DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Program Cohort 08

Applications are now open for Cohort 08 of the DST–GDC I-NCUBATE Program, a flagship deep-tech entrepreneurship and commercialization initiative by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and GDC, IIT Madras. The program is designed to help faculty members, researchers, students, translational research teams, and early-stage startups transform STEM-based research innovations into scalable deep-tech ventures.

• The intensive 8-week hybrid program focuses on entrepreneurial mindset development, business acumen, customer discovery, and startup commercialization for innovators working on technologies at TRL 3–5 stages. Participants will undergo structured workshops, weekly webinars, mentorship sessions, office hours with instructors, self-study modules, and customer discovery exercises involving more than 100 stakeholder interactions.
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• Selected teams will gain exposure to scientific entrepreneurship methodologies, startup validation frameworks, market discovery processes, and hands-on venture-building approaches tailored for deep-tech startups. Participants will also receive mentorship from industry experts and business mentors while accessing IIT Madras’ innovation ecosystem.

The program is open to faculty members, researchers, students, translational research teams, and early-stage startups from Indian STEM institutions who possess a working prototype or proof of concept. Teams must include at least one Faculty Lead/Principal Investigator and at least two Entrepreneur Leads committed to building a scalable startup around the innovation.

The program is free to participate in, and accommodation will be provided during in-person sessions at IIT Madras.

Apply here: https://zfrmz.in/4iiuxmW3ZHA5N6IiLzv3