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NIDHI, Government of India

1 resource from NIDHI, Government of India we point founders to, and the questions each answers.

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This is the one scheme built for the exact moment you describe: an idea and no company. NIDHI-PRAYAS funds up to 10 lakh to turn a concept into a working prototype, and its eligibility explicitly names students, researchers and innovators (no incorporation required). You apply through a PRAYAS Centre at a nearby incubator, which also hands you fab-lab bench space and mentoring, so your inexperience is the qualifier, not the disqualifier.

NIDHI-PRAYAS: Proof-of-Concept Grant for Young Innovators (DST)

From NIDHI, Government of India by Department of Science and Technology (NIDHI Programme) portal page

  • Grant up to 10 lakh for prototype / proof-of-concept, before you have revenue or a registered company
  • Open to students, researchers and individual innovators, not just formed startups
  • Applications route through designated PRAYAS Centres at host incubators, which also give workspace and mentoring
Open nidhi.dst.gov.in →
Answers What free money and support exists specifically for first-time and student founders who've never raised anything?
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