Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak
₹35,000/month stipend for up to 12 months for Indian innovators building CPS prototypes pre-incorporation at IIT Madras Pravartak.
- Funding amount
- ₹4.2L (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Idea
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is a pre-incorporation grant for Indian innovators working on cyber-physical systems (CPS). It is run by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation — IIT Madras's Technology Innovation Hub under the NMICPS mission, headquartered at the IIT Madras Research Park, Taramani, Chennai. The program is designed for the stage before a company is incorporated. Pravartak takes on a single innovator with a CPS idea, provides a monthly stipend and infrastructure to convert that idea into a working prototype or pilot, and then channels them into Pravartak's incubation pipeline (PRAYAS, Seed Support System) for follow-on funding once the company is formed.
Highlights
- ₹35,000/month stipend for up to 12 months (up to ₹4.2 lakh total)
- Pre-incorporation grant — no company needed to apply
- IITM Pravartak lab access at IIT Madras Research Park
- Direct pipeline into PRAYAS / Seed Support System after prototype
- Preference for Hackathon and Grand Challenge winners
Who can apply
You must be an Indian citizen with an innovative idea in cyber-physical systems (specifically Sensors, Networking, Actuators, Control Systems) that has the potential to scale to a prototype and eventually a market product. The program is pre-incorporation — it's for individuals before they form a company. Preference is given to winners of Hackathons or Grand Challenge Competitions. You must be willing to engage with IITM Pravartak at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai during the EIR year.
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is open to startups at the idea stage working in deeptech electronics robotics. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India. Applicants should be registered as individual.
- Eligible stage
- Idea
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
- Entity type
- Individual
Deadline & timing
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak 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
You receive up to ₹35,000 per month for up to 12 months (cumulative up to ₹4.2 lakh). You also get technical mentorship from IIT Madras / IITM Pravartak's network, lab facility access at the IIT Madras Research Park, and a step into IITM Pravartak's PRAYAS and Seed Support System (SSS) schemes for post-incorporation funding once you have a working prototype.
About the provider
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is offered by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
- 1Account Signup
- 2Application Form
- 3Detailed Proposal Submission
- 4Technical Review Committee Screening
- 5TEC Presentation
- 6EIR Onboarding
- 7Periodic Milestone Review
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Submit a detailed proposal in IITM Pravartak's specified format covering your objective, milestones, and expenditure plan. The Technical Review Committee screens submissions. Shortlisted candidates are invited to present to the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), which evaluates the idea's innovation and market potential. Selected candidates are onboarded as EIRs. After onboarding, periodic milestone reviews by the technical review committee determine continued funding.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak, keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:
- Certificate of incorporation showing your startup is registered as individual
- 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
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is best suited for idea-stage deeptech electronics robotics startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹4.2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a registered company to apply for the EIR program?
No. The EIR program is specifically for pre-incorporation individuals. You apply as an individual innovator without any registered entity.
What is the total funding amount offered?
The program offers a stipend of up to ₹35,000 per month for a maximum of 12 months, totaling up to ₹4.2 lakh. Payment is contingent on milestone reviews.
What technology areas are supported?
IITM Pravartak only accepts proposals in cyber-physical system components: Sensors, Networking, Actuators, and Control Systems.
Is there an application deadline?
The program has a rolling or always open deadline. You can apply at any time through the IITM Pravartak incubation portal.
Who owns the intellectual property created during the EIR period?
Patents and technology ideas generated during the EIR are jointly owned by IITM Pravartak and the inventor(s). IITM Pravartak bears the patent filing costs and later licenses the IP back to your startup with a royalty clause. An exclusive license option may be available under agreed terms.
What documents are needed for the application?
You must complete an EIR application form covering personal details, citizenship, education, profession, and work location, and submit a detailed proposal in the specified format including your objective, milestones, and expenditure plan.
What happens after I complete the EIR year?
Once you have a working prototype, you can apply to IITM Pravartak's PRAYAS or Seed Support System schemes for follow-on funding to take your product to market.
Where do I need to be based during the program?
You should be willing to engage with IITM Pravartak at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai during the EIR year to use lab facilities and receive mentorship.
Does IITM Pravartak take equity or ask for repayment?
No equity or repayment is taken for the EIR grant itself. However, the IP licensing terms include a royalty clause. The program is non-dilutive as a stipend.
How do I apply?
Sign up on the IITM Pravartak incubation portal and create an EIR account. Submit your application form and detailed proposal. Selection involves screening by the Technical Review Committee and a presentation to the Technical Evaluation Committee.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who is eligible to apply for Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak?
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is open to startups at the idea stage working in deeptech electronics robotics. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India. Applicants should be registered as individual.
Who offers Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak?
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is offered by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
Alternatives to Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak
Not sure Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program at IITM Pravartak is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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