SARTHI AIC-MIT ADT Incubation 2026
Under Sarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade SARTHI Entrepreneurship Development (Incubation) Initiative by AIC MIT ADT Incubator Forum
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Quick Answer
AIC-MIT ADT Incubator Forum and SARTHI invite Maharashtra-domiciled Maratha/Kunbi community founders with innovative Deep-Tech, Agritech, EV, IoT, AI/ML, and Renewable Energy ideas/MVPs for a year-long incubation program offering a ₹25,000 monthly fellowship, mentorship, and market access.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹3 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Provider
- AIC MIT ADT Incubator Forum
- Application deadline
- 10d — 15 Oct 2026
- Location
- Maharashtra
About this grant
The SARTHI - AIC-MIT ADT Incubator Forum Incubation Program, Batch 2, is a dedicated initiative designed to foster entrepreneurship within the Maratha, Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi, and Kunbi-Maratha communities residing in Maharashtra. This year-long incubation program, a joint effort by AIC-MIT ADT Incubator Forum and the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI), Pune, aims to identify, nurture, and accelerate innovative business ideas. The program specifically targets ventures in cutting-edge sectors such as Deep-Tech, Agritech, Agriculture, Foodtech, Electric Vehicles (EV) and Smart Mobility, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), and Renewable Energy. Through a comprehensive support system, the initiative seeks to transform early-stage, technology-driven concepts and functional prototypes into viable, scalable, and sustainable enterprises, contributing to economic development and job creation within the target communities. The overarching objective is to help aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders turn their innovative, technology-driven ideas and functional prototypes/MVPs into sustainable, scalable businesses.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Institution promoting entrepreneurship and innovation
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹3 Lakhs
- Monthly stipend
- ₹25,000/month
- Fund type
- Fellowship
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Selected participants in the SARTHI Incubation Program receive substantial support, including a monthly fellowship of ₹25,000 for one year, totaling ₹3,00,000. This financial assistance is designed to enable founders to commit full-time to their ventures, covering personal expenses during the critical early development phase. Beyond the direct cash fellowship, the program offers comprehensive structured incubation support, providing a nurturing environment for startups to grow. Beneficiaries will gain access to expert mentorship from industry veterans and domain specialists, guiding them through product development, market strategy, and business scaling. Furthermore, the program facilitates invaluable networking opportunities, enabling founders to connect with peers, industry leaders, and potential partners. Startups also benefit from market access initiatives and opportunities for investor connect, enhancing their visibility and fundraising prospects. Access to specialized lab and incubation infrastructure is also provided, offering critical resources for product development and testing.
- Disbursement
- Monthly Stipend
- Duration
- 12 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The selection process for the SARTHI - AIC-MIT ADT Incubator Forum Incubation Program is designed to identify highly innovative and impactful startup ideas. Applications are rigorously reviewed by a panel of experts comprising representatives from AIC-MIT ADT Incubator Forum, SARTHI, and industry specialists. The evaluation criteria focus on the novelty and potential of the business idea, the technological depth (especially for Deep-Tech, AI/ML, EV, etc.), the viability of the proposed business model, market potential, and the commitment and capabilities of the founding team. Shortlisted applicants will typically be invited for an interview round or a pitch presentation, where they will have the opportunity to elaborate on their venture and demonstrate their prototype or MVP. Final selections are made based on a holistic assessment of all submitted materials and performance in the interview rounds.
Application Process
- 1
Apply Online
Submit your detailed application form including your business idea, technology, and team information.
You - 2
- 3
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to apply for this incubation program?
A: The program is open to applicants who are domiciled in Maharashtra, have completed their graduation, belong to the Maratha, Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi, or Kunbi-Maratha communities, and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹8 lakh.
Q: What kind of ideas or startups are prioritized?
A: The program prioritizes innovative business ideas and functional prototypes/MVPs in sectors like Deep-Tech, Agritech, Agriculture, Foodtech, EV and Smart Mobility, IoT and AI/ML, and Renewable Energy.
Q: What financial support do selected candidates receive?
A: Selected candidates receive a monthly fellowship of ₹25,000 for one year, totaling ₹3,00,000 over the program duration.
Q: What kind of non-financial support is provided?
A: Beyond financial aid, the program offers structured incubation support, expert mentoring, networking opportunities, market access, investor connect, and access to lab and incubation infrastructure.
When is the last date to apply?
Applications close on 15 October 2026 at 6:15 PM.
Q: Can I apply if I have already received funding from other sources?
A: Yes, the program allows applicants who have received prior funding, as long as they have not previously received financial benefits specifically from SARTHI.
Q: Is full-time commitment required for the startup venture?
A: Yes, applicants must commit full-time to their startup venture to be eligible for the program.
Who runs the SARTHI incubation initiative?
SARTHI, Pune, an autonomous institute of the Government of Maharashtra, launched it. 13 partner incubation centres run it on the ground.
When is the last date to apply in 2026-27?
Applications close on 15 October 2026 at 6:15 PM. They opened on 24 September 2026.
How much do selected candidates get?
A stipend of Rs 25,000 per month for one year, which is Rs 3,00,000 in total.
How many entrepreneurs does each centre take?
10 new entrepreneurs at each of the 13 centres.
Who can apply?
Maratha, Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha candidates who live in Maharashtra, hold at least a degree, and have an annual family income of Rs 8 lakh or less. You must have your own technology business idea and work on it full-time.
