Zero Equity Incubation Program
By Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
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Quick Answer
Zero equity incubation for Indian startups in emerging technologies, with subsidized co-working, a prototyping lab, shared GPU access and a rental subsidy for female founders.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
About this grant
The MeitY-nasscom Center of Excellence runs a Zero Equity Incubation Program for Indian startups working on emerging technologies. You get support without giving up equity. The program does not give direct cash grants.
It is a joint effort of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NASSCOM, India's trade body and chamber of commerce for the technology industry, which represents over 3000 companies.
Who can join: startups based in India working on IoT, automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), quantum computing, biotechnology, healthtech, robotics, dronetechnology, Generative AI (GenAI) or Large Language Models (LLM).
What you get: a subsidized co-working space, a prototyping lab, shared GPU access and cloud credits. You also get access to enterprises and government bodies to find first customers and validate your solution, tailored mentorship from industry experts, successful entrepreneurs and technical specialists, and investor networking events and pitch sessions.
Female founders get an additional rental subsidy on their incubation seats.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is the Government of India ministry for electronics and information technology. Its startup programmes are run through MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), the office founders deal with, which sits at Electronics Niketan, CGO…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
This zero equity incubation offers subsidized co-working space, a prototyping lab, shared GPU access, and cloud credits. Participants gain strategic market access, tailored mentorship from experts, and investor networking opportunities. Female founders receive an additional rental subsidy. No direct cash grants are provided.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Applicants submit detailed online applications, which undergo rigorous screening by industry experts and MeitY-nasscom CoE. Shortlisted startups are invited for virtual or in-person interviews to present ideas and demonstrate products. Final selection considers innovation potential, team strength, and alignment.
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
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of support does the program offer?
The program provides zero-equity incubation, subsidized co-working and prototyping lab access, shared GPU access, enterprise market access opportunities, rental subsidy for female seats, cloud credits, mentorship, and funding connects.
Is the program equity-free?
Yes, this is a Zero Equity Incubation Program, meaning no equity is taken from participating startups.
Are there any specific benefits for female founders?
Yes, female founders can receive an additional rental subsidy for their incubation seats to encourage their participation.
Which technologies are supported by the program?
The program supports emerging technologies including IoT, automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), quantum computing, biotechnology, healthtech, robotics, dronetechnology, Generative AI (GenAI), and Large Language Models (LLM).
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
