Next Bharat Residency Program — Eligibility Criteria

This program is open to for-profit companies that are already generating revenue and demonstrating early market traction, specifically targeting India's urban informal economy (India 2) or rural economy (India 3). Eligible ventures should aim to increase incomes for low-income communities and be planning to raise equity funding in the next 3-6 months. The company's top equity holder must commit to full-time attendance during the entire program, including all in-person sessions; co-founders may attend as needed but cannot substitute the primary founder. The program is particularly suited to impact-focused businesses in sectors like agriculture, food processing, rural livelihoods, artisan crafts, waste management, and other similarly aligned areas, where ventures generate measurable social alongside commercial returns. Applicants must be structured as a private limited company or an LLP. There are no state-level restrictions, and DPIIT or MSME registration is not required.

Next Bharat Residency Program is open to startups at the revenue stage working in agri food rural, edtech social impact and climate energy ev. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India. Applicants should be registered as private limited and llp.