PIEDS SIDBI iDEX Fund - BITS Pilani PIEDS
Under iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) by PIEDS
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Quick Answer
Up to ₹1.5 Cr for DPIIT-recognised iDEX-winning defence startups
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 31 March 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by PIEDS. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The PIEDS SIDBI iDEX Fund is a targeted seed funding initiative designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential startups operating in defence and allied technology sectors. This program is implemented by the Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) at BITS Pilani in collaboration with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) under the broader SIDBI Seed Fund Programme.
The primary objective of this fund is to support startups that have already demonstrated technical and strategic capability by winning challenges under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program. By focusing on such validated startups, the initiative ensures that capital is deployed towards ventures with proven innovation potential and relevance to national defence priorities.
Selected startups can receive investment support of up to ₹1.5 crore. This funding is intended to bridge the critical gap between prototype validation and market readiness. The fund enables startups to scale their innovations, undertake advanced product development, and move toward commercialization.
Beyond financial assistance, the program offers structured incubation support through PIEDS. This includes access to technical mentorship, infrastructure, and domain expertise necessary for refining and deploying defence technologies. Startups benefit from assistance in prototyping, conducting field trials, and preparing for real-world deployment scenarios. Additionally, the program emphasizes go-to-market readiness, helping founders navigate procurement processes, partnerships, and commercialization pathways.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) is the Technology Business Incubator of BITS Pilani, an autonomous not-for-profit society registered in 2013 under the Rajasthan Societies Registration Act. It is based at the Rakesh Kapoor Innovation Center on the…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹1.5 Cr
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Provides investment support of up to ₹1.5 crore to help validated defence-tech startups bridge the gap between prototype validation and market readiness. The money is intended for scaling the innovation, advanced product development, and moving toward commercialization. Selected startups incubate with PIEDS at BITS Pilani and receive structured non-cash support: technical mentorship, infrastructure and domain expertise, assistance with prototyping and field trials, and preparation for real-world deployment. The program also emphasises go-to-market readiness, helping founders navigate procurement processes, build partnerships, and map commercialisation pathways.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
