DISHA 3.0 — ₹15L–₹1.5Cr Equity Funding for Digital Healthcare Startups
DISHA 3.0 is a national deep-tech healthcare programme by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation at IIT Indore, offering ₹15 lakh to ₹1.5 crore in equity-linked funding along with mentorship, IP and deployment support.
- Funding amount
- ₹15L – ₹1.5Cr (equity)
- Funding type
- Equity
- Provider
- IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Closed (15 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
DISHA 3.0 is the third edition of the technology translation and commercialisation programme run by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, based at IIT Indore. It works as a national platform that pulls healthcare research out of the laboratory and into hospitals, clinics and homes, turning validated prototypes into deployable products and, in many cases, into funded startups.
The programme concentrates on Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) in digital healthcare. That covers medical devices, wearables, point-of-care diagnostics and healthcare analytics, along with solutions built on AI/ML, IoT and robotics.
Support goes well beyond a cheque. Selected teams get technical and business mentorship, help with IP filing and commercialisation, go-to-market and entrepreneurial guidance, portfolio management, and access to the CHARAK DT platform for product trials, deployment and collaboration with anchor clinical and industry partners.
Funding per project ranges from ₹15 lakh to ₹1.5 crore. The programme also builds in inclusion: a 20% reservation provision applies to SC-led projects within the pool of eligible applicants.
Applicants come from across India — faculty, students and medical professionals attached to higher education institutions, independent innovators, and DPIIT-recognised startups.
Highlights
- Funding of ₹15 lakh to ₹1.5 crore per project, released against milestones
- Focused on Cyber-Physical Systems in digital healthcare — devices, diagnostics, AI/ML, IoT and robotics
- Equity-linked: up to 3% equity is typically transferred, plus revenue sharing on facilitated deals
- Mentorship, IP filing and commercialisation support, and access to the CHARAK DT platform
- Open to faculty, students, medical professionals, innovators and DPIIT-recognised startups
- 20% reservation provision for SC-led projects; applications close 15 September 2026
Who can apply
DISHA 3.0 is open to a fairly wide set of applicants from across India, but it expects a specific level of maturity from the project itself.
Who can apply:
- Faculty members, students and medical professionals from higher education institutions in India.
- Innovators working independently.
- DPIIT-recognised startups operating in the relevant domains.
What the project must demonstrate:
- It must be based on Cyber-Physical Systems in digital healthcare.
- Proof of concept should already be established and a prototype must be ready.
- The work should have patenting potential, real-life application and a credible route to market. This is a commercialisation-focused programme, not a research pursuit.
Entity and paperwork requirements:
- Startups must be incorporated as Private Limited Companies. Existing LLPs need to convert.
- If you are pre-incorporation, you must register within 3–6 months of project approval.
- DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory before any funds are transferred.
- Every proposal needs endorsement from the host institution or organisation.
A 20% reservation provision applies to SC-led projects within the eligible pool.
DISHA 3.0 — ₹15L–₹1.5Cr Equity Funding for Digital Healthcare Startups is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for DISHA 3.0 — ₹15L–₹1.5Cr Equity Funding for Digital Healthcare Startups closed on 15 Sept 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Financial support: projects receive between ₹15 lakh and ₹1.5 crore. The money is not released in a single tranche — disbursement happens against milestones, following recommendations from the External Investment Committee.
Equity component: this is an equity-linked programme. Up to 3% equity is typically transferred for grant support. Where the Foundation facilitates a commercialisation deal or business opportunity, a revenue share of 15%–30% of net sales from that deal may apply, and follow-on funding arranged through the Foundation may carry a success fee of roughly 2%–5% of the investment amount.
Beyond the money:
- Expert technical and business mentorship.
- IP filing and commercialisation assistance.
- Product trial and deployment support through the CHARAK DT platform, which connects teams with anchor clinical and industry partners.
- Go-to-market strategy and entrepreneurial support.
- Portfolio management and incubation-style backing.
- Lab and infrastructure access.
About the provider
DISHA 3.0 — ₹15L–₹1.5Cr Equity Funding for Digital Healthcare Startups is offered by IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation as a equity. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Evaluation moves through several clearly separated stages, with both internal and external reviewers involved.
- Initial shortlisting: entries are screened for alignment with the programme's focus areas, innovation potential, estimated market size and the funding requested.
- Peer review: shortlisted applications are reviewed by faculty members and technical experts from the DRISHTI CPS Foundation.
- Technical presentation: candidates present their work before internal and external domain experts.
- External Investment Committee: the final review panel brings together academics, industry leaders and healthcare experts. Projects are assessed through a 10-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A.
- Due diligence and documentation: selected candidates complete due diligence and sign agreements before any money moves.
Funds are then disbursed in milestones, on the External Investment Committee's recommendations.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to DISHA 3.0 — ₹15L–₹1.5Cr Equity Funding for Digital Healthcare Startups, 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.
Who this is best for
DISHA 3.0 — ₹15L–₹1.5Cr Equity Funding for Digital Healthcare Startups is best suited for startups in India seeking an equity investment of ₹15L – ₹1.5Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs DISHA 3.0 and what exactly is the programme?
It is run by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, the Technology Innovation Hub for System Simulation, Modelling and Visualization of Cyber-Physical Systems at IIT Indore. The Foundation is registered as a Section 8 company and has been upgraded to a Technology Translation Research Park (TTRP) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. DISHA 3.0 is its third edition of funding, following DISHA 1.0 and 2.0, and it focuses specifically on digital healthcare.
How much funding can a project receive under DISHA 3.0?
Projects receive between ₹15 lakh and ₹1.5 crore each. The amount is not paid out at once — it is disbursed against milestones, and the release schedule follows recommendations from the External Investment Committee.
Does DISHA 3.0 take equity in my startup?
Yes. This is an equity-linked programme rather than a plain grant, and up to 3% equity is typically transferred for the grant support, in line with NM-ICPS guidelines. Separately, if the Foundation facilitates a commercialisation deal or business opportunity, a revenue share of 15%–30% of net sales from that deal may apply, and follow-on funding arranged through the Foundation may attract a success fee of about 2%–5% of the investment amount.
Who is eligible to apply for DISHA 3.0?
Faculty members, students and medical professionals associated with approved higher education institutions across India can apply, including principal investigators who have a market-ready product. Independent innovators and DPIIT-recognised startups working in the specified domains are eligible too. There is a 20% reservation provision for SC-led projects within the eligible pool. Proposals must also be endorsed by the host institution or organisation.
What kind of technology is the programme looking for?
Cyber-Physical Systems technologies within digital healthcare — medical devices, wearables, point-of-care diagnostics, healthcare analytics, and solutions built on AI/ML, IoT and robotics. Your proof of concept should already be established and a prototype must be ready. Projects are judged on innovation, technical and practical feasibility, market potential, and societal or economic impact. This is strictly for commercialisation-focused work, not academic research.
Is DPIIT recognition required, and what entity type do I need?
DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory before any funds are transferred. Startups must be incorporated as Private Limited Companies, and existing LLPs must convert. If you are applying pre-incorporation, you can do so but must register within 3–6 months of project approval.
What is the deadline, and how do I apply?
Applications close on 15 September 2026. You apply through the online form at https://incubator.drishticps.org/fa/6a7187f15e4be7172e5d18fa. The form asks for a detailed concept note presentation covering the problem, your innovation, TRL, target users, competitors, market size, IP status and commercialisation strategy, along with a budget in the prescribed format. Depending on the application phase, keep ready a Host Institution Support Letter or Undertaking, any MoU or NDA, Letters of Interest from collaborators, ethical clearance certificates, professional video or pictures, and patent documents.
How are applications evaluated?
Entries are first shortlisted on alignment with focus areas, innovation potential, estimated market size and funding needs. Shortlisted proposals then go through peer review by faculty members and technical experts from the DRISHTI CPS Foundation, followed by a technical presentation before internal and external domain experts. The External Investment Committee — academics, industry leaders and healthcare experts — conducts the final review through a 10-minute presentation and a 10-minute Q&A. Selected candidates then complete due diligence and documentation.
Can grant money be used to buy equipment?
High-value equipment above ₹2 lakh is generally procured by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, and ownership of those assets stays with the Foundation. Such equipment must be made available to Foundation affiliate members at a nominal cost with a minimum 50% discount, and listed with the Foundation's shared national resources. Proposals where capital assets exceed 30% of the total grant are discouraged, and personal electronic devices such as laptops cannot be purchased through the grant.
What happens if the principal investigator or a student leaves or changes the host institution?
Funding for that project stops, and the host institution is required to inform the Foundation. Any unspent money must be returned within one month, along with the Utilization Certificate and the equipment. If the work is to continue at the new institution, you need a no-objection certificate from the current host and a fresh sanction letter.
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