The IIITB Innovation Centre (IIITB-IC) is a premier incubation hub that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven solutions. Operating within the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIITB), the centre provides a dynamic ecosystem for startups, innovators, and researchers to develop impactful solutions in emerging sectors. IIITB-IC supports ventures through access to expert mentorship, technical guidance, infrastructure, and funding opportunities. It aims to nurture ideas that can solve pressing national challenges, create economic value, and make a global impact. The centre is especially focused on promoting digital technologies such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Robotics. It offers both pre-incubation and incubation support, enabling entrepreneurs to validate ideas, develop proofs of concept, and scale up to market-ready products. IIITB-IC’s mission is to create a strong foundation for technology-based entrepreneurship in sectors like Civic Tech, Education, Financial Inclusion, Healthcare, Agriculture, and beyond. By combining technical expertise with business acumen, the centre plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between innovative ideas and sustainable enterprises. Through initiatives like the TIDE 2.0 Fund, IIITB-IC empowers startups to address real-world challenges and drive economic and societal progress.

The IIITB Innovation Centre (IIITB-IC) has launched the TIDE 2.0 Fund to provide targeted financial and technical assistance to technology startups. This initiative focuses on supporting innovative ideas that leverage digital technologies such as SaaS, PaaS, IoT, AI, Blockchain, and Robotics. The grant is designed to help entrepreneurs either validate early-stage concepts or accelerate the development of prototypes into market-ready products. Two key funding categories are offered: the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) and the Prototype Stage. Under the EiR category, Indian entrepreneurs with a clear and well-defined business idea can access funding of up to ₹4 lakh for validating their concept and building a proof of concept (PoC) over a 12-month period. The Prototype Stage category is aimed at startups that have already developed a PoC and need funding to convert it into a fully functional product, with support of up to ₹7 lakh over 12 months. The program particularly encourages ideas addressing national priority areas or those with significant global economic potential, especially in sectors like Civic Tech, Education, Financial Inclusion (including digital payments), Healthcare, and Agriculture. By combining financial aid with incubation resources, the TIDE 2.0 Fund offers a comprehensive platform to turn innovative concepts into impactful solutions.