

About the Accelerator Program
NIDHI Accelerator is aimed to help aspiring entrepreneurs in the country, including the ventures already being incubated, to be guided in a rigorous and more structured manner, through a deep mentoring process and access to funding and market networks. NIDHI accelerator is positioned for accelerating startups that have made significant progress in terms of market validation and are at the growth and scale-up stage

Who Can Apply
Startups with Prototype ready for market validation, Pre-Revenue Stage, raising private investments
Cohort
15 Innovators
Application Window Starts From
1st-31st Aug 2022
Objectives of NIDHI-Accelerator
- To fast track the growth of potential startups through rigorous mentoring and networking support in a short span.
- To attract subject matter experts, mentors, and angel investors get associated through the structured accelerator program.
- To build a vibrant startup ecosystem, by establishing a network between academia, financial institutions, industries, and other institutions.
- To act as a hub for several incubators in the region, so that high-potential startups can be fast-tracked for increased exposure and validation.
- Employ a “fail fast” approach: ideas or prototypes that are not getting traction should be abandoned (or modified) quickly, allowing founders to redeploy resources to other projects or even new companies at a rapid pace.
Takeaways
For the selected 15 Startups
- One-to-one Mentoring
- Investment Opportunity
- Customized Business Plan
- Pre-commercialization Support
- Product Refinement
- Demo Day
Focus Area

HealthTech
Learn the basics of entrepreneurship, marketing and technology!

Bioenergy
Learn to lead and delegate – choose your right fit.

AI/ML and IoT
Connect with peers and mentors who will add value to your proposition.

AgriTech
Brainstorming among consorts and coming up with an idea.

Waste Management
Learn the magical science of storytelling for your journey.

Industrial Biotechnology
Tentative Timeline and Process Flow for Applications
Application Window
1st Aug – 31st Aug 2022
- Only the applications that are submitted online will be accepted for further evaluation in this Accelerator Program. No email/hard copies will be considered.
- Preliminary assessments and compliance checks would be conducted on all completed applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered eligible.
Shortlisting & Onboarding
1st Sept – 30st Sept 2022
- Signing of MoU and Post Onboarding Guidelines
- Sharing of Program Structure, Calendar, Reporting Documents etc
Accelerator Phase
Oct – Dec 2022
- TheCircle and KIIT-TBI will run a structured 90 days deep mentoring program with the following objectives – provide the Startups with a momentum to establish a strong position in the market by idea validation, identifying the business opportunities, making potential customers, building a scalable business model and building Go-To-Market strategy.
Demo Day
5th January 2023
- Introducing the startups to investor network for co-investment opportunities
- Award to startups: Top 3 startups to be considered for a mini grant.
- Closing Ceremony as a part of the Demo Day
Program Offerings

Deep Mentorship

Sharing Best Practices

Increase in Scale of Innovation

Access to Incubation Facilities

Market Connect & Pilot Support

Networking

Funding

Support Services
PREVIOUS IMPACT
Startups Incubated
Grant Support
SEED Funding Raised
Investment Raised
Investors Engaged
Contact Us:
Write to us: [email protected]
For Queries, Contact:
Dr. Namrata Misra | namrata[email protected]
Mr. Vishal JC | [email protected]
Mr. Aryan Jaiswal | [email protected] | +91-9348880168
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
No, you cannot edit your proposal after you have made the submission.
Yes, the applicant can submit two applications within the above focus areas and eligibility criteria as mentioned. Please note that each application is associated with one email address. Therefore, please use different email addresses if you are making more than one application.
The top 15 startups recommended by the External Screening Committee will be selected for the Accelerator program.
TRL 9 – Technology has been applied in its final form and is operational.
TRL 8 – Technology is proven and developed but not yet operational or applied anywhere.
TRL 7 – Actual system prototype is near completion or ready and has been demonstrated in an operational environment or is at pilot level.
TRL 6 – Prototype is being tested in simulated operational environment or in a high- fidelity laboratory environment.
TRL 5 – Technology has been put together and can be tested in a simulated environment.
TRL 4 – Basic technological components have been integrated to establish that they work together.
TRL 3 – Proof of Concept stage / Active R&D/ Advanced prototype has been initiated. This includes analytical studies and laboratory studies to physically validate the analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology.
TRL 2 – Technology concept / application formulated
Yes, an applicant will be eligible for funding upon final selection but the final decision on funding will be taken after due diligence as described above.
Applicant organizations will have to produce relevant supporting documents if they are shortlisted, without which the shortlist process cannot proceed. Therefore, the applicant should apply with the registration document.
KIIT-TBI encourages applicants to share knowledge, processes and solutions that emerge from the proposal for benefit of society and accelerate the same in times of crisis.
Please submit queries via email to [email protected]