Rolling / scheme-dependent · Rolling / scheme-dependent
VIT-Technology Business Incubator (VITTBI) is the Technology Business Incubator of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), incorporated in 2003 with support from India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST). It supports technology startups from idea stage through to scale-up across focus areas including Biotech, Healthcare, Industrial IoT, Life Sciences, Medical Devices, and Fintech. VITTBI administers multiple national funding schemes: NIDHI PRAYAS (proof-of-concept grants up to ₹10 lakh, via IIT Bombay’s SINE as Program Management Unit), NIDHI EiR (entrepreneur fellowship support via Venture Center, NCL Pune), BIRAC’s BioNEST scheme for life sciences and medical devices, and MeitY’s TIDE 2.0 Centre (active since 2019) for ICT ventures using IoT, AI, blockchain, and robotics, offering EiR grants up to ₹4 lakh. It also facilitates Indian Bank’s IND Spring Board debt-financing scheme for incubatees, CSR grants with the DANA Foundation, GST tax exemption for up to three years, and soft-landing support for overseas companies setting up in India. Incubatees are connected to an investor network including 100XVC, Inflection Point Ventures, and Java Capital. Since 2003, VITTBI has supported 200+ startups, helped launch 130+ products, generated 2,000+ jobs, and supported 120+ patent and design registrations, with portfolio companies collectively raising over ₹220 Crore.
Frequency
Rolling
Duration
Varies by scheme (short-term PoC grants to multi-year incubation support)
Investment
Grant-based support across schemes — NIDHI PRAYAS up to ₹10L, MeitY TIDE 2.0 EiR up to ₹4L, CSR grants ₹2–25L (DANA Foundation); Ind Springboard (Indian Bank) provides debt financing; separate equity-based follow-on investment facilitated via VITTBI’s investor network (terms vary by round)
Equity
None on grant/debt-based schemes; equity-based follow-on investment facilitated via VITTBI’s investor network but not taken directly by VITTBI itself
Program fees
Undisclosed
Where
India
Sectors
Biotech, FinTech, HealthTech, Industry 4.0, Medical
Stages
Idea/Pre-Team, Pre-Seed, Seed
Eligibility
• Indian company registration required for most grant schemes; at least 51% Indian promoter shareholding for NIDHI Seed
• Startup age/turnover limits apply to specific schemes (e.g. NIDHI PRAYAS: within 7 years of incorporation, annual turnover under ₹25 lakh)
• Open incubator with thrust areas in Biotech, Healthcare, Industrial IoT, Life Sciences, Medical Devices, and Fintech
Selection process
• Reviewed by a panel of technocrats, bankers, venture capitalists, and academicians
• Scheme-specific evaluation criteria apply (e.g. NIDHI PRAYAS reviewed under SINE IIT Bombay; NIDHI EiR under Venture Center, NCL Pune)
Benefits
• Startups can qualify for a GST exemption lasting up to 3 years, as long as annual turnover stays under ₹50 lakh
• Access to investor network for equity-based follow-on funding (100XVC, Inflection Point Ventures, Java Capital, Menterra Impact, IdeaSpring Capital, and others)
• Mentoring and one-on-one guidance from university faculty and industry experts
• Soft-landing support for overseas companies setting up India operations
• Debt-financing facilitation via Indian Bank’s IND Spring Board scheme
• Infrastructure and access to talent and network
Notable alumni
Network
Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India (founding backer); Vellore Institute of Technology (host institution); Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC, BioNEST scheme); MeitY (TIDE 2.0 Centre); Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay (NIDHI PRAYAS PMU); Venture Center, NCL Pune (NIDHI EiR PIP); Indian Bank (Ind Springboard debt-financing partner); DANA Foundation (CSR grants); investor network including 100XVC, Grad Capital, Inflection Point Ventures, Java Capital, Menterra Impact, IdeaSpring Capital
Portfolio
200+ startups supported since 2003; 130+ products launched; 120+ patents & design registrations; recent incubatees have raised institutional funding (e.g. Accio Robotics, Lamark Biotech, insideFPV, Dynolt Technologies) and secured government/defence contracts and national innovation awards
Funds raised
₹220+ Crore raised by portfolio startups
🕐 Aug 2026
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