STPI OctaNE Open Challenge Program 9.0
Offered By - Government Of India, MeitY, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)
About the Program
Early-stage tech startups and entrepreneurs in India—especially those building in AI, AR/VR, agritech, healthcare, gaming, and emerging technologies—can apply for the STPI OctaNE Open Challenge Program 9.0.
This program is run by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. It is specifically designed to identify, support, and scale innovative startups through a network of 8 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) across North-East India.
The Open Challenge Program acts as a problem-solving and innovation platform, where startups are selected to develop solutions in high-impact technology domains. Selected startups gain access to incubation infrastructure, seed funding support, mentorship, and advanced lab facilities, along with support for training, marketing, and patenting.
What makes this program distinct is its distributed incubation model across multiple cities (Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Agartala, Aizawl, Kohima, Gangtok, Itanagar), each focused on a specific domain. This allows startups to access specialized ecosystems aligned with their sector, rather than a generic incubation setup.
From a founder’s perspective, this program is particularly valuable for early-stage startups that need structured support, ecosystem access, and validation opportunities. It is most useful if you’re building in emerging tech and are open to operating within the North-East innovation ecosystem.
Offerings / Benefits:
- Seed funding support
- Access to incubation infrastructure (1000+ seating capacity across CoEs)
- Mentorship and expert guidance
- Access to labs, tools, and software
- Training and technical support
- Marketing and commercialization support
- IPR and patent facilitation
- Legal, accounting, and business support
Sectors Supported:
- IoT in Agriculture
- Animation
- AR/VR (Emerging Tech)
- Graphic Design (IT Applications)
- Gaming & Entertainment
- Data Analytics & AI
- Healthcare & Agritech IT Applications
- GIS & Drone Technology
Funding & Benefits
This program offers a combination of financial support, mentorship, and ecosystem access to help startups grow and scale their solutions effectively.
Funding
Go-To-market & Business Strategy
Lab Access
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
- Startup must be:
- Private Limited Company, OR
- Registered Partnership Firm, OR
- LLP (or founders can apply and register within 3 months if selected)
- Incorporation age: Not more than 10 years
- Annual turnover: Not exceeding ₹100 crore
- Must be working on:
- Innovation, development, or improvement of products/services/processes
- Should have potential for:
- Employment generation and wealth creation
- Must not be formed by splitting/reconstructing an existing business
Best suited for: Early-stage tech startups with innovative solutions and scalability potential.
Selection Process
- Application submission
- Pre-screening of applications (13–15 May 2026)
- Shortlisting announcement (20 May 2026)
- Final pitch before panel (27–29 May 2026)
- Result announcement (5 June 2026)
How to Apply
- Visit the official portal provided below
- Choose the relevant CoE/domain
- Apply through the SAYUJ portal for your selected center
- Submit required startup details and documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
- Startup must be:
- Private Limited Company, OR
- Registered Partnership Firm, OR
- LLP (or founders can apply and register within 3 months if selected)
- Incorporation age: Not more than 10 years
- Annual turnover: Not exceeding ₹100 crore
- Must be working on:
- Innovation, development, or improvement of products/services/processes
- Should have potential for:
- Employment generation and wealth creation
- Must not be formed by splitting/reconstructing an existing business
Best suited for: Early-stage tech startups with innovative solutions and scalability potential.
Source & Verification
All information is compiled from publicly available sources. Refer to the links below for most accurate & updated details. Disclaimer
- Source 1: octane.stpi.in
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