FundingFunding opportunities up to ₹10 Lakh through ACIC-VGU schemes
Equity-free Idea AI, SaaS & Enterprise
ClosesAug 15, 2026
Closed Award Equity-free
Navachar Mantra – Grassroots Innovation Incubation Programme 2026
Navachar Mantra is a six-month, zero-cost incubation programme by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, implemented by NIESBUD with FITT IIT Delhi as the Knowledge Partner, supporting grassroots innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs across India.
Check your readinessShare a few details and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit, documents and timelines for this scheme. Free, no obligation.
- Zero-cost national incubation programme
- 6-month structured mentorship
- Knowledge Partner: FITT IIT Delhi
- Implemented by NIESBUD
- Initiative of MSDE, Government of India
- National visibility through ministerial podcasts
- Investor and policymaker access
- Certificate of Participation
- Access to IIT Delhi innovation ecosystem
- Funding and incubation opportunities
About this scheme
Navachar Mantra is a national incubation initiative launched by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, to identify, mentor, and support grassroots innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs from across the country.
Implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) with Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi as the Knowledge Partner, the programme helps innovators transform promising ideas into market-ready enterprises through structured mentoring, ecosystem support, expert guidance, and national visibility.
The six-month programme includes one-on-one mentoring, sector-specific workshops, innovation showcases, ministerial podcast opportunities, investor and policymaker engagement, and access to IIT Delhi's innovation ecosystem. Participants also gain exposure to multiple government and institutional funding opportunities, incubation pathways, and market access initiatives.
Approximately 50–60 innovators will be selected through a multi-stage evaluation process comprising application screening, video pitch assessment, and final selection. The programme concludes with a national showcase event during National Startup Week in January 2027.
Who can apply
- Indian citizen aged between 18 and 55 years
- Idea validation, prototype or early-revenue stage startup
- Registered startups incorporated on or after 1 January 2020 are eligible
- Unregistered innovators may also apply if they commit to registering upon selection
- Working on an innovative and scalable solution
- Priority is given to innovators from Tier-2, Tier-3 cities, rural areas and underserved regions
Benefits & funding
Headline support
Funding access through Exim Bank Ubharte Sitare (₹25 lakh–₹1 crore), BIRAC BIG, SIDBI, SISFS, SAMRIDH, TIDE 2.0 and other ecosystem programmes.
- Six months of expert mentorship
- Access to IIT Delhi-backed incubation pathway
- National recognition and innovation showcases
- Exposure through ministerial podcasts
- Networking with policymakers, investors and industry leaders
- Market linkage and ecosystem support
- Certificate upon programme completion
- Access to funding opportunities through government and partner programmes
How the application process works
The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with FITT, IIT Delhi, in your own name.
- 1
Review the eligibility criteria.
- 2
Complete the online application form.
- 3
Provide details about your innovation, business and impact.
- 4
Upload your business presentation (Pitch Deck).
- 5
Submit the application before the deadline.
- 6
Shortlisted applicants submit a video pitch.
- 7
Selected innovators join the six-month incubation programme.
Want a second pair of eyes before you submit?IncorpX provides assistance for structuring proposals and organising the paperwork this process expects.
Documents checklist 1
- Business Presentation (Pitch Deck)
Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.
Official application
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Applications are submitted directly with FITT, 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 FITT, IIT Delhi. Want a second pair of eyes before you submit? An IncorpX advisor can help you prepare.
Open the official applicationFrequently asked questions
Who can apply for Navachar Mantra?
Indian citizens between 18 and 55 years of age with innovative solutions at the idea validation, prototype, or early revenue stage can apply. Priority is given to innovators from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, rural areas, and underserved regions.
Do I need a registered business to apply?
No. Unregistered applicants are eligible to apply, but they must commit to registering their business if selected for the programme.
What stage should my startup or idea be in?
Applicants can apply if they are at the idea validation stage, have a working prototype, or have started generating early revenue.
Is there any application fee?
No. Navachar Mantra is a zero-cost incubation programme, and there is no fee to apply or participate.
How long is the programme?
The incubation programme runs for six months, from July to December 2026, followed by a national showcase event in January 2027.
What are the key benefits of the programme?
Selected participants receive expert mentorship, incubation support from FITT IIT Delhi, national visibility, networking opportunities with policymakers and investors, and access to ecosystem support and funding opportunities.
How many innovators will be selected?
Approximately 50–60 innovators and entrepreneurs will be selected for the programme.
What document is required during the application?
Applicants are required to upload a business presentation (Pitch Deck) explaining their idea or startup.
Will I receive funding through Navachar Mantra?
The programme facilitates access to funding opportunities, investor connects, and ecosystem support, but it does not guarantee direct funding.
How are applicants selected?
Applications are screened based on eligibility, innovation, commercial viability, scalability, and founder potential. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a video pitch before the final selection.
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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