You might have a brilliant idea that you are sure can change the lives of people, however every idea needs to be a developed into a viable business proposition. At AIC-SEED, we will help you to refine and develop your idea to realize maximum value. Based on the stage of your idea and your current requirements, we will suggest a suitable incubation program. Although your idea may be at a nascent stage now, it must have the potential to be converted into a business focused on commercialization of the idea or technology, in future. Please apply with preliminary details of the idea/ innovation / technology, business plan.

We value all information shared with us and maintain highest levels of confidentiality. We advise you to share only non-confidential information at this stage. A summary of your startup idea/ business plan is required for us to evaluate its suitability for incubation at AIC-SEED. We are also open to having a Non Disclosure Agreement prior to exchange of any information.

An applicant may be either an entity, an individual entrepreneur, or a team of aspiring entrepreneurs. The application is favorably considered based on the following key criteria:

• An alignment with our focus areas: Biotech, healthcare, pharma, advanced materials, AI/ML, data science, clean tech
• An innovation based on science and technology, and involving an R&D component, the complexity of the problem being solved
  Besides, the applicant’s requirements must match with the operational model of facilities and resources available at AIC-SEED.

As every entrepreneurial idea is unique and therefore, so too are the requirements. Depending on the TRL of your idea, stage of your startup, and availability of resources with you, we will suggest the incubation program most suitable for your needs. It is difficult to predict how much developing your product idea will cost or how long it will take. Every idea undergoes several iterations before a MVP is introduced. The time and costs also vary depending on the level of complexity involved in your startup idea. Typically, our Pre-incubation program “Seedlings” is for three months, Early incubation program “Saplings” is for 1.5 to 2 years, while Advanced incubation program “Green Shoots” and Virtual incubation programs are for customized duration.

AIC-SEED follows both the models for engagement with incuabtee companies. Generally, we do not seek equity investment in our incubatees companies, unless we have an active engagement with the incubatee and have contributed by way of technology, intellectual property, IPR, seed fund or other value added services.

AIC-SEED will launch a separate seed fund to invest in incubatee startups. The seed funding support has not yet been operationalized. The startup must be incubated at AIC-SEED for at least one year, prior to be eligible for seed funding.

The time duration varies as per the incubation program and as per the business growth stage of the startup.
Typically AIC-SEED expects incubatees companies to graduate from the incubator in a period of upto three years.

Incubatee companies are required to update AIC-SEED regularly regarding their progress. AIC-SEED’s main objective is to help the incubatee in case of any challenges faced. AIC-SEED leverages its network of mentors and other incubators to help overcome such challenges.

Access to IISER Pune resources will be on separate terms and conditions as per IISER Pune’s policy. Please get in touch with us for specific requirements.

In the initial cohorts, the current program caters to students of IISER Pune. However, we shall soon open this to students of other institutes as per eligibility criteria.