RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University
Research Innovation Incubation Design Lab
Somaiya Vidyavihar University
National Award-winning incubator at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, with 160+ startups incubated, 600+ jobs created, and ecosystem valued at over INR 1,226 crore.
RIIDL at a glance
| Full name | Research Innovation Incubation Design Lab |
|---|---|
| Part of | Somaiya Vidyavihar University |
| Established | 2010 |
| Address | riidl, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Vidyavihar, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Programmes | 2 standing programmes · 1 open call right now |
| Official website | riidl.org |
Programs by RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University
1 open now · 3 past · Filter all programs
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, separate from the funding calls above.
Note the booking route. riidl lets you book its labs directly rather than requiring incubation first, which is unusual and makes it useful even to a team that does not want a desk. Charges are not published.
Facility booking
Platformriidl's labs can be booked directly, including by people who are not incubated.
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
A dedicated booking page for the fabrication, media, AI/ML and AR/VR labs. Like C-CAMP's technology services, this is a route in for someone who needs equipment rather than incubation. Charges are not published on the page.
Startup support
IncubationIncubation with in-house expertise in IT, electronics, microbiology, marketing and business development.
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
riidl states it supports startups from incubation through to Series A, with introductions to angels and VCs through partnerships. No funding scheme, amount or equity term is published.
Incubation tracks
The routes into RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, and what each one includes.
riidl is design-led rather than funding-led. What it offers is 24/7 space, an unusual spread of labs, and in-house expertise; capital comes through its angel and VC network rather than an in-house scheme. Judge it on facilities and access.
| Track | Type | Space | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incubationriidl publishes no fee, tenure or equity term. Facilities are separately bookable, including by non-incubatees. | Resident incubation | — | 24/7 access, Dedicated workspace, High-speed WiFi, Meeting rooms, Lockers |
Labs & facilities
Equipment and space on campus.
The most eclectic lab set of any incubator profiled here: digital fabrication alongside a DIY Bio Lab, an AI/ML lab, and separate AR/VR and media labs. That mix suits interaction design, hardware and immersive media rather than deep science, and reflects riidl's design-school origins.
Digital Fabrication Lab
Prototyping, testing and hands-on build.
DIY Bio Lab
A community bio lab — uncommon in a design-led incubator.
AI/ML Lab
AR/VR Lab
Media Lab
24/7 workspace
Dedicated desks, meeting rooms and lockers.
A design school's incubator, and what that changes
riidl — Research Innovation Incubation Design Labs — sits at Somaiya Vidyavihar University in Mumbai, and reads differently from most incubators. Its five stated pillars are Research, Innovation, Incubation, Design and Laboratory, and design thinking is named as a method rather than a service.
The lab mix tells the story. A digital fabrication lab and a DIY Bio Lab, an AI/ML lab, and separate AR/VR and media labs. That is a set built for interaction design, immersive media and hardware — an unusual combination, and one that suits teams whose product is as much experience as engineering.
You can book the labs without being incubated. riidl runs a dedicated facility-booking page, so equipment access does not require joining a programme. If what you need is a fabrication run or an AR/VR setup rather than a desk, that is the fastest route in.
What incubation includes: 24/7 access to workspace, meeting rooms and lockers, plus in-house expertise across IT, electronics, microbiology, marketing and business development. riidl describes support running from incubation through to Series A, with angel and VC introductions via its partnerships.
Best fit: design-led hardware, immersive media and interaction-heavy products, particularly for founders already in the Mumbai ecosystem. Booking charges and incubation terms are quoted on request.
About RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University
Research Innovation Incubation Design Lab (RIIDL) was established in 2010 by Somaiya Vidyavihar on its Mumbai campus to drive innovation and entrepreneurship. It is registered as a Section 8 not-for-profit company with over 20,000 sq ft of incubation space, and is supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (BIRAC), and the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS).
RIIDL received the National Award for Emerging Technology Business Incubator in 2020 from DST. Since inception, it has incubated over 160 startups, facilitated the creation of more than 600 jobs, and contributed to a startup ecosystem valued at over INR 1,226 crore. Key focus sectors include healthcare, food, agritech, embedded electronics, and SMAC (Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud). RIIDL also houses India's first Community Bio Lab (DIY bio lab), partnered with MIT Media Lab.
Who Benefits
Early-stage startups and student innovators in Mumbai working in healthcare, food tech, agritech, electronics, and digital technologies who need lab infrastructure, mentorship, and connections to funding networks.
Who they work with
Stage
Sectors
Technology
Tags
Frequently asked questions about RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University
What is the full form of RIIDL?
RIIDL stands for Research Innovation Incubation Design Lab.
What does RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University do?
Research Innovation Incubation Design Lab (RIIDL) was established in 2010 by Somaiya Vidyavihar on its Mumbai campus to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
Where is RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University located?
RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University is located at riidl, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Vidyavihar, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
What programs does RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University run?
RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University currently has 1 open programme: NIDHI-Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS) at RIIDL. 3 further programmes have run in the past.
What sectors does RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University support?
RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University works with startups in HealthTech, Food Tech, AgriTech, Electronics and BioTech.
What stage of startup does RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University support?
RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University supports startups at the Ideation, Pre-Seed and Seed stages.
What facilities does RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University offer?
RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University offers Digital Fabrication Lab, DIY Bio Lab, AI/ML Lab, AR/VR Lab, Media Lab and 24/7 workspace.
How do I apply to RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University?
Applications run through each programme's own call. RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University lists 1 open programme — check the programme page for its deadline and eligibility, or apply via https://riidl.org/.
When was RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University founded?
RIIDL, Somaiya Vidyavihar University was founded in 2010. It operates as an academic.
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