IIMK LIVE

Varies

IIMK LIVE Business Incubation Programme (BIP) - Kochi Campus

Varies

WeaveX Textile Incubation Program – IIM Kozhikode Live

Up to ₹50L

USHUS Seed Grant Program at IIMK LIVE

₹10L – ₹30L

DST–NIDHI Seed Support Scheme (SSS) at IIMK LIVE

under NIDHI-SSS (Seed Support System)

Up to ₹1Cr

USHUS Equity Funding Program at IIMK LIVE

Full Business Incubation Program (BIP) guide

Varies

Which IIMK LIVE programme fits you

13 programmes compared by who they are for, the stage they accept, how long they run and what they cost.

By stage

Idea: GENESIS EiR, NIDHI Seed Support Scheme (NIDHI-SSS), Weave X, Idea Vault, BOUNCER
Prototype: Business Incubation Program (BIP), Business Incubation Program (BIP) — Kochi Campus, DEEP LEAP, Weave X, BOUNCER
MVP: Business Incubation Program (BIP), Business Incubation Program (BIP) — Kochi Campus, DEEP LEAP, USHUS
Early revenue: USHUS, Weave X, SMARTSHREE, Matching Investment Program
Growth: SMARTSHREE, Matching Investment Program

Programme	Best for	Stage	Duration	Format	Cost
Business Incubation Program (BIP)	Early-stage founders with a proof of concept or prototype	Prototype – MVP	Up to 2 years	In person	Paid
Business Incubation Program (BIP) — Kochi Campus	Kerala-registered startups with a proof of concept or prototype	Prototype – MVP	Up to 2 years (one page section on the same site instead states a one-year maximum — check current terms before applying)	In person	—
DEEP LEAPWith Walmart	Deep-tech startups with a working prototype	Prototype – MVP	1 year	In person	Free
USHUSWith Cochin Shipyard Limited	DPIIT-recognised maritime-sector startups	MVP – Early revenue	6 to 12 months	In person	Takes equity
GENESIS EiRWith MeitY Startup Hub	Individuals with an early idea in emerging technology	Idea	—	In person	Takes equity
NIDHI Seed Support Scheme (NIDHI-SSS)	Early-stage founders with a technology-driven idea	Idea	—	—	—
Weave XWith Ministry of Textiles	Early-stage and growth-stage textile-sector startups	Idea, Prototype, Early revenue	1 year	—	Free
SMARTSHREEWith Kudumbashree Mission, Ministry of Rural Development	Women-led Kudumbashree self-help-group enterprises in Kerala	Early revenue – Growth	—	—	—
IGNITE	Startups serving micro-enterprises or self-help groups	—	—	—	—
Idea Vault	Idea-stage founders, students and professionals	Idea	—	Hybrid	—
Matching Investment Program	Market-ready, revenue-generating startups raising funds	Early revenue – Growth	4 months	In person	—
FundQuest	Founders preparing an investor pitch	—	—	Hybrid	Paid, no equity
BOUNCER	DPIIT-recognised, early-stage startups	Idea – Prototype	—	—	Paid, no equity

"—" means the programme's own page does not state it. Check each programme's page for current eligibility and intake dates.

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Programmes they run

Standing programmes at IIMK LIVE, separate from the funding calls above.

Business Incubation Program (BIP)

Incubation

The core incubation track for startups with a proof of concept or working prototype, supporting a company for up to two years.

Best for: Early-stage founders with a proof of concept or prototype

Prototype – MVP
Up to 2 years
In person
Paid

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

IIMK LIVE's main incubation programme, run at its Kozhikode campus, for entrepreneurs who already have a proof of concept or a working prototype.

What you get

Subsidised co-working space with Wi-Fi
Mentorship and advisory support
Introductions to angel investors and venture capitalists
Networking events and workshops
Access to government startup schemes

Who can apply

Entrepreneurs with a proof of concept or working prototype
The venture must be registered as a company, or register within three months of admission
Open to all founders; ideas from IIM Kozhikode students, alumni or faculty may get priority when equally strong

How selection works: Shortlisted applicants present their idea and business plan to a selection committee at the Kozhikode campus.

How to apply: Through the application form linked on the Business Incubation Program page.

Business Incubation Program (BIP) — Kochi Campus

Incubation

The same incubation track run at IIMK LIVE's Kochi campus, for startups registered in Kerala.

Best for: Kerala-registered startups with a proof of concept or prototype

Prototype – MVP
Up to 2 years (one page section on the same site instead states a one-year maximum — check current terms before applying)
In person

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

A Kochi-campus version of the Business Incubation Program, for startups registered in Kerala with a proof of concept or prototype.

What you get

Co-working space with high-speed internet at subsidised rates
Introductions to angel investors and venture capitalists

Who can apply

Startups registered in Kerala with a proof of concept or prototype
Must be a registered firm, or complete registration within three months of admission

How selection works: Applications are judged on business innovativeness, feasibility, strengths and market opportunity, with shortlisted founders presenting online to a selection committee.

How to apply: Through the application link on the BIP Kochi page.

DEEP LEAP

Incubation

A one-year deep-tech incubation programme run with Walmart, ending in an investor demo day.

Best for: Deep-tech startups with a working prototype

Prototype – MVP
1 year
In person
Free

With Walmart

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

IIMK LIVE's deep-tech incubation programme, run with Walmart as a supporting partner, for startups a year into building a working product.

What you get

Structured mentorship and training hours
Industry collaborations
Grant funding for select startups
A demo day in front of a room of investors

Who can apply

A registered Indian private limited company with at least 51% Indian ownership
Must have a prototype or further along
Founders committed full-time to the venture
Working in deep tech: AI, IoT, robotics, blockchain, space, quantum computing, cybersecurity, climate tech, drones or semiconductors

How selection works: Applications are judged on the innovation and uniqueness of the technology, market potential, scalability, team strength and readiness for acceleration; shortlisted startups go through a further selection round.

How to apply: Through the Apply Now link on the DEEP LEAP page. There is no fee to take part.

USHUS

Incubation

A maritime-sector incubation programme run with Cochin Shipyard Limited, taking equity in the startups it backs.

Best for: DPIIT-recognised maritime-sector startups

MVP – Early revenue
6 to 12 months
In person
Takes equity

With Cochin Shipyard Limited

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

A programme for maritime-sector startups, run jointly by IIMK LIVE and Cochin Shipyard Limited.

What you get

Mentorship, infrastructure and networking support
Business development and legal assistance
Pilot opportunities and market validation support
Grant and equity funding, with the equity stake set during selection and finalised in a term sheet

Who can apply

DPIIT-recognised startups
A maritime-sector product or service with a path to commercialisation and scale
Technology built into the core product, service, business model or distribution
International startups can apply if registered in India with at least 51% Indian shareholding

How to apply: Through the Apply Now form linked on the USHUS page.

GENESIS EiR

Fellowship

An Entrepreneur-in-Residence programme for emerging-technology ideas, implemented on behalf of MeitY Startup Hub.

Best for: Individuals with an early idea in emerging technology

Idea
In person
Takes equity

With MeitY Startup Hub

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

An Entrepreneur-in-Residence programme that IIMK LIVE implements as part of the government's GENESIS scheme, for individuals with an early idea in emerging technology.

Who can apply

Indian citizens aged 18 or above
Working on an idea in emerging technology such as AI, IoT or blockchain
Applicants from Tier II and III cities are eligible
The entity, if incorporated, must not be older than one year, and should be a private limited company or LLP
The idea must be original, not a copy of an existing product or service
The EiR must be physically incubated at IIMK LIVE

What you get: Grant funding, with an equity component.

How to apply: Reach out to IIMK LIVE's enquiry address, as no direct application link is published on the programme page.

Full NIDHI Seed Support Scheme (NIDHI-SSS) guide

NIDHI Seed Support Scheme (NIDHI-SSS)

Fellowship

An Entrepreneurs-in-Residence programme under the government's NIDHI scheme, for early-stage, technology-driven ideas.

Best for: Early-stage founders with a technology-driven idea

Idea

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

An Entrepreneurs-in-Residence programme run under the Department of Science and Technology's NIDHI scheme.

Who can apply

Indian citizens with an idea at the ideation or early-stage development phase
Not for startups that are already funded or well established
Committed to full-time work on a technology-driven idea

How selection works: Applicants are evaluated on their commitment, the strength of the technology focus, and how early-stage the idea is.

How to apply: Reach out to IIMK LIVE's enquiry address, as no direct application link is published on the programme page.

Weave X

Incubation

A one-year textile-sector incubation programme run with the Ministry of Textiles.

Best for: Early-stage and growth-stage textile-sector startups

Idea, Prototype, Early revenue
1 year
Free

With Ministry of Textiles

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

A sector-focused incubation programme for textile founders, run with the Ministry of Textiles as a supporting partner. Its most recent intake closed on 30 June 2026.

What you get

Grant funding for startups the selection committee recommends

Who can apply

Early-stage or growth-stage startups in the textile sector
A validated idea or prototype, or a focus on sustainability and the circular economy
No startup registration is required to apply

How selection works: Applications go through an internal selection committee for shortlisting, then a final external selection committee, judged on innovation, team strength, scalability and traction.

How to apply: Through the online application form on the Weave X page. Applying and taking part are both free.

SMARTSHREE

Grant scheme

A business-growth programme for women-led Kudumbashree self-help-group enterprises in Kerala, run with the Ministry of Rural Development.

Best for: Women-led Kudumbashree self-help-group enterprises in Kerala

Early revenue – Growth

With Kudumbashree Mission, Ministry of Rural Development

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

A joint programme between IIMK LIVE and Kudumbashree Mission, implemented with the Ministry of Rural Development, for women-led self-help-group enterprises already past their startup phase.

What you get

Mentorship sessions
Market connections
Training and capacity building
Grant funding, and a soft loan

Who can apply

Scale-up-stage enterprises with a minimum annual turnover, operating in one of 14 Kerala districts
Affiliated with Kudumbashree self-help groups
The venture must be registered as a company, or register within three months of admission

How to apply: Details are published on the SMARTSHREE page; contact IIMK LIVE's enquiry address for the current application window.

IGNITE

Incubation

A programme for startups building products or services specifically for micro-enterprises and self-help groups.

Best for: Startups serving micro-enterprises or self-help groups

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

A focused programme for startups whose product or service is built to help micro-enterprises or self-help groups.

What you get

Financial assistance
Prototype development support
Flexible incubation terms
Support entering the market and commercialising

Who can apply

A startup entity registered and based in India
An innovative product, service or technology that addresses a challenge specific to micro-enterprises or self-help groups

How to apply: Reach out to IIMK LIVE's enquiry address, as no direct application link is published on the programme page.

Idea Vault

Incubation

An idea-stage entry point that needs no registered company, ending in a boot camp at the Kozhikode campus for a shortlisted group.

Best for: Idea-stage founders, students and professionals

Idea
Hybrid

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

The earliest entry point into IIMK LIVE, for anyone with a clear idea rather than a running company.

What you get

Hybrid guidance combining virtual sessions with in-person time at the Kozhikode campus
Help developing an MVP or prototype, testing it with real users and iterating
A place in the IIMK LIVE startup ecosystem for those who make the final group

Who can apply

Early-stage founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, students, researchers or working professionals
Just need a clear idea or concept; no registered startup required

How selection works: The first fifty applications are accepted without screening, then narrowed to a top group who attend a two-day boot camp at the Kozhikode campus, judged on problem relevance, innovation potential and feasibility.

How to apply: Through the online application form on the Idea Vault page. Applying is free; the boot camp carries a small participation fee.

Full Idea Vault guide

Matching Investment Program

Grant scheme

A four-month programme for market-ready startups that matches a portion of externally raised funding.

Best for: Market-ready, revenue-generating startups raising funds

Early revenue – Growth
4 months
In person

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

A programme for startups that already have a market-ready, ideally revenue-generating product and are raising money, sector-agnostic.

What you get

Expert-led masterclasses on growth and fundraising in the first two months
One-on-one mentorship with investment experts in the following month
Introductions to a large pool of venture capital firms in the final stretch
Matching investment tied to external funds actually raised (government grants are not counted)

Who can apply

A market-ready product, preferably already generating revenue

How to apply: Through the application link on the Matching Investment Program page. Taking part does not guarantee funding.

FundQuest

Programme

A monthly, paid fundraising-pitch mentoring session, not a source of funding itself.

Best for: Founders preparing an investor pitch

Hybrid
Paid, no equity

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

A monthly mentoring format for founders working on their investor pitch, open to anyone with an idea or an active fundraise, with no shortlisting.

What you get

A ten-minute pitch slot followed by 30 to 40 minutes of mentorship from an expert
Sessions available in person at the Kochi campus or online

Who can apply

Any interested founder or aspiring entrepreneur; there is no shortlisting

How to apply: Submit a pitch deck and a short summary document at least two days before your session, then apply through the link on the FundQuest page. Registration closes at the end of each month. This is a mentoring session, not a source of funds — participants do not receive money from the mentors or investors involved.

BOUNCER

Programme

A monthly, paid one-on-one pitch session with industry and academic experts for early-stage DPIIT-recognised startups.

Best for: DPIIT-recognised, early-stage startups

Idea – Prototype
Paid, no equity

What you get, who can apply and how to apply

A monthly, paid mentoring session where founders present their business idea to a panel of industry and academic experts for direct feedback.

What you get

One-on-one feedback on your business model and scalability from industry veterans and academics

Who can apply

DPIIT-recognised, early-stage startups with an innovative product or service
Must not have received more than a set amount of Central or State government financial support
Indian founders must hold at least 51% equity in the startup

How to apply: Submit a one-page document using the provided template, then apply through the link on the BOUNCER page. Registration closes at the end of each month.