FundingRs. 10 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh
Equity-free Idea Logistics & Mobility
ClosesJun 15, 2026
Rolling Grant Equity-free Students
IHFC READY Program
Pre-seed incubation for deep-tech startups in cobotics, AI, drones, autonomous systems at IIT Delhi.
Check your readinessShare a few details and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit, documents and timelines for this scheme. Free, no obligation.
- Students and researchers building deeptech, AI or space products, seeking IIT Delhi incubation.
About this scheme
The IHFC READY (Research, Entrepreneurship and Development for Youth) Program is a founder-friendly pre-seed incubation program based at IIT Delhi. It aims to accelerate innovation in high-potential deep tech fields such as cobotics, artificial intelligence, drones, autonomous systems, and related areas. IHFC, the Innovation Hub for Cobotics at IIT Delhi, is a technology innovation hub supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. Its mission is to be a world-class center for research, development, and commercialization of cobotics and related deep-tech areas. Leveraging IIT Delhi's robust academic and research infrastructure, IHFC fosters a collaborative ecosystem for startups, researchers, and industries. IIT Delhi, an institution of national importance, is renowned for its pioneering contributions to science and engineering, providing an unparalleled environment for technological advancement and startup growth.
This program is critical for bridging the gap between cutting-edge academic research and market-ready products, offering a structured pathway for innovators to translate their scientific insights into tangible solutions. The emphasis on commercialization ensures that the supported ventures are not only technologically advanced but also possess strong market potential and viability.
The program offers financial support up to INR 500,000, intended to help participants ideate, build, and prototype products. The focus is on developing solutions that are viable for commercialization and market entry, emphasizing product feasibility, reliability, technical specifications, and cost-effectiveness. This funding assists in transforming initial concepts into practical, market-ready technologies.
Beyond monetary aid, participants benefit from a comprehensive six-month program, gaining access to the extensive IIT Delhi network and expert mentorship. The program encourages the creation and ownership of intellectual property, provides essential lab space, and offers full incubation access with IHFC. Additional support includes peer learning opportunities and regular assessments to guide startup development.
The IHFC READY Program serves as a springboard for promising deep-tech ventures, facilitating their journey from early-stage ideation through to integration into the broader deep-tech R&D and startup ecosystem.
Who can apply
- Applicants must be focused on deep tech areas including cobotics, AI, drones, autonomous systems, and allied fields.
- The program specifically targets final year students for onboarding in January and July, while recent graduates, within one to two years post-graduation (G+1 & G+2), are eligible for flexible onboarding.
- This focus on current students and recent alumni aims to capture entrepreneurial talent at an early stage, fostering a culture of innovation directly from academic excellence and providing a direct bridge from research labs to the startup world.
- Participants are expected to ideate, build, and prototype products designed for commercialization and market entry, ensuring feasibility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Encouraging and supporting the creation and ownership of intellectual property by participants is a cornerstone of the IHFC READY program, as it empowers startups to build defensible positions in the market and protects their innovations as valuable assets for future growth and investment.
- Affiliation with a college or university is required, underscoring the program's commitment to nurturing talent emerging from India's academic ecosystem.
Eligible entity types: Individual Innovator
Benefits & funding
Headline support
Up to Rs. 5 lakh
- Receive up to INR 500,000 in financial support for ideation, building, and prototyping.
- Benefits include a comprehensive six-month incubation, access to IIT Delhi's network, expert mentorship, essential lab space, full incubation access with IHFC, peer learning, regular assessments, and support for IP creation and ownership.
How the application process works
The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with IHFC, IIT Delhi, in your own name.
- 1
Applications are accepted year-round via an online portal.
- 2
Initial screening evaluates deep-tech area, commercial potential, and alignment.
- 3
Shortlisted candidates are invited for quarterly evaluation and pitch presentation sessions to a panel of experts.
Want a second pair of eyes before you submit?IncorpX provides assistance for structuring proposals and organising the paperwork this process expects.
Official application
Ready to apply? Get the official link
Applications are submitted directly with IHFC, IIT Delhi, in your own name. Share a few details and we will point you to the official application portal and help you prepare a complete submission.
Here is the official application link
Apply in your own name with IHFC, IIT Delhi. Want a second pair of eyes before you submit? An IncorpX advisor can help you prepare.
Open the official applicationFrequently asked questions
What is the primary focus of the IHFC READY Program?
The IHFC READY Program is a pre-seed incubation program that spearheads innovation in high-potential deep tech areas such as cobotics, AI, drones, autonomous systems, and allied fields.
What kind of financial support is provided to participants?
Participants can receive financial support of up to INR 500,000 to help them ideate, build, and prototype products for commercialization and market entry.
What non-monetary benefits does the program offer?
The program offers a six-month duration, access to the IIT Delhi network, mentorship, opportunities to author/invent IP, lab space, incubation access with IHFC, peer learning, and assessments.
Who is eligible to apply for the IHFC READY Program?
The program targets final year students for fixed onboarding cycles and also offers flexible onboarding for graduated applicants within one to two years after their graduation.
How often are applications reviewed for the READY Program?
Applications are accepted year-round, with quarterly screening, evaluation, and pitch presentations held in February, May, August, and November.
Important disclaimer
IncorpX is a private platform operated by a private company. It is not a government department, agency or official portal, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government body or of any organisation, incubator, accelerator, investor or partner listed in this directory. All program names, logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification only.
This directory is compiled from publicly available official sources and is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Funding amounts, eligibility criteria, required documents, deadlines and availability are determined by each program authority and change with every cycle, so the details shown here may be incomplete or out of date. Always confirm the current terms on the official program source before you apply or take any decision.
IncorpX charges no fee for the information in this directory and does not collect, process, lodge or submit any application on your behalf. Applications are made by you, in your own name, directly with the respective program authority. IncorpX provides assistance only for application preparation and for related registrations such as company incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME (Udyam) and GST. Eligibility, approval, disbursement and selection rest solely with the respective program authority, and IncorpX makes no representation or guarantee as to any outcome.
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