Ignition Grant – DTU IIF
Funding Support

Guidelines of Ignition Grant

Structured support for innovators and early-stage startups to convert ideas into prototypes and move towards commercialization under the DTU-IIF ecosystem.

Overview & Selection

Selection of Innovators / Start-ups

  1. Selection of innovators/ start-ups: The i-TBI shall invite proposals from innovators/start-ups through an open call for providing ignition grant. A ‘Screening and Monitoring Committee (SMC)’ at the centre will evaluate applications, select grantees and monitor progress.
  2. i-TBI will provide ignition grant (grants-in-aid) as funding support to convert ideas into prototypes/products with commercialization potential. The maximum funding support to an innovator/start-up will be up to Rs. 10 lakhs, subject to approval of the Screening and Monitoring Committee.
  3. The following general and eligibility criteria will be followed for selecting innovators / start-ups for ignition grant.
Criteria

General Criteria

  • The ignition grant shall be for development of prototypes/products.
  • The ideas and innovations should be based on technology and science.
  • The product prototype has to be a physical product.
  • Ideas/innovations should have a roadmap towards commercialization.
  • Prototype must be capable of being completed within 12–14 months.
  • Support can typically range from Rs. 2.00 lakhs to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs.
  • Applicants can be individual innovators or early-stage start-ups.
  • The IP generated, if any, should vest with the innovator or the start-up.
  • Applicants should have ownership or rights to use project know-how/IP.
  • Innovators should have relevant technical skills or background.
Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

For individual innovators

  • An individual innovator without a start-up or a founder of a start-up may apply.
  • The applicant must be an Indian citizen with valid government-approved proof of nationality (passport, voter ID, etc.).
  • The applicant should be a minimum of 18 years of age on the date of application.

For co-founders / start-ups

  • The applicant should be a co-founder of the applying start-up.
  • The start-up must be incorporated in India with at least 51% equity held by Indian citizens.
  • The start-up should not be more than 2 years old.
  • The annual turnover of the start-up should not exceed Rs. 25 lakhs in any financial year since incorporation.
Exclusions

Proposals that will not be considered

  • Projects related purely to software development, e-commerce, service solutions or app-only solutions.
  • Funding of research or student internships in academic institutions or R&D organisations.
  • Products that have already crossed the prototype level and are in later commercialization stages.
Funding Use

Guideline for Usage of Funds

  • Outsourcing charges for R&D, design, consultancy, testing or expert cost.
  • Raw material or consumables or spares.
  • Fabrication or synthesis charges of working model or process.
  • Business travel and event participation fees (ceiling typically 10% of approved project cost).
  • Patent filing cost (PCT – ceiling typically 10% of approved project cost).
  • Contingency (ceiling typically 10% of approved project cost).
Restrictions

Ignition Grant Will Not Be Used For

  • Paying the grantee or their relatives as salary, stipend or personal benefit.
  • Repayment of pre-existing loans or other commitments of the innovator.
  • Payment of rents or creation of permanent infrastructure such as sheds, buildings or immovable assets.
  • Any stop-gap arrangement to support unrelated professional pursuits.

The innovators can apply to any one of the i-TBI centres for ignition grant.

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