FutureSites Innovation Program by CII CIES

The FutureSites Innovation Program is a collaborative effort between DPIIT Startup India and the CII Centre of Excellence for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Startups. This initiative is conducted in partnership with a prominent Oil and Gas corporate retail business unit.

Its primary goal is to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation retail technology solutions. The program achieves this by enabling startups to address and resolve real-world operational challenges within live retail environments.

The program focuses on three critical areas: enhancing agentic store operations, modernizing and improving observability of store and head office infrastructure, and developing AI-enabled platforms for comprehensive customer personalization. Selected startups are provided with a unique opportunity to validate, pilot, and ultimately scale their innovative solutions alongside an enterprise partner. This structured approach facilitates quicker market access, robust business validation, and clear pathways to revenue generation.

FutureSites is specifically designed for startups that are prepared for scaling and can demonstrate a measurable business impact. It offers structured validation processes, mentorship from CXO-level executives, and prospects for nationwide solution rollout, all without any application or participation fees.

• Joint initiative by DPIIT Startup India and CII Centre of Excellence.
• Partners with a leading Oil and Gas corporate retail business unit.
• Focuses on accelerating next-generation retail technology solutions.
• Offers grant funding (amount varies) and is non-dilutive.
• Provides structured validation, CXO-level mentorship, and nationwide rollout opportunities.
• Application deadline: February 15, 2026.

The FutureSites Innovation Program targets high-potential startups that are developing scalable technology solutions specifically for the retail sector.

Key eligibility criteria include:

• The proposed solution must directly address one or more of the program's defined challenge areas.
• The product should already be tested or in its early stages of deployment.
• The founders or core team members must possess relevant domain expertise in their field.
• The solution needs to demonstrate technical, operational, and commercial scalability.
• Startups must have the capability to run a pilot within a timeframe of 1 to 3 months.
• The startup's age must be less than 10 years.
• International startups are also eligible to apply, provided they can deploy their pilots within India.

FutureSites Innovation Program by CII CIES is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for FutureSites Innovation Program by CII CIES closed on 15 Feb 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

The FutureSites Innovation Program offers grant funding, the specific amount of which varies based on the solution and program assessment. As a grant program, it is non-dilutive, meaning participating startups retain full equity in their company.

Beyond financial support, selected startups gain significant non-monetary benefits:

• Opportunities to validate, pilot, and scale their solutions directly with an enterprise partner.
• Accelerated market access and robust business validation.
• Clear pathways for revenue generation.
• Structured validation processes to refine their offerings.
• CXO-level mentorship from experienced industry leaders.
• Potential for nationwide rollout of their solutions across the partner's network.

FutureSites Innovation Program by CII CIES is offered by CII Centre of Excellence, a non-profit foundation. It is delivered directly by CII Centre of Excellence as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

The selection process for the FutureSites Innovation Program involves several distinct stages to identify promising startups.

Initially, interested startups are required to submit their applications online during the designated call for applications. This is followed by a comprehensive screening and shortlisting phase, where eligible startups are identified based on the program's criteria.

Shortlisted founders then proceed to engage in discussions and evaluation rounds with a panel of experts. This stage allows for a deeper assessment of the startup's solution, team, and scalability potential.

Upon final selection, successful startups are onboarded into the acceleration phase of the program. During this phase, participants actively engage in pilots, receive mentorship, and undertake validation activities. The program culminates in a Demo Day, providing a platform for startups to showcase their innovative solutions to key enterprise stakeholders and potential investors.

Before you apply to FutureSites Innovation Program by CII CIES, 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.