IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF)
Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program (EiR)
Powered by Operation Dronagiri and Geo-intel Lab, IITTNi
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiR)
The Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) Programme is designed to encourage high-potential individuals to take the entrepreneurial path by reducing startup risks and easing the opportunity cost of stepping away from lucrative careers. It enables participants to build strong networks, gain expert support, and advance their entrepreneurial ambitions, transforming innovative concepts into scalable, product-driven startups. This will increase the job-providers in the country and hence there is job creation. Also, the nation will grow technologically strong which will give strategic advantage.
Last Date to Apply – 18 January 2026, 6 PM
What is the EiR Program ?
The EiR Programme supports the innovators with funding, mentorship and infrastructure support to pursue a promising technology-based business idea and convert it into a product making startup.
Objectives
- Encourage graduating students and innovators to pursue entrepreneurship by providing fellowship support.
- Enable the creation of new startups and facilitate progress through mentorship, business and industry connect and training programs.
Support provided
Target Audience
Ideal for first-generation entrepreneurs who have:
Expected Outcomes
EIR candidates will explore a technology-based business idea to:
- Develop a product up to prototype/MVP
- Assess commercialization potential.
- Develop a business plan.
- Validate market, industry, technical, and financial feasibility.
- Identify team members and funding sources.
- Get incubated at IITTNiF for product development and commercialization.
Focus Sectors
- Geo-AI
- 3D-GIS
- AR/VR in Navigation/GIS
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) based applications
- GIS based digital governance
Preference
- Technology ideas with high uncertainty or long gestation periods.
- Ideas leveraging IP/technology from publicly funded research.
- Ideas with strong social impact or job creation potential.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Indian citizen.
- Completed 4 years of full-time undergraduate/postgraduate education (science or engineering).
- OR a 3-year science/engineering degree/diploma + 2 years full-time work experience.
- Must commit to pursuing the idea full-time.
- Must propose one scalable technology-based business idea.
- Must demonstrate the ability to build a scalable tech startup and present a business plan.
- Must register for incubation at IITTNiF
Not Eligible If
- Are a promoter or significant shareholder (>10%) of another company.
- The applicant or team members have previously availed any other startup/innovator grant
- Have received similar support for the same innovative concept
- Do not meet the education or eligibility criteria
- Are not pursuing the idea full-time
- Are unwilling to join incubation at IITTNiF
- Are seeking funding for research or internships
- Are not aiming for commercialization.
Important Notes
- Application submission does not guarantee selection.
- Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.
- Evaluation committee decisions are final.
- Selected applicants must join incubation.
- Within 3 months, the innovator has to register their startup as a private limited company.
- Screening takes 4–8 weeks; lack of communication implies non-selection.
- The program is governed by the IITTNiF policies and the decision of the IITTNiF management is final.
- IITTNiF management reserves the right to make amendments to the program as per requirements.