DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras
An 8-week hybrid boot camp run by DST and GDC, IIT Madras, that helps deep-tech teams and early-stage startups turn STEM research into market-ready ventures through mentorship, customer discovery and business training.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- GDC, IIT Madras (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The I-NCUBATE Program is a joint effort of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Gopalakrishnan-Deshpande Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GDC) at IIT Madras. Its tenth cohort is aimed at deep-tech teams whose work originates in Indian university and laboratory settings, with the goal of moving inventions out of the lab and into the market rather than leaving them as research output.
The format is an 8-week hybrid boot camp. Teams travel to IIT Madras for hands-on workshops and also join webinars online each week, one-on-one office hours with instructors, and mentoring sessions led by business experts. Customer discovery sits at the centre of the curriculum — participants are expected to hold many stakeholder conversations in order to test their assumptions and refine how they describe their value.
The program is designed to shift innovations from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-5 closer towards market readiness. Just as importantly, it works on the people behind the technology, building an entrepreneurial mindset, business acumen and the practical skills needed to commercialise STEM research. Both partners position the initiative as part of a broader push to encourage technology-inspired entrepreneurship in India.
Highlights
- 8-week hybrid boot camp run jointly by DST and GDC, IIT Madras
- Designed for deep-tech STEM innovations at TRL 3-5
- Compulsory in-person opening workshop at IIT Madras, with travel and stay reimbursed
- Cohort 10 is scheduled to start on 25 October 2026; applications run on a rolling basis
- Teams of 3-4 members, with one Faculty Lead and 2-3 Entrepreneur Leads
- Heavy emphasis on customer discovery, mentorship and business-model training
Who can apply
The cohort is built for teams working on STEM innovations at Indian universities and laboratories — whether they come as research groups or as early-stage startups. Members are typically faculty, researchers, students or independent innovators.
Key conditions:
- Technology stage: the innovation should sit between TRL 3 (initial prototype) and TRL 5, and the team should have a working prototype or some proof of the technology.
- Team size and roles: 3-4 members per team, including at least one Faculty Lead or Principal Investigator who is the technical expert, plus 2-3 Entrepreneur Leads who want to become founders.
- Team history: the core members should have been working together on the innovation for at least six months.
- Intent: a clear commitment to founding a scalable deep-tech venture based on the research.
- Time commitment: Faculty Leads should set aside roughly 40 hours across the 8 weeks; Entrepreneur Leads are expected to give at least 50 hours of instruction and office hours, plus around 50% of their working hours every week for customer interviews and preparation. 100% attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras 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
DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
This is not a cash-grant or equity scheme. The direct financial support is limited to reimbursement of travel and stay expenses for the compulsory in-person opening workshop at IIT Madras, settled as per GDC norms. Nothing is invested in the venture and no stake is taken in it.
What teams gain instead is training, mentorship and access:
- Entrepreneurial training in widely used business tools such as the Value Proposition Canvas and the Business Model Canvas, plus coaching on how to interview stakeholders and present an idea.
- Mentorship from mentors and instructors assigned by GDC, drawing on the technology and startup ecosystem around IIT Madras.
- Customer discovery support to help teams locate early-adopter segments and pressure-test their assumptions.
- Strategy guidance on scaling the technology, reaching product-market fit and preparing for fundraising.
- Networking, incubation-style support and workshops within a deep-tech community.
Overall, the program aims to leave founders equipped to build scalable, high-impact ventures from their research.
About the provider
DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras is offered by GDC, IIT Madras, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by GDC, IIT Madras as a grant. 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
Selection runs in a short, clearly defined sequence:
- Application form: submit the online application with every section completed accurately.
- Initial review: Team GDC screens the submissions received and shortlists the promising ones.
- Online interview: shortlisted teams are invited to an online interview with Team GDC, which is a critical part of the decision.
- Assessment criteria: the committee weighs the strength of the deep-tech innovation, prototype maturity at TRL 3-5, entrepreneurial commitment, team composition, and the potential for scalable socio-economic impact.
- Selection letter and onboarding: successful teams receive an official Selection Letter and, once they accept, are onboarded into the upcoming cohort.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras, 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Program?
It is an 8-week hybrid boot camp run jointly by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Gopalakrishnan-Deshpande Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GDC) at IIT Madras. Its focus is helping research teams and early-stage startups take deep-tech innovations out of STEM research and towards commercialisation. Cohort 10 is the current edition.
How much funding does the program provide?
There is no direct grant or investment. The financial support offered is reimbursement of travel and stay costs for attending the mandatory in-person opening workshop at IIT Madras, provided as per GDC norms. The rest of the value comes as training, mentorship, customer discovery and networking support rather than cash.
Does the program take equity in my startup?
No. The program takes no equity stake and makes no investment in your venture, so your ownership remains untouched. It is a non-dilutive support program — you get the training, mentorship and customer-discovery help without giving up any share of your company.
Who is eligible to apply?
Research teams and early-stage startups built on STEM work from Indian universities and laboratories. Members are typically faculty, researchers, students or innovators. You should have a working prototype or proof of technology at TRL 3-5, a team of 3-4 people including at least one Faculty Lead or Principal Investigator and 2-3 Entrepreneur Leads, and a core group that has worked together for at least six months.
What stage should our technology be at?
The innovation should fall between TRL 3, or initial prototype, and TRL 5. In practice that means the team should already have a working prototype or some form of proof of the technology rather than only a concept on paper.
How much time does the program demand from the team?
It is intensive. Faculty Leads should plan for roughly 40 hours across the 8 weeks, covering workshops and webinars. Entrepreneur Leads need at least 50 hours of instruction and office hours, plus about half of their working hours every week for customer interviews and preparatory work, for the full duration of the program. Attendance at all sessions is 100% mandatory.
Do we need a registered patent or a published paper to apply?
No. A registered patent or a publication is not a prerequisite. However, the team should either already hold valid registered intellectual property or be able to demonstrate the intent and capability to create IP based on the innovation.
When does Cohort 10 start, and what is the application deadline?
Cohort 10 is scheduled to begin on 25 October 2026. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and specific deadlines are communicated once your completed form has been submitted and reviewed.
How do I apply, and what happens after I submit?
You apply by filling in the online application form with all the required details. Team GDC then reviews submissions and shortlists candidates. Shortlisted teams are called for an online interview, and those finally selected receive an official Selection Letter. After you accept it, you are formally onboarded into the upcoming cohort.
What does the 8-week program actually involve?
Participants move through a mix of in-person workshops at IIT Madras, webinars held online every week, one-on-one office hours with instructors and mentoring sessions with business experts. A large share of the effort goes into customer discovery exercises, where teams speak with many stakeholders to validate assumptions and sharpen their value proposition, alongside training in business tools and scaling strategy.
Is DPIIT recognition required for DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras?
DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 10 — Deep-Tech Boot Camp at IIT Madras is offered by GDC, IIT Madras, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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