IDEANEST 6.0 Pre-Incubation Program , AIC Nalanda Institute of Technology

• Student founders and early innovators in AI, agritech or edtech at idea or product stage.

About this scheme

IDEANEST 6.0 is the sixth edition of AIC, Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation's pre-incubation programme, a 10-week hybrid initiative designed to help students and early-stage innovators move from raw ideas to structured startup concepts. The programme is run by an Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) established under NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission, combining government-backed institutional support with the academic infrastructure of Nalanda Institute of Technology.

The programme targets eight sectors: AI and SaaS, Agriculture and Allied, HealthTech, Robotics, IT and IoT, Climate Tech and Sustainability, Social Innovation, Tourism and Hospitality, and Food and Nutrition. This sector mix reflects both emerging technology priorities and impact-driven domains, making the programme accessible to a wide range of early-stage ideas.

Over the 10 weeks, participants work through idea validation, business modelling, market strategy, and investment readiness in a structured sequence. The format combines in-person and virtual sessions, workshops, expert-led sessions, and mentorship, giving participants flexibility while maintaining cohort cohesion. The programme builds practical skills alongside a peer network of fellow early-stage founders.

The cohort culminates in a Demo Day where participants pitch their validated concepts to mentors and potential investors. This pitch opportunity is designed to give first-time founders real investor exposure and feedback at an early stage, before they enter the broader startup ecosystem. IDEANEST is particularly valuable for founders who are at the idea stage and need structured validation before approaching incubators or investors independently.

As an AIC programme under NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission, IDEANEST 6.0 carries the credibility of government-backed incubation and provides participants with a launchpad into the broader AIC network and government startup ecosystem.

Who can apply

• Open to students and early-stage innovators with ideas in the focus sectors
• Focus domains: AI and SaaS, Agriculture and Allied, HealthTech, Robotics, IT and IoT, Climate Tech and Sustainability, Social Innovation, Tourism and Hospitality, Food and Nutrition
• Idea-stage to early MVP; no prior business registration or traction required
• Both individual applicants and teams are eligible
• No geographic restriction stated , open to applicants from across India

Benefits & funding

• IDEANEST 6.0 does not disburse a direct cash grant.
• Selected participants receive structured pre-incubation support including workshops, mentorship, and expert-led sessions, culminating in a Demo Day pitch opportunity to mentors and potential investors.

Frequently asked questions