Applicants can be individual innovators or early-stage startups.

• An individual innovator without having a startup or founder of a startup can apply. In such a case,
  • The applicant must be an Indian Citizen with government-approved proof of nationality with a minimum of 18 years of age, as on the date of application.
  • If the applicant works in a team with other innovators, there must be an agreement among the team about the lead innovator who would apply,
  • All fund transfers will be to the lead innovator’s account post-selection.
  • IP generated would vest with the innovator or the team as per the agreement.


• In the case of an applicant being a co-founder of a Startup,
  • The applicant must be an Indian citizen with government-approved proof of nationality with a minimum of 18 years of age, as on the date of application.
  • The startup should be incorporated in India with a minimum of 51% of its equity held by Indian citizens. The startup should not exceed 7 years of existence from the incorporation date.
  • The startup should not have received support from any government-funded agency.
  • The startup turnover should be less than Rs. 25 lakhs for any of the financial years since its inception.
  • IP generated is agreeable to be vested with the startup.


• All selected/approved applicants will have to agree to incubate under respective programs of Deshpande Startups as per its policy/terms for a period of 12 - 14 months.

It is a support given to develop the hardware prototype for your startup idea. The NIDHI PRAYAS grant is a proof-of-concept grant for converting an idea into a prototype. The ideas should be technology-driven.