Applications Invited for DST-NIDHI Seed Support 2025

Follow us@ngobox

About the Organization

National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) is an umbrella programme conceived and developed by the Technology Translation and Innovation (TTI) Division, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups. The programme works in line with national priorities and goals, focusing on building an innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem with the objective of socio-economic development through wealth and job creation.

About the Grant

While the Incubators are able to support the “Space, Services and Knowledge” requirements of startups but, wide gap exists in financial support required by a technology driven start up in its initial phase which is not being addressed properly. The basic idea of seed support is providing financial assistance to potential startups with promising ideas, innovations and technologies. This 3 would enable some of these incubatee startups with innovative ideas/technologies to graduate to a level where they will be able to raise investments from angel/Venture capitalists or they will reach a position to seek loans from commercial banks /financial institutions. Thus the proposed seed support disbursed by an incubator to an incubatee is positioned to act as a bridge between development and commercialization of innovative technologies/products/services in a relatively hassle free manner.

NIDHI- SEED SUPPORT (SS) PROGRAM aims at providing financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization etc.

Objective

• The key objective of the NIDHI- SEED SUPPORT (SS) PROGRAM is to ensure timely availability of the seed support to the deserving incubatee startups within an incubator, thereby enabling them to take their venture to the next level and facilitate their success in the marketplace. The scheme also enables the incubators to widen their pipeline of startups and also share the success of their startups which would also result in ensuring their long term operational sustainability.

Usage of Funds

The funds can be used for the following:

• Product development: Procurement of equipment and tools, prototyping, testing and trials, raw material and consumables, fabrication, outsourcing of technical supports and services for the company’s product.

• Manpower: Salaries for team members can be apportioned.
• Marketing: For test marketing, sales, promotions of companies’ products and services including travelling only for business and product promotion.
• Mentoring: Seeking professional mentoring assistance.
• Professional services: For legal, accountancy, IP, marketing, strategy, regulatory compliance, certification, or any other justifiable professional services.
• Contingencies/Overrun:This shall not exceed 10% of the seed support.

For any other business operations purpose which needs to be justified in the application itself and as recommended/ approved by the Investment committee from time to time.

Eligibility

The applicant must be 

• An Indian registered entity as a private limited company, with a minimum of 51% shareholding by Indian Promoters. 
• The startup should be registered with DPIIT or obtain DPIIT certificate to avail the funding
• The Start-up should be incorporated as a private limited company 
• The applicant startup should have developed clarity on Unique Selling Proposition (USP) through customer validation and value proposition for its targeted customers.  
• An entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business shall not be considered a "Start-up"
• Support is not meant for-Indian subsidiaries of MNCs/foreign companies.
• Start-up cannot receive NIDHI Seed funding more than once from any source and from any of the incubators
• Funding support should not be only for capital expenditure 
• The application should mandatorily include a declaration by applying start-up that they have not received any NIDHI-seed support from any other DST supported incubator.
• Overseas Citizens of India-OCI and Persons of Indian Origin-PIO are considered as Indian citizens for the purpose of this scheme

How to Apply

Applications for the seed fund will be subject to two level of review process:

• Internal review by experts
• Selected team will be invited to present before the Investment Committee (IC)

Broad criteria for review criteria will include (but not limited to):

• Technology & Innovation
• Team with relevant skill sets, and execution capability
• Clear value proposition and competitive advantage
• Customer segment, Size of market or potential for significant impact
• Intellectual property
• Roadmap with clearly defined milestones especially with regards to product development and visibility for revenue generation.
• Regulatory/certification/policy risks

For more information please check the Link

Tags Innovations and Technology Others