UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 – Runway Incubator

The UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 is a dedicated grant program spearheaded by the Runway Incubator at UPES. It operates under the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) i-TBI scheme, aiming to bolster early-stage innovation across India.

This initiative provides crucial financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh to promising innovators and startups. The funding is specifically targeted at those developing solutions in key technological domains, including DeepTech, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), AgriTech, and Sustainability Technology. The program supports participants through the critical initial phases, from refining an idea and developing a proof-of-concept (PoC) to building a functional prototype and validating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Beyond the financial grant, participants benefit from comprehensive, end-to-end support for research and development, product iteration, and technical validation. This includes structured mentorship from seasoned industry experts and access to the robust incubation ecosystem provided by Runway Incubator at UPES, Dehradun. Innovators also gain valuable connections to a network of mentors and potential investors, leveraging the institutional infrastructure of UPES, which hosts one of Uttarakhand's few DST-supported Technology Business Incubators.

The Ignition Grant, part of DST's NIDHI i-TBI framework, represents a well-established and respected mechanism for funding pre-revenue deep technology innovations in India. This second iteration at UPES underscores a growing commitment to nurturing the startup landscape, particularly within Uttarakhand and its surrounding regions, while remaining open to applicants nationwide. For founders at the ideation or early prototype stage in the specified sectors, this program offers essential capital and enhances credibility during a pivotal pre-commercial development phase.

• Grant funding of up to ₹10 lakh for early-stage innovators.
• Focus on DeepTech, AI/ML, AgriTech, and Sustainability Technology solutions.
• Open to students, researchers, and early-stage startups at ideation to MVP stages.
• Non-dilutive grant under the DST NIDHI i-TBI scheme.
• Comprehensive incubation support, expert mentorship, and access to UPES infrastructure.
• Application deadline: June 10, 2026.

The UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 welcomes applications from a broad spectrum of early-stage innovators.

Applicants can be students, researchers, or nascent startups currently at the ideation, Proof-of-Concept (PoC), prototype development, or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage. A core requirement is that the innovation must fall within one of the program's designated focus areas: DeepTech, AI and ML, AgriTech, or Sustainability Technology.

Importantly, there is no minimum revenue requirement; both pre-revenue and even pre-incorporation applicants are fully eligible to apply.

While UPES is based in Uttarakhand, the program is open to innovators from across India, with no stated geographic restrictions for applicants.

Applications for UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 – Runway Incubator are open and the current deadline is Closes in 5d (10 Jun 2026). Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.

Selected innovators will receive a substantial grant of up to ₹10 lakh. This non-dilutive financial support, provided under the DST NIDHI i-TBI framework, is specifically allocated for critical development activities such as prototype creation, proof-of-concept validation, and Minimum Viable Product (MVP) validation.

Beyond the capital, the program offers extensive non-monetary benefits. These include end-to-end technical support to guide product development, expert mentorship from industry leaders, and full access to Runway Incubator's state-of-the-art incubation infrastructure located at UPES.

UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 – Runway Incubator is offered by Runway Incubator, UPES, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Runway Incubator, UPES as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 – Runway Incubator, 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.

UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 – Runway Incubator is best suited for idea and product-stage deeptech electronics robotics, ai saas enterprise and agri food rural startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.