NIDHI – Accelerator
Short, intensive accelerator cohorts run by established TBIs — with a ₹10 lakh demo-day award pool for the top startups.
What you get
Up to ₹40 lakh per cohort — ₹30 lakh programme cost, ₹10 lakh demo-day awards
Nodal ministry
Department of Science & Technology (DST)
Support type
Incubation
Best suited for
Seed / Early Stage · Growth / Scaling
Typical timeline
Cohort-based, run by the host TBI
What this scheme actually is
NIDHI-Accelerator is a post-incubation instrument: DST funds experienced TBIs to run structured acceleration cohorts with rigorous mentoring, investor connects and a demo day. The top three to five startups in each batch share a ₹10 lakh award pool based on performance during the programme.
What the scheme sets out to do
Who can apply
What you get
How to apply, step by step
- 1
Track accelerator cohorts at DST-supported TBIs
Cohorts are announced by individual TBIs. Watch the incubators in your domain.
- 2
Apply to the cohort with traction evidence
Acceleration is post-incubation — selection favours startups with a product and early market signal.
- 3
Compete on demo day
The award is performance-based across the programme, not a pitch-day lottery. Show movement on metrics.
What we actually do on a scheme mandate
Services this usually needs
No consultant can guarantee a sanction — that decision sits with the evaluating committee, bank or incubator. We commit to an honest eligibility view, an application built to the evaluator’s format, filing inside the window and a documented follow-up cadence. That is stated in every engagement letter we sign.