IIT Hyderabad Seed Fund

The IIT Hyderabad Seed Fund (SISFS) is a government-backed initiative designed to provide early-stage funding to startups developing and validating their business ideas and products. The program offers financial support over a period of up to two years, aiming to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the Indian startup ecosystem. Startups can apply through the Startup India portal, selecting IIT Hyderabad as their preferred incubator, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Upon graduation from the program, startups become part of the iTIC Alumni Network, gaining access to a broader ecosystem that includes students, faculty, researchers, mentors, investors, and policymakers, thereby facilitating ongoing support and resources for further growth.

Eligibility criteria for the SISFS program include being a DPIIT-recognized startup incorporated not more than two years prior to application, having at least 51% Indian shareholding, and working on a deep-tech solution with potential for market fit, commercialization, and scalability. Additionally, the startup should not have received over INR 10 Lakhs in financial support from other government schemes, excluding prize money and subsidized services. This ensures that the fund targets nascent companies with high growth potential in emerging technologies.

The SISFS program is managed by the iTIC Foundation at IIT Hyderabad, which serves as the Technology Business Incubator for the institute. The iTIC Foundation provides various support services to startups, including mentorship, infrastructure, and access to a network of industry experts and investors. This comprehensive support system aims to nurture startups from the ideation stage to commercialization, contributing to the development of a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in India.