HIYIC 2026: Up to ₹30L Grant for Handloom Innovators — Frequently Asked Questions

The challenge is open to young innovators, early-stage startups and founders, researchers, industry professionals, individual weavers, and weaver associations/cooperatives. There is no restriction on startup stage or sector, as long as the solution targets the handloom ecosystem.

HIYIC 2026 seeks transformative solutions across five themes: Farm (sustainable materials, natural dyes, farmer-weaver linkages), Fibre (yarn innovation, fibre processing, recycled materials), Factory (loom innovation, digital tools, sustainable manufacturing), Fashion (contemporary design, branding, customer experiences), and Foreign (global market access, export strategies, international branding). Solutions should leverage technology, promote sustainability, or introduce design innovation.

The challenge offers seed funding of up to ₹30 lakh for promising innovations. This is a non-dilutive grant, meaning no equity is taken from your company.

No, the seed funding is equity-free. It is a grant designed to support prototype development, market validation, or initial scaling without requiring you to give up any ownership stake.

Beyond seed funding, participants benefit from mentorship by industry experts, access to markets and strategic partnerships, and membership in a community of like-minded innovators. These resources help with technology, business, and impact development.

Applications for HIYIC 2026 close on July 23, 2026. Be sure to submit your application and pitch deck before this date.

You need to complete the online application form available on the designated portal (provided on the program's official page). Along with the form, you must submit a pitch deck or detailed proposal outlining your innovation, its value proposition, technical feasibility, market potential, and projected impact on the handloom ecosystem.

No, there is no requirement for DPIIT or MSME registration mentioned for HIYIC 2026. The challenge is open to all eligible participants regardless of such registrations.

The application requires detailed information about you and your team, a comprehensive description of your solution, and its relevance to the handloom sector and chosen theme. Additionally, you must submit a pitch deck or detailed proposal covering your innovation, unique value proposition, technical feasibility, market potential, and projected impact.

HIYIC 2026: Up to ₹30L Grant for Handloom Innovators is offered by AIC IIT Delhi (Atal Incubation Centre, IIT Delhi), an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.