Pune: COEP Bhau Institute of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Leadership has extended the application deadline for its NIDHI-PRAYAS 2025 program to May 15, 2025.
Supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, the PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Technology Entrepreneurs) program is part of the larger NIDHI (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations) initiative to support innovators working on hardware-based solutions.
Designed to nurture India’s next generation of deep-tech and hardware entrepreneurs, the COEP Bhau Institute program offers:
- Grant-in-aid of up to ₹10 lakhs
- Access to Bhau Institute’s technical infrastructure and prototyping labs
- Incubation support, mentorship, and expert guidance
Each year, 10 innovators are selected as ‘PRAYASEES’ through a rigorous panel selection process. Once selected, they receive not just funding but full access to the innovation ecosystem required to transform their ideas into tangible, scalable prototypes.
Upon completion, these prototypes can be taken to the next level through further incubation and commercialization.
COEP Bhau Institute: Sectoral focus areas for 2025 include
- IoT and AI applications
- Cyber Security
- Electric Vehicles and Smart Mobility
- Healthcare Technologies
- Grassroots Innovation
- Renewable Energy
Applicants must meet specific criteria such as not having previously received similar support from any Government of India organization for the same concept. Innovators affiliated with institutes must also obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to apply.
The NIDHI-PRAYAS program is a unique opportunity for innovators and aspiring founders to build, validate, and launch hardware-based solutions that can drive sustainable impact and economic development.
Apply now before May 15, 2025: https://bhau.org/nidhi-prayas/
