TiHAN PRAYAS / EIR Program

The TiHAN PRAYAS / Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Program is an initiative by the iTIC Incubator at IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with TiHAN – IIT Hyderabad. This program is specifically designed to foster innovation among idea-stage entrepreneurs and early innovators.

Its core objective is to help these innovators transform their novel concepts into functional prototypes, particularly within the critical domains of Autonomous Navigation and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

The program places a strong emphasis on deep-tech mobility and autonomous systems. Participants benefit from a robust ecosystem that provides access to advanced infrastructure, expert mentorship, and specialized technical testbeds, all crucial for the experimentation, prototyping, and early validation of high-impact technologies.

• Grant funding of up to ₹10 lakh.
• Supports idea-stage and Proof-of-Concept innovators.
• Focus on Autonomous Navigation and UAVs.
• Offered by iTIC Incubator, IIT Hyderabad.
• Access to advanced infrastructure and expert mentorship.
• Application deadline: January 24, 2026.

This program is open to entrepreneurs and startups who are currently at the idea, concept, or Proof-of-Concept (PoC) stage. Applicants must be innovators actively working in the fields of autonomous navigation, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or other related deep-tech domains. Both individuals and teams are eligible to submit applications. A key requirement for all applicants is a willingness to actively engage in pre-incubation and prototype development activities as part of the program.

TiHAN PRAYAS / EIR Program is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for TiHAN PRAYAS / EIR Program closed on 24 Jan 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Recipients of the TiHAN PRAYAS / EIR Program can receive a grant of up to ₹10 lakh to support their innovative projects. Beyond financial assistance, the program offers crucial non-monetary benefits, including access to advanced infrastructure, specialized expert mentorship, and state-of-the-art technical testbeds. This comprehensive support system is designed to facilitate the development and validation of high-impact deep-tech mobility and autonomous systems.

TiHAN PRAYAS / EIR Program is offered by iTIC Incubator, IIT Hyderabad, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by iTIC Incubator, IIT Hyderabad as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to TiHAN PRAYAS / EIR Program, 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.

TiHAN PRAYAS / EIR Program is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.