EDII-TN Innovation Voucher Program , AIC RAISE Hardware Cohort

• Tamil Nadu-based hardware and deeptech founders at any stage seeking innovation vouchers.

About this scheme

The Innovation Voucher Program (IVP) is a Tamil Nadu state scheme run by the Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute (EDII-TN). AIC RAISE is the knowledge partner running this hardware-focused cohort, managing applications, mentorship, and post-grant support for ventures building physical products.

The program offers two voucher tracks. Voucher A provides Rs. 3 lakh to help founders build and validate a prototype from an early hardware idea. Voucher B provides Rs. 7 lakh to scale a working product toward commercial use. Both are non-dilutive grants; AIC RAISE does not take equity.

Beyond capital, AIC RAISE provides expert mentoring, technical guidance, pitch deck development, and strategic pitching support. Selected ventures also access market pilots and industry connects through AIC RAISE's network, particularly relevant for hardware founders who need partner factories, component suppliers, or initial commercial customers to validate their build.

The cohort is restricted to Tamil Nadu-registered manufacturing MSMEs or startups working on hardware solutions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the AIC RAISE accubate portal.

Who can apply

• Must be registered and located in Tamil Nadu
• Must be a manufacturing MSME or a startup working on hardware solutions
• Voucher A (Rs. 3 lakh): early-stage founders building or validating a prototype
• Voucher B (Rs. 7 lakh): founders scaling a working product toward commercial use

Eligible entity types: Private Limited, LLP, Partnership, Proprietorship

Benefits & funding

• Two non-dilutive grant tracks under EDII-TN's IVP scheme: Rs.
• 3 lakh under Voucher A for prototype build and validation, and Rs.
• 7 lakh under Voucher B for scaling a product to commercial use.
• Beyond capital, AIC RAISE provides expert mentoring, technical guidance, pitch deck development, and strategic pitching support, plus market pilot opportunities and industry connects to help hardware ventures move from build to commercial traction.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with AIC RAISE, in your own name.

1. 1

   Startups apply through the AIC RAISE accubate platform with startup details, product description, current stage, and selected voucher track.

2. 2

   Applications go through AIC RAISE's evaluation and EDII-TN's voucher approval process.

3. 3

   Selected ventures onboard for mentoring, pitch support, and market pilot access alongside grant disbursement.

Documents checklist 3

• Company / MSME registration details (Tamil Nadu)
• Product / hardware solution description
• Voucher track applied (A or B) with stage justification

Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.

Frequently asked questions