pathways that combine government support with private capital.