Mookerji Innovation Fund – MIF (BITS Pilani)
Offered By - BITS Pilani
About the Program
The Mookerji Innovation Fund (MIF) is specifically designed for BITS Pilani students and recent alumni (within 5 years) who want to build startups—from idea stage to early growth. If your startup has at least one BITSian founder, this program is built directly for you.
MIF is an initiative by PIEDS (BITS Pilani) that provides equity-based funding, structured mentorship, and access to a strong founder community. It supports both early-stage ideas and startups preparing to scale, making it relevant across multiple stages of the startup journey.
Selected startups receive funding ranging from INR 5 lakh to INR 50 lakh, along with mentorship from Silicon Road Ventures, PIEDS, and partner organizations. The program also creates a pathway to global exposure, including access to US-based mentors and potential follow-on investments from Silicon Road Ventures.
A key component is the Campus Engagement Track, which offers a 3-month mentorship program, bootcamps, and customized sessions tailored to each startup. This makes it especially useful for founders still shaping their ideas or validating early traction.
Additionally, startups gain:
- Access to structured startup-building frameworks
- A strong peer network of BITSian founders
- Exposure to institutional VC funding ($250K–$5M potential follow-on)
- Opportunities to explore entry into the US market
From a founder’s perspective, this program is most relevant if you are part of the BITS ecosystem and want a high-trust, founder-first environment to build early momentum. It’s especially useful if you’re still validating your idea or preparing for your first institutional raise.
Offerings / Benefits:
- Equity-based funding: INR 5L to 50L
- Mentorship from Silicon Road Ventures, PIEDS, and partners
- 3-month structured mentorship program (Campus Engagement Track)
- Bootcamps and customized startup sessions
- Access to BITSian founder community
- Exposure to global mentors (including US-based teams)
- Potential follow-on funding from Silicon Road Ventures
- Access to US market opportunities (for select startups)
Sectors Supported:
- Sector-agnostic
- Preference areas include:
- DeepTech
- Women-led startups
- Student-led startups
- Moonshot / high-risk ideas
Funding & Benefits
This program offers a combination of financial support, mentorship, and ecosystem access to help startups grow and scale their solutions effectively.
Corporate Partnerships
Funding
Global Market Access
Go-To-market & Business Strategy
Mentorship
Networking
Workshops
Beyond funding, programs like this provide credibility, exposure, and strategic support that can significantly accelerate a startup’s growth journey.
Who Can Apply / Eligibility
- Current students from BITS Pilani campuses (Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Dubai)
- Alumni who graduated within the last 5 years
- At least one founder must be a BITSian
- Open to idea-stage as well as early-stage startups
- Incorporation is not mandatory at the time of application
Best suited for BITSian founders looking for early-stage support, mentorship, and initial funding.
Selection Process
- Application submission through the official platform
- Initial screening based on eligibility and concept strength
- Evaluation based on innovation, scalability, and impact
- Shortlisting of selected applicants
- Final selection by the organizing body
The exact selection process may vary depending on program guidelines.
How to Apply
- Visit the official application page provided below
- Fill out the application form
- Submit startup details (idea or existing venture)
- Await further communication from the MIF team
Frequently Asked Questions
- Current students from BITS Pilani campuses (Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Dubai)
- Alumni who graduated within the last 5 years
- At least one founder must be a BITSian
- Open to idea-stage as well as early-stage startups
- Incorporation is not mandatory at the time of application
Best suited for BITSian founders looking for early-stage support, mentorship, and initial funding.
Source & Verification
All information is compiled from publicly available sources. Refer to the links below for most accurate & updated details. Disclaimer
- Source 1: www.bits-pilani.ac.in
This information is provided for general awareness and does not constitute an endorsement by StartupGrantsHub.com. Exercise due diligence before submitting any personal or sensitive information.