NIDHI – Inclusive Technology Business Incubator
Up to ₹5 crore to build technology incubators in regions where the startup ecosystem barely exists.
What you get
Up to ₹5 crore over 3 years to the incubator
Nodal ministry
Department of Science & Technology (DST)
Support type
Incubation
Best suited for
Ideation · Prototype / PoC
Typical timeline
Applications through the NIDHI online portal
What this scheme actually is
i-TBI targets the geography gap. It funds institutions in underserved regions to build an incubator capable of hosting at least 30 ventures, with an ignition grant for prototype and product development. For founders outside the metros, an i-TBI in your city changes what is locally possible.
What the scheme sets out to do
Who can apply
What you get
How to apply, step by step
- 1
For founders: locate the i-TBI nearest to you
The ignition grant and incubation are accessed by joining the i-TBI, not by applying to DST.
- 2
For institutions: prepare the space and entity commitments
The Section 8 company and the lease undertaking are the conditions applicants most often fail to meet at proposal stage.
- 3
Apply through nidhi.dst.gov.in
Submission is in the prescribed format on the NIDHI portal.
What we actually do on a i-TBI 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.