3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders - AIC IIT Delhi

The 3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders is an initiative by AIC IIT Delhi, the Atal Incubation Centre at IIT Delhi. This program is specifically designed for first-time founders, including students, researchers, and young innovators who possess an idea but have not yet established a company. It targets projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 0 to 3.

The program unfolds in two distinct phases. Phase 1 is an intensive five-day residential boot camp held at IIT Delhi's Sonipat campus, running from June 15 to 19, 2026. This phase covers essential topics such as vision development, startup mindset, business model creation, revenue strategies, design thinking, rapid prototyping, market validation, customer discovery, and fundamental pitching skills.

Following the boot camp, Phase 2 commences as a three-month structured mentorship and validation track. During this period, selected participants receive dedicated support to refine their ideas and conduct thorough customer testing. This comprehensive approach ensures that early-stage concepts are rigorously developed and validated.

Participants benefit from prototype development support of up to ₹3 lakh, enabling them to transform their concepts into tangible early builds. Furthermore, the program offers a direct route to apply for grant support of up to ₹10 lakh through the Startup Haryana Seed Fund Policy, subject to specific norms and approvals. Successful participants also gain a direct pathway to incubation at AIC IIT Delhi post-program, alongside access to workspace and the broader IIT Delhi ecosystem. Participation in the program is free of cost, though seats are limited and selection-based.

• Free 3-month pre-incubation program by AIC IIT Delhi for early-stage innovators.
• Targets students, researchers, and aspiring founders at TRL 0-3.
• Offers up to ₹3 lakh for prototype development.
• Provides a pathway to apply for up to ₹10 lakh via the Startup Haryana Seed Fund.
• Includes a mandatory 5-day residential boot camp at IIT Delhi Sonipat campus.
• Direct pathway to incubation at AIC IIT Delhi for strong participants.

This pre-incubation program is open to a wide range of aspiring entrepreneurs.

• It is specifically designed for students, researchers, young innovators, and aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Applicants must be at the idea stage or early stage, with their projects falling within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 0 to 3.
• The program welcomes applicants from any academic discipline.
• There is no requirement for an incorporated company; individuals and pre-incorporation teams are eligible to apply.
• DPIIT recognition is not mandatory for participation.
• The initial five-day boot camp is residential at the IIT Delhi Sonipat campus in Haryana. Therefore, all participants must be able to attend in person from June 15 to 19, 2026.
• Due to limited seats, selection for the program is competitive.

3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders - AIC IIT Delhi is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for 3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders - AIC IIT Delhi closed on 31 May 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Participants in the 3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders receive significant financial and ecosystem support.

• Selected participants are eligible for prototype development support of up to ₹3 lakh. This funding is provided on a milestone basis to help transform early-stage ideas into tangible builds.
• The program offers a direct pathway to apply for additional grant support of up to ₹10 lakh under the Startup Haryana Seed Fund Policy. This is subject to meeting the policy's specific norms and gaining necessary approvals.
• Strong participants are offered a direct pathway to incubation at AIC IIT Delhi upon successful completion of the program.
• Access to workspace and the broader IIT Delhi ecosystem is also provided, fostering a supportive environment for innovation and growth.

3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders - AIC IIT Delhi is offered by AIC IIT Delhi (Atal Incubation Centre, IIT Delhi), an academic institution. It is delivered directly by AIC IIT Delhi (Atal Incubation Centre, IIT Delhi) as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

The selection process for the 3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders involves several stages, culminating in comprehensive support for selected innovators.

• Application Submission: Interested candidates must submit their application through the designated AIC IIT Delhi Google Form by the deadline of May 31, 2026.
• Initial Screening: The AIC IIT Delhi team meticulously reviews all applications. This screening process assesses the merit of the idea, the background of the applicant, and the suitability of the project's Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for the program.
• Boot Camp Invitation: Shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in a five-day residential boot camp. This intensive session takes place from June 15 to 19, 2026, at the IIT Delhi Sonipat campus.
• Phase 2 Selection: Performance during the boot camp and the demonstrated progression of the idea are critical factors in the selection for the subsequent three-month Phase 2 mentorship and validation track.
• Prototype Funding Access: Participants selected for Phase 2 gain access to prototype development support of up to ₹3 lakh, disbursed on a milestone basis.
• Incubation and Seed Fund Opportunity: The strongest participants from Phase 2 are offered direct incubation at AIC IIT Delhi. They also receive the opportunity to apply for grant support of up to ₹10 lakh through the Startup Haryana Seed Fund Policy.

Before you apply to 3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders - AIC IIT Delhi, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

3 Month Pre-Incubation Program for Future Founders - AIC IIT Delhi is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹3L – ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.