NIDHI Scheme is specifically designed to help aspiring innovators like you succeed. With its comprehensive support system that has already nurtured over 2,000+ startups (NSTEDB report), NIDHI Scheme provides the perfect launchpad for groundbreaking ideas to flourish.
Whether you need funding to build your prototype, mentorship to refine your business model, or infrastructure to develop your product, this initiative offers exactly what ambitious founders need to make their mark on India’s startup ecosystem.
What is Nidhi?
NIDHI stands for National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations, launched by the Technology Translation and Innovation (TTI) Division under Department of Science and Technology (DST). It’s a comprehensive support system to convert scientific innovations into scalable, market-ready startups, as per the DST Policy Document, 2024. (Official NIDHI Portal)
Why Nidhi Scheme matters for Startups?
- Grants up to ₹10L for prototyping (PRAYAS)
- Seed support up to ₹50L for scaling startups (SSP)
- Nidhi scheme provides access to 150+ TBIs (Technology Business Incubators)
- Structured programs tailored to startup stages
“India needs innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and NIDHI fuels just that.” — Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Former DST Secretary
Which NIDHI Program Fits Your Startup?
Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty! NIDHI program isn’t a one-size-fits-all program – it has multiple components, each designed for a specific stage of your startup’s journey.
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NIDHI PRAYAS : From Idea to Prototype
The NIDHI-PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators & Startups) program, launched by DST’s TTI Division, provides early-stage innovators with up to ₹10 lakhs in grant funding and access to prototyping labs (Fab Labs) across India.
Key Features :
| Benefit | How It Works | Example |
| Prototyping Grants | Up to ₹10L for materials/testing | ₹8.5L grant for IIT Kanpur’s EV battery prototype |
| Fab Lab Access | 100+ centers with advanced equipment | 3D printing at 1/4 market rates |
| Technical Mentoring | Weekly engineer consultations | Mech. expert helped refine AgriBot’s design |
Who can apply : Individuals/teams with technical proofs, Pre-incorporated startups, Innovators without institutional support.
(Official Guidelines : NIDHI-PRAYAS PDF)
Success Story :
“RoboFoods, a Pune-based agri-tech startup, built its first AI-powered sorting machine prototype with ₹8 lakhs from NIDHI-PRAYAS.”
NIDHI-EIR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence)
The NIDHI-EIR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence) program, initiated by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), offers a monthly fellowship of ₹30,000 for up to 12 months to help aspiring entrepreneurs work full-time on their startup ideas without financial pressure.
Key Features :
| Benefit | How It Works | Example |
| Stipend Support | ₹30K/month for 12 months | FinTech founder extended runway to secure seed round |
| Incubation Priority | Guaranteed TBI admission | Direct entry to IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL |
| Investor Access | Quarterly pitch sessions | 3 EIR startups funded by Infosys Springboard |
Who can Apply? : Graduates, Researchers, Post-prototype, pre-revenue startups.
Expert Quote :
“EIR reduces financial stress, letting founders validate ideas faster.” — Dr. Anil Wali, MD, FITT-IIT Delhi.
You can get access to incubation centres, mentorship, industry connections, and expert guidance to turn your idea into a thriving business.
Success Story :
“EduSense” used EIR year to develop adaptive learning algorithms, now deployed in 120+ schools.
NIDHI-TBI (Technology Business Incubator)
NIDHI TBI aims to provide startups with institutional incubation support, physical infrastructure, and access to expert mentorship to help them grow from idea to market-ready ventures. The NIDHI TBI’s are located in academic institutions like IITs, IIMs, NITs, and leading private universities. Startups incubated under NIDHI-TBIs gain access to high-end labs (e.g., IoT, biotech, robotics), subsidized workspaces, legal/IP support, financial advisory, and networking opportunities with investors and corporates.
Key Features :
| Benefit | How It Works | Example |
| Lab-to-Market Path | Dedicated tech transfer offices | IIT Delhi’s TBI filed 20+ patents |
| Sector-Specialized Labs | Domain-specific infrastructure | AI/ML sandbox at IIIT Hyderabad |
| Corporate Partnerships | Pilot testing opportunities | BHEL collaboration for energy startups |
Who can apply : College Graduates with idea or prototype, early stage startups, pre revenue startups, Research teams spinning off startups and Ventures seeking industry partnerships.
Success Story :
“NeuroMesh” (IISc TBI): Developed brain-computer interface, secured ₹8Cr Series A from Sequoia.
NIDHI-iTBI (Inclusive-Technology Business Incubator)
The Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (i-TBI) initiative by DST addresses India’s geographic and demographic innovation gaps. Unlike traditional TBIs concentrated in Tier-1 cities, i-TBIs specifically target:
- Tier-2/3 ecosystems (e.g., Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore, Guwahati)
- Underrepresented founders (Women, rural entrepreneurs, PwD innovators)
- Local problem statements (Agriculture, handicrafts, vernacular tech)
Key Features :
| Benefit | How It Works | Example |
| Regional Customization | Focus on local industries (textiles, agri-tech) | Jaipur i-TBI supporting handicraft e-commerce platforms |
| Low-Cost Infrastructure | Shared workspaces at 60% subsidized rates | ₹500/month for prototyping labs in Nagpur i-TBI |
| Vernacular Mentorship | Business training in local languages | Tamil Nadu i-TBI’s Tamil-language pitch workshops |
| Gender Inclusion | 30% reservation for women-led startups | ₹2L special grants for female founders |
Who can apply : Women’s (30% reservation), Startups solving hyper-local problems, Entrepreneurs without access to metro networks, Non-English speakers needing vernacular support (training in local languages)
Expert Quote :
“i-TBI proves innovation isn’t about your postal code – it’s about your problem-solving courage.” — Dr. Rupinder Tewari, Head, DST’s Regional Innovation Division
How to access ?
- Locate nearest i-TBI.
- Submit region-specific business plan (Local language accepted).
- Avail Startup Ignition Grant of up to ₹5L (Special focus on social innovation).
Success Story :
“GreenJeevika” (Odisha i-TBI): Developed solar-powered cold storage for tribal farmers, raised ₹1.2Cr post-incubation, now operating in 8 districts.
Startup Ignition Grant (SIG)
The Startup Ignition Grant (SIG) is a crucial part of NIDHI’s i-TBI initiative. It provides grants-in-aid to innovators to help them turn their ideas into prototypes and prototypes into businesses.
Key Features :
| Benefit | How It Works | Example |
| Quick Disbursal | Approval within 45 days | AgriTech team received ₹5L in 30 days |
| Flexible Usage | No fixed milestones | Used 60% for hardware, 40% for testing |
| Women Founder Boost | Additional ₹1L grant | 43% female-led startups funded in 2023 |
Who can apply : Pre-prototype stage ideas, Bootstrapped founders, Social impact ventures
NIDHI-Accelerator: Fast-Track to Success
The NIDHI Accelerator program is positioned as a post-incubation initiative to fast-track the growth of potential startups through rigorous mentoring and networking support within a short span of time through existing TBIs. The program is typically a 3 to 6-month fast-track structured program, designed for startups that have achieved market validation and are ready to scale up.
As per DST’s NSTEDB division, NIDHI-Accelerator supports two types of Accelerator Programs:
- Sector-specific accelerators targeting particular industries.
- Sector-agnostic accelerators focusing on diverse startups.
Key Features :
| Benefit | How It Works | Example |
| Growth Hacking | Daily mentor sprints | SaaS startup achieved 5X user growth |
| Investor Pipeline | Curated VC meetings | 3 startups raised ₹10Cr+ post-program |
| Global Market Access | International partner network | Cleantech startup expanded to SEA markets |
Who can apply : Startups with ₹10L+ revenue, Teams with 3+ members, Ventures with clear scaling roadmap
Success Story :
“Textify” scaled from 10K to 250K users during accelerator, acquired by Zoho.
NIDHI-SSP (Seed Support Program): Early-Stage Funding
The NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI-SSP) is designed to provide timely financial assistance to incubators, enabling them to support startups with promising ideas, innovations, and technologies. The primary goal is to ensure the availability of seed support through incubators, helping potential startups grow and succeed in the marketplace.
Key Features :
| Benefit | How It Works | Example |
| Milestone Funding | ₹25L initially + ₹25L upon traction | HealthTech startup deployed in 5 hospitals |
| Customer Acquisition | Govt. pilot opportunities | Smart city project in Surat |
| International Exposure | Global startup competitions | CES Las Vegas participation |
Who can apply : Startups with 12+ months runway, Ventures with paying customers, Teams with IP protection
Succes Story :
2023 Data: 120+ startups funded under SSP, including MedTech firm “NeuroBot” (raised ₹2 Cr post-NIDHI).
(Source: NSTEDB Annual Report 2023)
NIDHI-COE (Centres of Excellence): Go Big, Go Global
The NIDHI Center of Excellence (NIDHI-CoE) strengthens existing incubation capacities of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) to make them world-class, state-of-the-art startup incubation centres. NIDHI-CoE supports potential startups in translating technological innovations into marketable products and high-growth ventures.
Key Features :
| Benefit | How It Works | Example |
| Advanced Prototyping | Nanotech/Quantum computing labs | Developed India’s first graphene battery |
| Patent Support | In-house IP attorneys | 150+ patents filed |
| Global Collaborations | Joint research with MIT, Stanford | AI partnership with ETH Zurich |
Who can apply : DeepTech research teams, Startups needing high-cost equipment, Ventures targeting global markets
Success Story :
“QNu Labs” built India’s first quantum encryption tech at IIT Madras CoE.
How to Apply for NIDHI? (Step-by-Step)
Now that you know what NIDHI offers, the next step is getting into the program! Here’s what you need to do:
- Identify which NIDHI program fits your startup’s current stage.
- Find a TBI or i-TBI (Check DST Nidhi Incubator List)
- Prepare documents (pitch deck, feasibility, projections, IP proof)
- Apply via DST TBI or PRAYAS portal
- Attend pitch + evaluation round.
Pro Tip :
“Startups with filed patents/IP get priority.” — Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Former Director, IIT Delhi
Conclusion
The NIDHI Scheme isn’t just another startup grant—it’s a structured pathway to transform deep science and disruptive ideas into real ventures. From student-led prototypes to quantum computing breakthroughs, NIDHI covers it all.
So, what are you waiting for? Explore the NIDHI portal, connect with a TBI, and get started on your journey today.
