UPES

Choosing the right track

• Pick Grants if you want non-dilutive money at idea, prototype or early-revenue stage. The grant takes no equity, according to Runway.
• Pick Angel Investment only if your product is AI-native. Runway's criteria say AI and machine learning must be a core part of the product, not a feature add-on.
• Pick Partnerships or Not sure if you want Runway to point you to the right route.

How applications work

• The apply form asks for the primary founder's details, the startup name and one-line pitch, the stage (idea, prototype or MVP, early revenue, or scaling), the problem, solution and traction so far, and the team size and funding raised.
• Runway says it reviews every application and replies within 15 days.
• Questions about the form can go to runway@upes.ac.in.

How selection works

• Grant applications are reviewed by a panel. Shortlisted teams are interviewed.
• Runway says selection is based on innovation potential, team strength and scalability.
• Angel applications go through screening by an investment committee, a deep dive with a panel, and then a term sheet for selected startups.

What reviewers look for

• A clear problem statement and a proposed solution.
• A founding team with a committed member, and for the angel track, technical depth in AI and machine learning.
• Early user traction or feedback for prototype-stage applicants, and demonstrable monthly revenue or paying customers for early-revenue applicants.
• A willingness to report progress and take part in the programme's mentoring and demo day.

Runway Incubator is the incubation and investment platform of UPES, a private university in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It gives early-stage startups mentoring, grants and, for AI-focused companies, angel investment. Founders apply through one form and pick a track: grants, angel investment, partnerships or not sure.

How programmes work

Runway runs three things. The first is a grant for startups that have an idea, a working prototype or early revenue. Runway says the grant takes no equity. Each stage has its own grant ceiling, which the grants page states and which we do not repeat here.

The second is an angel track for AI-native companies. Runway backs selected startups with seed capital and calls each batch a pitch round. Its site lists startups in a round called Pitch 1.0, startups still under process in Pitch 2.0, and a shortlist for Pitch 3.0. Selected startups receive a term sheet with milestone-based terms.

The third is the incubation itself. Runway describes it as an 8–10 week blended programme to refine a business idea, get it market-ready and make it investor-ready. Each startup is paired with a dedicated mentor, and the programme ends with a demo day in front of investors, advisors and industry leaders. The homepage also lists a pre-incubation cohort and a programme called Takeoff, but their registration windows have closed, and the site says applications for the next cohort are open.

Who can apply

Runway says it is sector and location agnostic. Its homepage and grant FAQ both say startups from any field and anywhere in India can apply. Some requirements depend on the track. Early-revenue grant applicants must be a registered Indian company, either a private limited company or an LLP, while idea-stage and prototype applicants can be registered or willing to register. The angel track asks for AI and machine learning at the core of the product, a working prototype, an MVP or early traction, and technical depth in the founding team.

Runway's pages do not say whether the incubation itself takes equity or charges a fee, so ask the team before you join.

Facilities

Runway's own description says startups get access to UPES labs, workspaces and infrastructure. Grant recipients also get mentoring, incubation programme access and networking with investors and industry leaders. The site does not list a separate coworking product.

Scale

Runway's own figures do not agree. Its homepage counts 200+ startups incubated and 25+ mentors. Its portfolio page describes a portfolio of 40+ start-ups. The homepage investments table, and the cohorts listed under government and corporate grant programmes, show companies from 2025 and 2026. Read the counts as rough orders of magnitude.

Runway lists several government and corporate associations. These include MeitY's GENESIS EIR programme, the Department of Science and Technology's inclusive technology business incubator scheme, an STPI Electropreneur Park spoke centre, a Host Institute role under the Ministry of MSME's Innovative Scheme, and HDFC Parivartan as a corporate grant partner. Each one is described on the grants and partners pages.

Who runs it

Runway is part of UPES. Its chief executive, Rahul Nainwal, is also Director of the UPES School of Business. The investments work is led by Nupur Shah, and Mohit Nagpal is Assistant Director, managing incubation programmes, startup evaluations and partnerships. The site also lists a team of programme staff and a panel of volunteer mentors. The mentors include founders from fashion and lifestyle e-commerce, B2B platforms and infrastructure, a corporate development lead from a SaaS company, and an angel investor who advises on fundraising and growth metrics.

Where it is

Runway is based at UPES in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with the UPES postal address at Energy Acres, Bidholi, Via Prem Nagar, 248007.