Intro
Deshpande Startups plays a vital role in supporting innovators and entrepreneurs by providing funding avenues tailored to startups at different stages of growth. Through initiatives like NIDHI PRAYAS, we offer seed funds and grants, championing our founder-first approach.
This program is part of the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), a comprehensive effort by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.
NIDHI PRAYAS
NIDHI PRAYAS: Support from Idea to Prototype is a scheme under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI). This program targets the early stage of idea or proof-of-concept funding, aiming to facilitate the transition from innovative concepts to tangible prototypes. Deshpande Startups, an approved NIDHI-PRAYAS centre by DST, Government of India, since March 2020, encourages students, graduates, professionals, and startups with innovative ideas to apply for prototyping grants.
Objectives of NIDHI-PRAYAS
- Translate innovative ideas into prototypes.
- Accelerate experimentation and the idea-to-market journey.
- Generate innovative solutions for local and global issues.
- Attract youth to work on technology-based startups.
- Establish an innovation ecosystem connecting innovators, academia, mentors, and incubators.
