NIDHI i-TBI Startup Ignition Grant
Funds Indian innovators turning ideas into prototypes through NIDHI i-TBI hubs.
Run through DST's network of Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (i-TBIs), the scheme gives grants-in-aid to innovators via a host incubator. Institutions apply to become an i-TBI host through DST's e-PMS call-for-proposals portal, while individual innovators and startups apply directly to an existing i-TBI, each of which runs its own periodic enrollment calls.
The Startup Ignition Grant backs students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and startups who want to convert an idea into a prototype and a prototype into a business. It targets Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities where the innovation and startup ecosystem is still nascent, with an explicit focus on inclusiveness across geography, gender and people with special abilities.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply
Sign up free to see where teams trip up
Guides for this application
All guides →Government Grants for Startups: What Deeptech Founders Should Know
A practical guide to government grants for startups, including Grants.gov, SBIR/STTR, state programs, eligibility, fit, timelines, and when to apply.
Write proposalGrant Proposal Example: Sample Applications and What to Learn From Them
Learn how to use grant proposal examples, sample applications, and public funded proposals without copying weak structure or missing funder-specific rules.
Write proposalGrant Technical Narrative Example: Scope, Milestones, and Evidence
See how a grant technical narrative can be structured, with a worked deeptech example, milestone table, evidence map, and weak vs strong wording.
More from DST India
All grants from this funder →INSPIRE — Fellowships & Scholarships
🇮🇳DST India · India
Runs students and early career scholars with mentoring support for INSPIRE Fellowships & Scholarships in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and materials science.
NIDHI — Incubation Support
🇮🇳DST India · India
Supports deep-tech and science-based startups through a network of Indian incubators and prototype centers.
NIDHI PRAYAS Prototype Grant
🇮🇳DST India · India
Funds innovators and startups building prototypes through NIDHI PRAYAS.
NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence
🇮🇳DST India · India
Funds entrepreneurs and innovators developing technology business ideas through NIDHI EIR.
NIDHI – Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators and Startups (PRAYAS)
🇮🇳DST India · India
Gives young innovators up to INR 10 lakh to build an early prototype.
NIDHI PRAYAS
🇮🇳DST India · India
Funds prototyping for physical-product ideas through India's NIDHI PRAYAS scheme.
Similar grants
Browse the directory →
NGIS — Software-Product Incubation
🇮🇳MeitY · India
Funds Indian software-product teams through NGIS incubation routes and early-stage financial support.
Ignition Grant under the NIDHI iTBI Scheme at AdtU
🇮🇳NIDHI iTBI AdtU · India
Pays up to INR 10 lakh for early healthcare and ICT prototype innovations.
Assistance for Capital Investment to Uplift the Economic Condition of Artisans/Persons
🇮🇳Industries Dept (DNH&DD) · India
Gives SC/ST/OBC/EWS artisans in the union territory free tools and equipment for their trade.
SAMRIDH Matching Investment — Cohort-Based
🇮🇳MeitY · India
Funds Indian startups with matching-investment support via accelerator cohort routing.
TIDE 2.0 Incubator-Routed Support
🇮🇳MeitY · India
Funds Indian startups routed through incubators for AI and digital product commercialization.
ACIC Community Innovator Fellowship
🇮🇳AIM · India
Funds community innovators in India with a fellowship path for startup experimentation via ACIC incubation support.