NIDHI-Seed Support Program at AIC-RNTU Foundation

The NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI-SSP) is a Government of India initiative promoted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It offers early-stage funding to help startups move from development to market readiness. AIC-RNTU Foundation, an incubator located in Madhya Pradesh, administers this financial assistance as a grant. The goal is to enable startups to reach a stage where they can attract private investment or secure commercial loans, thereby bridging the gap between product development and commercialization of innovative technologies.

• Grant of up to ₹50 lakh, no equity required.
• Administered by AIC-RNTU Foundation, a DST-supported incubator.
• Open only to startups that have been incubated (resident or virtual) for at least 3 months.
• DPIIT registration mandatory.
• Preference for startups without prior government funding.
• Indian promoter shareholding must be at least 51% (OCI/PIO considered Indian).

To apply, your startup must:

• Be a company registered in India with a DPIIT registration.
• Have completed at least 3 months in the AIC-RNTU Foundation's resident or virtual incubation program.
• Have developed a clear Unique Selling Proposition (USP) backed by customer validation.
• Ensure that Indian promoters hold at least 51% shareholding. For this scheme, 'Indian citizens' includes holders of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO).
• Preference is given to startups that have not previously received any funding from a Government of India or State Government body.

NIDHI-Seed Support Program at AIC-RNTU Foundation is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

NIDHI-Seed Support Program at AIC-RNTU Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

Selected startups receive a grant of up to ₹50 lakh. This funding is non-dilutive, meaning no equity is taken. The grant serves as initial capital to help startups advance their product, validate their market, and become investor-ready. It acts as a bridge between the development phase and commercial launch, covering expenses related to technology development, prototype creation, market testing, and other early-stage needs.

NIDHI-Seed Support Program at AIC-RNTU Foundation is offered by AIC-RNTU Foundation, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by AIC-RNTU Foundation as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to NIDHI-Seed Support Program at AIC-RNTU Foundation, 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.

NIDHI-Seed Support Program at AIC-RNTU Foundation is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹50L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.