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Incubator Mandi, Himachal Pradesh Est. 2016

IIT Mandi Catalyst

IIT Mandi Catalyst, Himachal Pradesh's first technology business incubator, with 600+ startups backed and Rs. 24.7 crore disbursed.

600+ startups supported 8 programs listed

About IIT Mandi Catalyst

Launched in 2016, IIT Mandi Catalyst is Himachal Pradesh's first Technology Business Incubator, backed by both central and state governments. Through high-touch incubation, it has supported more than 600 startups and disbursed Rs. 24.7 crore in funding via various government schemes, catering to founders at every point of their early life cycle, from ideation and prototyping to product development and market entry.

Its focus areas span healthtech, edtech, fintech, agritech, biotech, and renewable energy, drawing on technologies such as AI, machine learning, and IoT. Its Startup Exploration Program offers a structured three-month incubation that helps innovators move from early ideas to validated, market-ready ventures, and the centre has gained national visibility through success stories such as Dharaksha Ecosolutions, which appeared on Shark Tank India after incubating there.

Early-stage founders in Himachal Pradesh and across north India, particularly in healthtech, agritech, cleantech, and biotech, benefit most, along with IIT Mandi student entrepreneurs and founders wanting incubation in a Tier 2 location with access to central funding schemes and structured mentoring. It is online at iitmandicatalyst.in.

Who they work with

Stages
Idea MVP / Prototype Early Revenue
Sectors
Biotech, Health & Pharma Edtech & Skilling Fintech Agritech & Food Climate, Energy & EV
Notable alumni
Dharaksha Ecosolutions

Programs by IIT Mandi Catalyst 8

Cycle-based Equity Funding
FundingSeed funding up to Rs. 50 Lakhs
Idea MVP / Prototype

The NIDHI Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS) at IIT Mandi Catalyst provides seed funding of up to ₹50 lakh to innovative startups for product development and commercialization. Sponsored by NSTEDB, Department of Science & Technology (DST), the programme helps early-stage ventures transform ideas into market-ready products.

ClosesPer call
Closed Grant
FundingUp to Rs. 11 lakh
Equity-free

The Himalayan Startup Trek (HST) Grand Challenge is an annual flagship pitch competition hosted by IIT Mandi Catalyst to bring together startups, investors, and mentors from across India. The event aims to boost the startup ecosystem in the Himalayan region by offering cash grants and incubation opportunities to startups with innovative ideas. The challenge focuses on four key thematic areas: Human Computer Interaction, Build for Himalayas, Environment and Sustainability, and Bio Innovation

ClosesClosed
Closed Grant
FundingUp to Rs. 10 lakh
Equity-free Idea

The MeitY GENESIS EiR program is a flagship government initiative designed to fortify the startup ecosystem by assisting entrepreneurs and students in validating their startup ideas and transforming them into successful businesses. It provides financial assistance, mentorship, and access to a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a specific focus on innovations in the Electronic Design and Manufacturing, Deeptech, and ICT sectors.

ClosesClosed
Closed Grant

ASIIM Program

by IIT Mandi Catalyst

FundingUp to Rs. 30 lakh
Equity-free Idea MVP / Prototype

Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM) is an incubation and funding support program implemented by IIT Mandi Catalyst to promote inclusive entrepreneurship among SC and Divyang innovators. The program is launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E), Government of India, under the IFCI Venture Capital Fund for SCs (VCF-SC). ASIIM supports technology-driven and socially impactful business ideas at early stages, helping innovators convert ideas into

ClosesClosed
Closed Grant
FundingUp to Rs. 50 lakh
Equity-free Idea MVP / Prototype

The HIM Startup Yojana 2025 is a seed fund initiative by HPCED, implemented through IIT Mandi Catalyst. It is a state-backed program designed to help budding innovators and startups from Himachal Pradesh to develop their initial ideas into viable products or services and successfully launch them into the market. It aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem by offering financial support to early-stage ventures. The initiative focuses on supporting entrepreneurs to develop prototypes or scale

ClosesClosed
Closed Equity Funding
FundingUp to Rs. 30 lakh
Idea MVP / Prototype

This initiative is designed to support Scheduled Tribe innovators who are building innovative and technology-driven business ideas with strong commercial potential. The program focuses on nurturing early-stage startups by providing equity-based financial support rather than loans, enabling founders to concentrate on product development and market validation without immediate repayment pressure. The scheme aims to empower young innovators, students, and early entrepreneurs from the Scheduled

ClosesClosed
Closed Grant
FundingUp to Rs. 7 lakh
Equity-free MVP / Prototype

The MeitY TIDE 2.0 Grant Program, implemented through IIT Mandi Catalyst, provides financial and technical support to young innovators and startups engaged in ICT-enabled ideas, primarily in Electronics and Communication solutions. The scheme's purpose is to bridge the gap between Proof of Concept (PoC) and Prototype/MVP by helping innovators test their ideas and develop a viable prototype ready for commercialization. The period of prototyping support can be up to 12 months. The

ClosesClosed

Frequently asked questions

What funding programs does IIT Mandi Catalyst run?

IIT Mandi Catalyst currently has 8 programs listed in this directory, including NIDHI Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS), Startup Exploration Program 2026 - IIT Mandi Catalyst, Himalayan Startup Trek (HST) Grand Challenge 2025 at IIT Mandi Catalyst. Each program page covers the funding amount, eligibility and application process.

Is IIT Mandi Catalyst a government organisation?

IIT Mandi Catalyst is listed as a incubator. It is not a government body, and its programs follow the organisation's own selection process.

How do I evaluate whether a IIT Mandi Catalyst program fits my startup?

Start with the stages and sectors shown on this profile, then open the program pages for eligibility conditions and document checklists. If you want a structured view, send an enquiry below and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit and readiness.

Do I apply to these programs through IncorpX?

No. Applications are always submitted in your own name with the respective program authority. IncorpX is independent of IIT Mandi Catalyst and provides assistance for application preparation, document organisation and prerequisite registrations such as incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST.

Enquire about IIT Mandi Catalyst

Tell us what you are building and which IIT Mandi Catalyst program you are evaluating. An IncorpX advisor will help you assess fit and get application-ready.

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Your enquiry goes to the IncorpX advisory team, who will help you evaluate fit and prepare. We are independent of IIT Mandi Catalyst and never contact organisations on your behalf.

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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