Application Deadline:
5 October 2025
About Organisation
IIT Mandi Catalyst, established in 2016, is Himachal Pradesh’s first Technology Business Incubator (TBI), created with the vision of fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship. It is supported by the Government of India, the Government of Himachal Pradesh, and partners such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the HP Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (HPCED), and Vishal Bharat Comnet. In less than a decade, Catalyst has emerged as one of the most active incubators in the Himalayan region, dedicated to building a strong startup ecosystem. Its mission is to nurture technology-led entrepreneurial ventures that generate both economic and social impact. Catalyst has successfully built an environment that enables startups to develop, test, and scale their solutions by providing infrastructure, mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities. With visionary leadership from IIT Mandi, it has developed a reputation as a hub of innovation and incubation, ensuring that ideas with transformative potential do not fade away but instead evolve into sustainable businesses.
About the Grant
The IIT Mandi Catalyst MeitY Genesis EIR Grant is designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among aspiring founders and early-stage startups in India, with a special focus on Tier II and III cities. This grant aligns with IIT Mandi Catalyst’s mission of building a startup valley in Kamand, envisioned as a center of excellence for technology-driven ventures. The program provides critical financial support and incubation facilities for individuals at the ideation, concept validation, or prototyping stage, enabling them to translate their innovative ideas into viable business solutions. Through the grant, selected entrepreneurs will benefit from physical incubation at IIT Mandi Catalyst, access to intellectual resources, expert mentorship, and structured programs aimed at accelerating growth. The initiative supports founders working in deep technology areas such as electronic design and manufacturing, ICT, and software product development. By providing not just funding but also a nurturing ecosystem, the MeitY Genesis EIR Grant helps innovators transform their concepts into market-ready solutions while contributing to India’s broader vision of becoming a hub for technological advancement and entrepreneurship.
Who can Apply?
The IIT Mandi Catalyst MeitY Genesis EIR Grant is open exclusively to Indian citizens engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits. Eligible applicants include full-time undergraduate or postgraduate students working on innovative projects or founders and co-founders of startups registered with DPIIT and established within the last two years. Applicants should be working in priority domains such as Electronic Design and Manufacturing, deep technology-driven software or products, and ICT-related innovations. The program is designed for individuals and teams at the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey, including ideation, concept development, problem-solution fit validation, proof of concept (PoC), or prototyping. Importantly, selected candidates must commit to being physically incubated at IIT Mandi Catalyst during the program. Only startups or individuals registered from Tier II and Tier III cities are eligible to apply. Additionally, EiR support under this program will be extended only once, ensuring opportunities are distributed to a wider pool of entrepreneurs. These criteria ensure that the program nurtures grassroots innovation, helping founders from smaller cities to scale their ideas with proper institutional and financial backing.
How to Apply?
Interested candidates must complete the application process online by filling out the required forms and submitting details of their innovation and entrepreneurial pursuits. Shortlisted applicants will be evaluated for alignment with program objectives.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted no later than the specified deadline. Late entries will not be considered for evaluation under the program.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
