NIDHI Seed Support Program at AIC Banasthali (For Women Entrepreneurs)

The NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI-SSP), an initiative from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, offers early-stage capital through accredited incubators. AIC Banasthali Vidyapith specifically channels this funding towards women-led startups, primarily focusing on science and technology ventures, though not exclusively.

This funding is intended for startups that have moved past the initial concept stage and require timely financial backing to build a solid foundation before pursuing further investment rounds from angel investors, venture capitalists, or banks.

The seed support can be used for various operational needs and development activities, including:

• Daily operations
• Proof-of-concept studies
• Product development and prototyping
• Hiring personnel
• Professional consulting and mentorship
• Market research
• Intellectual property costs
• Bridging funding gaps
• Conducting validation studies crucial for future fundraising

The investment is structured as equity or equity-linked instruments, meaning it is not a grant. While the average investment is around ₹25 lakh, high-potential ventures may secure up to ₹50 lakh, at the discretion of the Seed Support Management Committee.

AIC Banasthali will appoint either a Board Nominee Director or an observer to the funded startups. A key benefit of applying through AIC Banasthali is that its NIDHI-SSP fund is exclusively for women entrepreneurs, creating a more focused and less competitive application environment compared to general NIDHI-SSP programs.

• Up to ₹50 lakh in seed funding
• Exclusively for women-led startups
• Requires incubation at AIC Banasthali
• Equity or equity-linked investment
• Backed by DST NIDHI-SSP
• Deadline: June 20, 2026

This program is open to registered Indian companies, typically Private Limited Companies or LLPs. Applicants must have completed a minimum of three months of physical incubation or residency at AIC Banasthali by the time of investment.

A crucial requirement is that the startup's Indian promoter shareholding must be at least 51%. For this specific program, women founders must hold the maximum shareholding. Indian subsidiaries of multinational or foreign companies are not eligible; however, OCI/PIO promoters are considered Indian citizens for the purpose of this scheme.

Recipients of this program gain access to crucial equity-linked seed capital. Beyond funding, startups benefit from the comprehensive support ecosystem of AIC Banasthali, which includes:

• Mentorship
• Lab infrastructure
• Regulatory assistance
• Intellectual property guidance

The appointment of a board nominee or observer ensures strong governance. Additionally, funded startups become part of the DST-NIDHI alumni network, fostering connections with other ventures that have received seed funding.

The Seed Support Management Committee at AIC Banasthali conducts the initial evaluation of applications. This committee assesses several key areas:

• The startup's innovation
• The strength of its founding team
• Existing market traction
• The proposed plan for fund utilization
• The startup's readiness to accept equity-linked investment

Candidates who are shortlisted will then deliver a pitch presentation to the committee. Following this, a final investment decision is made, and a term sheet is issued.