About this programme
Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE) 2.0 is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, designed to promote tech entrepreneurship through financial and technical support. The scheme is implemented through 51 empowered incubation centers across India over a 5-year period, providing grants and incubation support to approximately 2000 tech startups. TIDE 2.0 supports startups using emerging technologies (IoT, AI, Blockchain, Robotics) to develop solutions in areas of national concern: healthcare, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, infrastructure, transportation, environment, clean energy, and related sectors.
A grant is financial support you don’t repay — awarded against eligibility and, usually, agreed milestones or utilisation of funds. The amount and form of support that actually apply to you depend on the programme’s rules and how your application is assessed — they are not fixed for every applicant.
It is aimed at businesses in ict · iot · ai · blockchain · robotics · emerging technologies. Like most government programmes, it has its own eligibility conditions, documentation and application window, and these terms are revised from time to time. Because of that, it is worth confirming the current eligibility, amount and deadline on the official programme page before you invest time in applying.
How it works
TIDE 2.0 is implemented through a three-tier incubator network: Group 1 (6 premier academic centers), Group 2 (25 centers), and Group 3 (20 centers). Startups apply to incubators in their region. Idea/PoC stage startups are awarded Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) stipend of up to INR 4 Lakhs and 1-year pre-incubation support for idea validation. Advanced startups receive co-working space, mentoring, funding up to INR 1 crore, lab access, test beds, and networking. The scheme emphasizes holistic support combining capital, mentorship, infrastructure, and subject matter expertise.
Who can apply
Individuals, startups, or students with innovative business ideas at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher. Applicants should be Indian citizens with minimum 4 years of formal full-time undergraduate/postgraduate education in science or engineering disciplines. Startups must be at idea/PoC stage working on ICT-enabled emerging technologies. Parallel funding from both MeitY EiR and MeitY Grant schemes is not permitted.
How to apply
- Identify participating TIDE 2.0 incubator in your region
- Submit startup profile with team details and innovation description
- Present idea/PoC to incubator selection committee
- If selected, enter pre-incubation or incubation track based on stage
- Participate in structured mentoring, reviews, and milestone assessments
Documents you’ll typically need
- Founder resumes and team composition
- Business plan and product/service description
- Proof of Concept (PoC) documentation (if available)
- Technical feasibility report
- Proposed use of funding
The exact checklist depends on the programme and your specifics.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between TIDE 2.0 EiR and Grant schemes?
EiR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence) is a stipend-based pre-incubation support (up to INR 4 Lakhs) for idea-stage startups. Grant scheme provides direct funding for more advanced startups with validated PoCs.
Can I apply to multiple TIDE 2.0 incubators?
You should apply to the incubator nearest your location. Parallel funding from both MeitY EiR and MeitY Grant schemes is not permitted.
What is the maximum funding available under TIDE 2.0?
Early-stage startups receive EiR stipends up to INR 4 Lakhs. Advanced startups can access funding up to INR 1 crore, depending on incubator tier and project merit.
Reviewed July 2026. Government programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official programme page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.