Call for Cohort 7

The VJTI Technology Business Incubator (TBI), housed within the historic Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) in Mumbai—an engineering college with over 130 years of legacy—has opened applications for its Cohort 7 incubation program. This initiative is designed to support early-stage startups developing breakthrough solutions in strategically important sectors: Energy, Electric Vehicles (EV), Semiconductors, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), and Cybersecurity. These sectors align with India's national priorities for technological self-reliance and digital transformation.

Selected startups gain access to a comprehensive suite of non-monetary resources rather than direct cash grants. The program provides lab and testing infrastructure critical for deep-tech and hardware prototyping, mentorship and entrepreneurship training from industry experts and academicians, investor connect opportunities to network with angel investors and venture capitalists, marketing and business advisory services, and internship/recruitment assistance by linking startups with VJTI's talented students and alumni. This holistic support aims to reduce operational costs, accelerate product development, and enhance market readiness, enabling founders to focus on innovation without the burden of major upfront expenses. By leveraging VJTI's academic strengths, the incubator fosters deep-tech innovation that can drive India's industrial and digital growth.

• Open to early-stage startups in Energy, EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI/ML, or Cybersecurity.
• Non-monetary support: lab infrastructure, mentorship, investor connects, marketing advisory, and recruitment assistance.
• Backed by VJTI, a 130+ year-old premier engineering institute in Mumbai.
• No equity taken—grants and loans are non-dilutive.
• Application deadline: 20 April 2026.

Startups must be developing innovative solutions in one or more of the following technology sectors: Energy, Electric Vehicles (EV), Semiconductors, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), or Cybersecurity. The program targets early-stage ventures that show strong potential for scalability and market impact. There are no specified restrictions related to geographic location, entity type, DPIIT/MSME registration, or founder background. However, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate the innovativeness of their technology, the capability of their founding team, and a viable business model.

Call for Cohort 7 is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for Call for Cohort 7 closed on 20 Apr 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

This program does not provide direct monetary grants. Instead, selected startups receive extensive non-monetary support including:

• Access to lab and testing infrastructure for prototyping and validation, especially valuable for deep-tech and hardware startups.
• Mentorship and entrepreneurship training from seasoned industry experts, academicians, and successful entrepreneurs.
• Investor connect opportunities to angel investors, venture capitalists, and corporate funders.
• Marketing and business advisory to refine branding, market strategy, and customer acquisition.
• Internship and recruitment assistance, connecting startups with skilled students and alumni from VJTI.

Call for Cohort 7 is offered by VJTI TBI Foundation, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by VJTI TBI Foundation as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

The selection process involves multiple stages:

1. Online Application: Startups submit a comprehensive application detailing their core team, problem statement, innovative solution, market analysis, business model, and financial projections.
2. Initial Screening: A panel of domain experts and mentors reviews applications to assess alignment with focus sectors, technology uniqueness, and market disruption potential.
3. Interviews and Pitch Sessions: Shortlisted candidates present their vision, technology, and business strategy to an expert selection committee.
4. Final Selection: Based on innovativeness, founding team strength, scalability, and market impact potential. Successful applicants are notified and onboarded into the incubation program.

Before you apply to Call for Cohort 7, 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.