NIDHI Entrepreneurs – in – Residence (EIR) Program
Offered By - IIT ROORKEE
About the Program
The NIDHI Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) Program is an initiative under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) scheme aimed at enabling individuals to pursue entrepreneurship full-time with reduced financial risk. It is implemented through Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), including TIDES at IIT Roorkee.
The program is designed for aspiring or early-stage entrepreneurs who have a technology-driven business idea but may not yet have fully commercialized it. It provides structured support to help individuals transition from idea or proof-of-concept stages into viable startups. By offering a monthly subsistence grant, the program offsets the opportunity cost of leaving stable employment, allowing participants to focus entirely on building their ventures.
A key focus of this specific implementation is on life sciences and med-tech innovations, particularly those requiring longer development cycles and involving technological uncertainty. This positions the program within the very early stage of the startup journey—before formal incubation or fundraising where validation, experimentation, and initial development are critical.
The program also integrates founders into an incubation ecosystem, offering access to co-working infrastructure, mentorship, and institutional support. It plays a pipeline-building role for incubators by preparing entrepreneurs for subsequent incubation and investment readiness.
Overall, the NIDHI EIR Program functions as a pre-incubation fellowship that bridges the gap between ideation and structured startup development, especially for deep-tech and research-driven ventures.
Offerings / Benefits:
- Subsistence grant up to ₹30,000 per month
- Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs
- Access to co-working space
- Support in company formation, legal, IP, and business development activities
- Opportunity for incubation at TIDES, IIT Roorkee
- Networking and feedback opportunities for venture development
Sectors Supported:
Life sciences
Med-tech
Funding & Benefits
This program offers a combination of financial support, mentorship, and ecosystem access to help startups grow and scale their solutions effectively.
Co Working Space
Funding
Legal Support
Mentorship
Networking
Beyond funding, programs like this provide credibility, exposure, and strategic support that can significantly accelerate a startup’s growth journey.
Who Can Apply / Eligibility
- Applicant must be an Indian national
- Minimum 4 years of full-time technical undergraduate or postgraduate education
- Must propose one technology-based business idea
- Must commit to pursuing entrepreneurship full-time
- Cannot hold another fellowship or remuneration simultaneously
- Cannot be a promoter or hold more than 10% stake in another company
- Must have a formal business plan and investment presentation
- Must be registered with the incubator (TBI) for the program duration
- Preference given to:
- Ideas with high technological uncertainty or long gestation
- Ideas leveraging research/IP from academic institutions
- Ideas with strong social impact potential
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
- Prepare a formal business plan for the proposed technology idea
- Create a business presentation including an investment proposal
- Apply through the respective Technology Business Incubator (TBI) when applications are open. List Of Incubators
- Ensure registration with the incubator for the full duration of support
Frequently Asked Questions
- Applicant must be an Indian national
- Minimum 4 years of full-time technical undergraduate or postgraduate education
- Must propose one technology-based business idea
- Must commit to pursuing entrepreneurship full-time
- Cannot hold another fellowship or remuneration simultaneously
- Cannot be a promoter or hold more than 10% stake in another company
- Must have a formal business plan and investment presentation
- Must be registered with the incubator (TBI) for the program duration
- Preference given to:
- Ideas with high technological uncertainty or long gestation
- Ideas leveraging research/IP from academic institutions
- Ideas with strong social impact potential
Source & Verification
All information is compiled from publicly available sources. Refer to the links below for most accurate & updated details. Disclaimer
- Source 1: tides.iitr.ac.in
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