FundingRs. 10 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh
Equity-free Idea Logistics & Mobility
ClosesJun 15, 2026
Closed Grant Equity-free DPIIT required
UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program , SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3)
Acceleration + Rs. 3L fellowship for DPIIT-registered drone/UAV startups at IIT Kanpur.
Check your readinessShare a few details and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit, documents and timelines for this scheme. Free, no obligation.
- DPIIT-recognised drone startups incorporated as Pvt Ltd at product or revenue stage.
About this scheme
UDAAN , UAV/UAS/Drone Acceleration and Networking , is a joint acceleration program run by the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur, the Centre of Excellence for UAVs (an initiative of the Government of Uttar Pradesh and IIT Kanpur), and the Drone Federation of India. It targets high-potential drone startups ready to move from prototype to market.
The program selects 20 startups per year across two cohorts. Each cohort is incubated at SIIC on the IIT Kanpur campus, with direct access to the Drone CoE's testing infrastructure , including the Helicopter and VTOL Laboratory, Flight Laboratory, and National Wind Tunnel Facility. The top six startups in each cohort receive a fellowship of Rs. 3 lakh per annum to support continued R&D.
Beyond infrastructure, UDAAN provides technical mentorship from IIT Kanpur faculty and UAV domain experts, structured guidance on product development, regulatory approvals, and certification. Startups also get help navigating government funding schemes like iDEX, TDF, TIDE, Genesis, TDB, and Make-1 & 2 programs.
The program wraps up with a demo day featuring pitch sessions and networking with angel investors, VCs, and defence and industry leaders. Post-program, startups can access physical incubation space at SIIC for continued development and scaling. For drone founders who need serious testing facilities and institutional backing, UDAAN is one of the strongest accelerator options in India.
Who can apply
- Must be registered as a Private Limited company
- DPIIT recognition is mandatory
- Must operate in the UAV/drone sector , product development, testing, design verification, or technical consultancy
- Annual turnover must not exceed Rs. 3 crore
- Open to startups across India (not restricted to Uttar Pradesh)
- Should have at least an MVP-stage product
Eligible entity types: Private Limited
Benefits & funding
Headline support
Support amount varies
- Up to six startups receive a Rs.
- Benefits include incubation at IIT Kanpur, access to drone testing infrastructure (labs, wind tunnel), technical mentorship, guidance on product development and regulatory approvals, help navigating government funding, pitch sessions, and networking with investors/industry.
- Post-program, access to physical incubation space is provided.
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
Online application submission.
- 2
Initial screening for eligibility (DPIIT, turnover, sector fit).
- 3
Shortlisted startups are evaluated on product readiness, innovation, and scaling potential.
- 4
Selected startups are then onboarded.
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 SIIC IIT Kanpur, 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 SIIC IIT Kanpur. Want a second pair of eyes before you submit? An IncorpX advisor can help you prepare.
Open the official applicationFrequently asked questions
How much funding does UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program , SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3) provide?
UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program , SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3) provides support amount varies. The exact amount sanctioned depends on the proposal and the evaluation by the program authority.
Is UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program , SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3) currently accepting applications?
Closed on Apr 25, 2026. Always confirm the current window with the program authority before preparing your application.
Does UDAAN Drone Acceleration Program , SIIC IIT Kanpur (Cohort 3) take equity?
No. This program is listed as equity-free, which means the funding does not dilute your shareholding. Review the official terms for any debt or convertible components.
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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