DST NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI SSP) at IKP EDEN — Up to ₹1Cr

DST NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI SSP) is a national seed-funding scheme run on the ground by IKP EDEN, the incubation arm of IKP Knowledge Park in Bengaluru. This is Call 2 of the programme, and it targets technology-led ventures that need capital to carry a working prototype through to a commercially viable business.

Awardees can receive up to ₹1 crore as grant support. The money does not arrive in one shot: it is released against agreed milestones, so a company draws down funds as it clears product, validation and go-to-market targets.

Capital is only one part of the offer. Startups taken into the programme work inside the wider IKP EDEN ecosystem, with mentorship from industry practitioners, use of the park's technical infrastructure, labs and prototyping facilities, and introductions to industry partners, investor networks and market-access channels.

This is not a programme for concepts on paper. Applicants are expected to have moved past the idea stage and to hold at least a proof of concept, a working prototype or an early MVP. They should also be able to name the problem they are solving, the customer they sell to and the route they will take to market. The purpose is to close the early-stage funding gap that so often stalls technology companies between validating a product, getting it certified and winning first commercial sales.

Applications for this call close on 15 August 2026.

• Up to ₹1 crore in seed funding from the DST NIDHI Seed Support Program
• Grant support released in tranches tied to agreed milestones
• Delivered by IKP EDEN at IKP Knowledge Park, Bengaluru
• Open to technology startups with a PoC, prototype or MVP
• Includes mentorship, labs, prototyping, investor and market access
• Applications close 15 August 2026

To be considered for this call, a startup should meet the following conditions:

• Registered Indian entity — the applicant must be a registered Indian company or startup, and at least 51% of the ownership must be Indian.
• Technology-led product — the venture must be building a genuinely innovative, technology-led product or solution with realistic prospects of commercialisation and scale.
• Beyond the idea stage — a proof of concept, prototype or MVP should already exist.
• Clarity of market — a defined problem, an identified target customer or market, and a stated commercialisation pathway.
• First-time NIDHI SSP applicant — startups that have already received seed support under the NIDHI Seed Support Program are not eligible.
• Post-selection compliance — selected startups must meet IKP EDEN's incubation requirements and the conditions attached to the NIDHI-SSP scheme.
• DPIIT recognition — Startup India (DPIIT) recognition is preferred, though it is not compulsory.

The scheme is open to technology startups across a broad set of sectors. Agritech, AI, Biotech, Clean Tech, Deeptech, Healthcare, Medtech, Robotics and Space & Defense are among the areas covered.

DST NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI SSP) at IKP EDEN — Up to ₹1Cr is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for DST NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI SSP) at IKP EDEN — Up to ₹1Cr closed on 15 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Every selected startup is eligible for up to ₹1 crore in seed support, released in tranches tied to milestones rather than as a single lump sum. The capital is meant to be spent on what moves a technology venture forward: further product development, technology validation, pilot deployment and the push towards commercialisation.

Alongside the cheque, the programme wraps the company in incubation support at IKP EDEN. In practice that means:

• mentorship from industry leaders and domain experts;
• use of labs, prototyping facilities and other advanced technical infrastructure;
• industry connections that open doors to partners and customers;
• investor networking that positions the startup for follow-on funding;
• market access initiatives that help convert early traction into adoption.

The overall intent is to help a company survive the early-stage funding crunch, prove its technology in the field, and become a stronger candidate for the next round of capital.

DST NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI SSP) at IKP EDEN — Up to ₹1Cr is offered by IKP Knowledge Park (Bengaluru), a startup incubator. It is delivered directly by IKP Knowledge Park (Bengaluru) as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Assessment happens in stages.

1. Initial screening — IKP EDEN reviews every application against the programme's criteria and filters out those that do not fit.
2. Detailed evaluation — shortlisted startups are invited to go deeper. This can involve presentations, extended discussions with experts and thorough due diligence on the business and the technology.
3. Investment Committee decision — the final call on funding rests with the designated Investment Committee, which approves support strictly according to the applicable NIDHI-SSP guidelines and criteria.

An invitation to the evaluation round is a shortlisting step, not a guarantee of funding.

Before you apply to DST NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI SSP) at IKP EDEN — Up to ₹1Cr, 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.

DST NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI SSP) at IKP EDEN — Up to ₹1Cr is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.