
#NIDHIEIR
NIDHI-Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR)
The NIDHI-EIR Program is an entrepreneurship fellowship/grant in the
form of a stipend to an aspiring or budding entrepreneur with the potential
for pursuing a promising technology business idea on a permanent basis.

About NIDHI EIR Program
National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB),
Government of India supporting Technology Business Incubators is mainly associated with
academic and research institutions to leverage technologies and innovations for venture
creation. Converting technologies and research into start-up ventures has a long product
development and revenue generation time. To inspire the best talents to be entrepreneurs,
minimize the risk involved in pursuing start-ups, and to partially set off their opportunity costs
of high paying jobs, NSTEDB has introduced NIDHI-Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
(EIR) Program. The NIDHI-EIR program provides tremendous opportunities for innovative
entrepreneurs to expand their networks and get critical feedback on their ventures in order to
promote their entrepreneurial career goals and aspirations.
Program Objectives:
Provide Fellowship
To encourage graduated students to take on entrepreneurship by providing support as a fellowship.
Foster Entrepreneurship
To provide a prestigious forum for deserving and budding entrepreneurs to pursue their ventures without any additional risks involved in technology-based businesses.
Minimize Early-Stage Startup Risks
To make pursuing entrepreneurship related to a technology business idea more attractive among available career options.
Creation of New Venture
To enable the creation of new start-ups by entrepreneurs and significant progress towards raising funding or investment.
Program Benefits
Mentoring Support
Mentoring support & experts connect for product formulation, commercialization, business conceptualization, and preparing market strategy.
Prototyping Support
Support for product development, prototyping, and testing with partners and other stakeholders
Eligibility Criteria
- Is an Indian citizen
- Is a having undergraduate/post-graduate degree or diploma, in the field of science or engineering
- Is a first-generation innovative-entrepreneur, who has no prior source of income
- Final-year students are not eligible to apply.
- They are expected to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations full-time and should not treat it as a stop-gap arrangement or as a support in academic pursuits or transition between jobs.
- They should demonstrate their ability to build a scalable technology business startup.
- Preference shall be given for
a) Technology business ideas with larger technology uncertainties and/ or long gestation periods Grant support Co-working Space Mentoring Support Prototyping Support
b) technology business ideas leveraging technology or IP from publicly funded research or academic organizations,
c) technology business ideas with considerable potential for social impact. - Entrepreneurs pursuing business ideas with no or marginal technology innovation are discouraged to apply.
- NIDHI-EIR seeking support should have a formal business plan, a business presentation including the investment proposal.
- Is or shall not be the promoter or shareholder holding more than 10% of another company.
FAQ’S
Proof of Concept
We provide financial aid and mentorship to startups in the early stages of ideation. Our aim is to help
entrepreneurs refine their concepts, conduct market research, and develop a robust proof of concept that
demonstrates the potential of their innovative solutions in the tourism industry.
entrepreneurs refine their concepts, conduct market research, and develop a robust proof of concept that
demonstrates the potential of their innovative solutions in the tourism industry.
Prototype Development
We support startups in the development of prototypes and minimum viable products (MVPs). Through financial
aid, technical expertise, and industry connections, we enable entrepreneurs to bring their innovative ideas to life,
building functional prototypes that can be tested and validated in real-world scenarios.
aid, technical expertise, and industry connections, we enable entrepreneurs to bring their innovative ideas to life,
building functional prototypes that can be tested and validated in real-world scenarios.
Product Trials
We believe in the importance of validating products and solutions in real-market conditions. We provide
financial support to startups for conducting product trials, gathering user feedback, and iterating on their offerings
to ensure they meet the needs and expectations of the tourism industry.
financial support to startups for conducting product trials, gathering user feedback, and iterating on their offerings
to ensure they meet the needs and expectations of the tourism industry.
Market Entry and Commercialization
We assist startups in scaling their operations and entering the market successfully. We provide seed funding and
strategic guidance to help entrepreneurs refine their go-to-market strategies, secure partnerships, and establish a
strong presence in the tourism industry.
strategic guidance to help entrepreneurs refine their go-to-market strategies, secure partnerships, and establish a
strong presence in the tourism industry.