EngSUI Innovation Challenge

• Student innovators and early-stage founders building tech solutions from idea to MVP.

About this scheme

The EngSUI Innovation Challenge is a dedicated initiative spearheaded by Engineers India Limited (EIL), a major Public Sector Undertaking, in collaboration with SIIC IIT Kanpur. Engineers India Limited (EIL) is a leading engineering consultancy and EPC company with a rich history of contributing to India's energy sector and industrial development. Their involvement in this challenge underscores their commitment to fostering technological advancements beyond their core business. This program aligns with the Honourable Prime Minister's flagship Startup India initiative, reflecting EIL's commitment to building and nurturing the startup ecosystem across India by investing in early-stage innovation. SIIC IIT Kanpur, a renowned technology business incubator operating within the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, provides the operational framework and incubation support, leveraging its extensive experience in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within a world-class academic environment. SIIC has a strong track record of supporting deep-tech startups and facilitating their journey from concept to commercialization.

The core objective of the Innovation Challenge is to empower resident Indian citizens, including student innovators, by providing crucial financial backing. This support is specifically geared towards developing novel ideas into demonstrable models and prototypes. The program seeks to bridge the critical gap between conceptualization and tangible proof-of-concept, enabling early-stage innovators to validate their solutions, gather initial user feedback, and move towards practical application. The emphasis on prototype development ensures that promising ideas are not just theoretical but are brought to a stage where their technical feasibility and potential market fit can be assessed.

Financial assistance is capped at Rs. 20 Lakhs per proposal, or 100% of the total proposal cost, whichever is less. These funds are designated exclusively for prototype development, covering expenses essential for transforming innovative concepts into functional, verifiable models. This can include costs for materials, specialized software, access to lab facilities, testing equipment, and other direct expenses related to building a working prototype. By focusing on prototype creation, the challenge ensures that participants have the necessary resources to test their hypotheses and demonstrate the feasibility of their technological solutions, paving the way for further development, potential venture capital funding, or market entry. The initiative aims to accelerate the journey from ideation to a tangible, early-stage product, significantly de-risking the initial phases of startup creation.

Who can apply

• The applicant must be a Resident Indian citizen.
• Student innovators are explicitly eligible to submit proposals.

Eligible entity types: Individual Innovator

Benefits & funding

• Financial assistance up to Rs.
• 20 Lakhs per proposal for prototype development, covering materials, software, lab access, and testing equipment.
• Benefits also include incubation support, mentorship, and technical guidance from SIIC IIT Kanpur.

How the application process works

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

1. 1

   Applicants submit detailed proposals.

2. 2

   An initial screening is followed by presentations or interviews with a panel of experts for shortlisted applicants.

Documents checklist 4

• Detailed Innovation Proposal
• Proof of Indian Citizenship
• Student ID Card (if applicable)
• Detailed Budget Breakdown for Prototype Development

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

Frequently asked questions