Applications Invited for Indo-German InnoXchange Programme

About the Organization

The Technology Translation, and Innovation (TTI) Division of Department of Science and Technology (DST) plays a pivotal role in driving scientific and technological advancements in the country. A key component of the TTI Division is the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) Program, which focuses on nurturing start-ups and individual innovators. This program exemplifies the division’s commitment to translating research into practical applications, fostering innovation, and promoting entrepreneurship in technology. The TTI Division facilitates collaborations with industry and academia, supports policy development in science and technology, and provides crucial funding for innovative projects and for conversion of Proof-of-Concepts for technologies /techniques/ processes/ products into advanced prototypes for validation and demonstration. The Division has also supported many projects for the development of instruments/devices/technologies at various R&D institutions.

About the Fellowship

The Indo-German InnoXchange Programme is a bilateral initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) represented through the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH), New Delhi and will be executed by SINE on behalf of DST.

The programme aims to establish a systematic exchange format between the Indian and German deep-tech startup and entrepreneurship ecosystems, fostering collaboration among startups, incubators, accelerators, universities, and research institutions.

The delegation from India to Germany under Indo-German InnoXchange Programme would consist of 10 innovators/ startups/ deep-tech founders/ early-stage entrepreneurs/ incubation heads/ incubation managers, along with officials from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; for a series of meetings, workshops with incubators, start-ups and ecosystem enablers, visit to start-up centers and research labs in Germany and other relevant networking events; along with participation in a related DeepTech startup event in Germany; for 5 days (excluding journey time).

Objectives of the Programme

The key objectives include:

• Facilitating bilateral exchange and exposure visits for incubator leaders and startup founders
• Increase knowledge sharing for incubation managers on good practices of each other’s innovation ecosystem.
• Exploring market access opportunities or any other potential collaborations.
• To promote knowledge exchange on deep-tech commercialization, joint technology development, funding mechanisms, incubation management, international market access, and IP strategies.

Eligibility

For Incubators to be part of the delegation

• The incubators with a prior experience of 7 years and proven track record for incubation will be eligible to apply.
• Preference will be given to the incubators
• Supported deep tech startups.
• Well-formed team
• Managed various funding programs
• Participation in any cross-border / bilateral or international programs
• The incubator will nominate their representative on the basis on the following –
• The nominated representative should have a minimum of 5–7 years of experience working in startup/incubation ecosystem.
• Should have closely worked /engaged/ mentored startups, led collaborations, managed programs etc.
• Preference will be given if the representative has been a part of any cross-border / international / soft landing programs

For Startups to be part of the delegation

• Applications from startups are sought through nominations from incubators.
• The nominated startups should be from TRL 4 to 6 and preferably to have some relevance in terms of the exposure to the German ecosystem.
• The primary focus shall be on deep-tech startups.
• The nominated founder must hold a minimum of 51% shareholding in the startup.
• The startup’s age must be in accordance with the norms prescribed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• The startups nominations should be broadly from the domains like Energy, Climate, Health Tech Semiconductor, Quantum computing, and other relevant deep tech innovations.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: 10th April, 2026

To Apply: Please Click Here

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Innovations and Technology Research Leadership