Atal Incubation Centre Guide for Startups in India

Atal Incubation Centre: A Complete Guide on India’s Thriving Startup Ecosystem

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Aiming to build a startup? What if your idea had the right mentorship, funding, and ecosystem to scale? That is exactly what the Atal Incubation Centre delivers in the form of the right mentorship, funding and an ecosystem to scale.

Having said that, India has rapidly grown to be the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem that houses more than 115,000 DPIIT-recognised startups 115,000 DPIIT-recognised startups with more than 110 unicorns as of today in 2025. But this rapid growth is not at all accidental; rather, it is an outcome of strong policy push, access to capital, and an incubation that not only supports the budding entrepreneurs but also nurtures them through each step from ideation to execution.

One such nurturing body that stands today is the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC), which is an initiative under the Atal Innovation Mission. While the centre was designed to offer cutting-edge infrastructure, mentorship, funding access, and a collaborative environment, today it has stood upon all its aims and plays a major role in shaping India’s innovation journey.

Whether you are a student with an idea, a researcher with a breakthrough, or an entrepreneur wanting to scale your business, AIC Bangalore fuels this momentum by bridging the gap between your idea and impact, which results in the birth of scalable ventures holding the potential to reshape India’s economic landscape.

Having said that, as an individual with aspiration and idea, how exactly do Atal Incubation Centre’s programs benefit you and what makes the AIC network one of the country’s most impactful innovations and to some extent the backbone of India’s startup revolution?

Going forward, this blog aims to understand the intricacies of Atal Incubation Centre, its working principle, frameworks, and how, by choosing the right funding channels, you can transform your vision into a venture.

Why does India need incubation programs to shape the next wave of entrepreneurial champions?

While India registers over 75,000 new startups every year, another statistic that needs to be highlighted is that out of the 75 thousand only a fraction survive beyond the first three years of operating. But why? Is the idea bad? Or the functioning? Well, the reason stands clear.

Lack of mentorship, early-stage funding, and structured business support not only increases the risk of losses but also a dream dying. This is because turning an idea into a business that lasts calls for more than just passion and innovative ideas.

Rather, it calls for the demanded infrastructure, mentorship, capital, and networks that are backed by strategic guidance, industry linkages, and investor access that makes sure that your dreams find the door to grow out of and be a major contributor in the next wave of innovation.

For a more detailed analysis, here is what India needs such incubation programs by government-backed initiatives such as Startup India and Atal Innovation Mission to produce world-class entrepreneurs:

They bridge the gap between ideas and execution

A major reason that makes the presence of incubation centres in India more important is the lack of technical know-how, business strategies and market insights among entrepreneurs who do have innovative ideas. The whole point of having such incubation programs for start-ups is to provide mentorship and resources in a structured way that would help them transform their ideas into scalable businesses.

They bring access to mentorship and expertise

One of the most common areas of gap amongst most budding entrepreneurs is that they often struggle with management, operations, or fundraising, which are the pillars of entrepreneurship. To fill this same gap, such incubators connect startups with experienced mentors, industry experts, as well as successful entrepreneurs who not only help in accelerating your learning process but also avoid any costly mistakes.

They fund and bring you investor access

Another hurdle that most startups face is raising early-stage capital. An incubation program backed by the Government of India holds the potential to bring to you the needed seed funding or facilitate your introductions to angel investors, venture capitalists, or government funding schemes.

They foster innovation in key sectors

Most startups fail in India because the opportunities that are offered in the fields of technology, agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, and deep tech require a structured experimentation that most entrepreneurs do not get the opportunity. For the same, AIC provides entrepreneurs like you with labs, prototyping facilities, and collaborative workspaces, which not only allow you to innovate without high initial cost but also reduce the risk of opportunity cost.

They reduce your startup failure rates

When it comes to startups, we have seen that over 90% of startups fail within the first few years, due to poor planning or lack of resources. Thus, when you work alongside such incubation programs, they not only de-risk entrepreneurship by offering structured programs and networking, but also with feedback mechanisms that would help you get expert advice as well.

They create an entrepreneurial ecosystem

When you have an incubation centre backing you, the benefit you get is that such programs naturally attract investors, talent, and knowledge networks. Having this ecosystem effect allows you to not only pursue entrepreneurship but also strengthen India’s position as a global startup hub.

They align your startup with government and policy alignment

While the Indian government does support programs such as Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission(AIM), and various other state-level incubators, which aim to not only boost job creation and economic growth but also innovation, such incubation programs act as a bridge between policy initiatives and real-world entrepreneurial outcomes.

In addition to this, such incubators help normalise risk-taking, failure, and learning from mistakes and create a mindset that is conducive to entrepreneurship since traditionally Indian society favoured stable careers in IT, government, or even corporate sectors. Moreover, India’s incubation programs are necessary for turning the raw potential into successful businesses that hold the potential to drive economic growth, technological advancement, and job creation in the country.

How did NITI Aayog’s AIC initiative start, and what makes it an innovation hub?

On a global basis, India’s startup story is one of the most bold, risk-taking, which drives to not only solve real-world challenges but also to shape the future of India’s entrepreneurial landscape. Where every great idea needs the right environment to grow, Atal Incubation Centre(AICs), which was launched by NITI Aayog under the Atal Innovation Mission in 2016, came in to support.

Designed with the intention of innovation hubs, AICs provide you with the right mentorship, resources, and networks to not only create a structured ecosystem where startups get an opportunity to position themselves as an important innovation hub for building sustainable as well as impactful businesses.

Where it stands as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, let us see how NITI Aayog’s AIC initiative started and what makes it an innovation hub!

To begin with, how it started was with a vision to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across India for nurturing startups and new technologies to fill in the gap in incubation, mentorship, and access to funding. While the launch of AIC was under AIM, the centre provided a structured platform for innovators. Established through the grants and partnerships with institutions such as state universities, R&D bodies, corporates, and private players NITI Ayog provides up to 10 crores of financial assistance for setting up each AIC, along with operational guidance.

Now coming to what makes AIC an innovation hub, let us have a look at the same in a step-by-step manner:

Nationwide Incubation Network

AICs that are spread across India are one such supporting body that not only covers tier-1 but also tier-3 cities to make sure there is an inclusive growth of the startup ecosystem nationwide.

End-to-end startup support

What makes AIC’s initiatives an innovation hub is its end-to-end support of infrastructure, including labs, coworking spaces, and prototyping facilities, along with mentorship from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors who also help in funding through government schemes and venture capital networks for you.

Sectoral diversity

Atal Incubation Centre not only specialise in areas such as agritech, healthcare, AI/ML, renewable energy, space tech, fintech, and social innovation but also has programs such as the AIC women entrepreneur mentoring program, which supports rural innovators for inclusivity.

Collaborative ecosystem

Atal Incubation Centres also act as the meeting points for startups, academia, corporates, and policymakers who not only host hackathons and demo days but also essential networking events.

Global linkages

When you work with such incubation centers, they already have partnerships with international innovation hubs across the world from the US, Europe, and East Asia to give startups and entrepreneurs access to global markets.

Moreover, NITI Aayog’s Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) have emerged as a vital member in India’s startup ecosystem by offering structured mentorship, infrastructure, funding access, and global linkages that bridge the gap between ideas and execution. Apart from this, going forward, AICs will be central to India’s vision of inclusive growth, job creation, and global competitiveness through building successful businesses.

What funding opportunities does AIC offer to fuel startup growth in India?

If we discuss the success of a startup, especially in its early stages, funding is one of the most critical factors. Taking into consideration the same, NITI Aayog’s Atal Incubation Centre ( AICs) under the Atal Innovation Mission was established to play a major role in serving as gateways to the financial opportunities, which would help entrepreneurs secure the resources they would need to prototype, test, and grow their businesses.

Now, as a young entrepreneur, here is what opportunities that you would get from Atal Incubation Centre:

You get seed funding support

NITI Aayog not only provides each AIC a grant-in-aid with up to 10 crore rupees over the term of 5 years but also sets up and operates the incubation centre. From this grant, the incubator offers you the seed funding for an early-stage startup, which acts as a major help for your prototyping stage, product validation and for that initial market entry.

You get to showcase your product

Another opportunity that you get is that startups that are incubated under AICs get the opportunity to participate in Atal New India Challenge(ANIC), which also grants you funding of more than 1 crore per startup for solving any critical national problems in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, energy, and water.

You get linkages of investors and venture capital

While AICs regularly organise demo days, pitch sessions, and networking events, it brings you an opportunity to introduce your idea in front of angel investors, venture capital firms, and corporate investors, which allows you to improve your chances of raising equity-based growth capital even beyond the government support that you get in AIC.

You get corporate partnerships

There are many Atal Incubation Centres that collaborate with large corporations under the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) initiatives, as a result of which you can receive certain project-specific grants or codevelopment funding, which brings you an opportunity to scale your innovations as well.

You get international funding and exchange programs

If your startup is an incubator of AIC, then you would get an opportunity to raise international funding and be a part of exchange programs as well. This is because AICs partners with global innovation hubs, development agencies, and universities, which brings your startup an opportunity to access foreign grants, competitions, and soft loans as well.

You get access to government schemes

In such centres, through AIM, you get an opportunity to be guided into various government funding that would align with your business model. Such government schemes that you can access are SIDBI Fund of Funds for Startup(FFS), Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups( CGSS), BiRAC funding for biotech, health startups and schemes such as DST or NIDHI for technology-based startups.

In addition to these, when you partner with Atal Incubation Centres, you get opportunities that go far beyond offering mentorship and infrastructure. These opportunities are hidden in the form of critical funding pathways that allow you to move ahead from ideation to commercialisation. Moreover, by combining government support, AIC stands as a powerful engine for your businesses’ growth and sustainability in India.

Where India’s startups take off: Top Atal Incubation Centers across the nation

India’s startup ecosystem is vast and diverse, but behind every successful venture lies the right support system. Atal Incubation Centres across the nation are providing just that, nurturing innovators, providing resources, mentorship, and funding to help startups take flight.

Atal Incubation Centres spread nationwide are at the heart of this growth, fueling the success of countless high-potential startups. From a small idea in a student’s notebook to a billion-dollar venture, India’s startups have taken remarkable journeys. And many of these journeys start at Atal Incubation Centres, the country’s hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Here’s an overview of some prominent AICs making significant strides in India’s startup ecosystem:

1. AIC-BIMTECH (Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh)

Affiliated with Birla Institute of Management Technology, AIC-BIMTECH has incubated over 150 startups and hosted events like the “Google AI Day for Startups,” focusing on AI and investment strategies.

2. AIC-CCRI-CED (Bengaluru, Karnataka)

Located at the Coffee Board’s headquarters, this centre specializes in agritech, particularly in coffee, spices, and food processing sectors. It collaborates with the Central Coffee Research Institute and offers mentorship and infrastructure support.

3. AIC-GIM (Goa Institute of Management, Goa)

Since its inauguration in 2021, AIC-GIM has supported over 22 startups and conducted more than 35 ecosystem programs, focusing on sustainable and socially impactful ventures.

4. AIC-JKLU (Jaipur, Rajasthan)

Promoted by JK Laxmipat University, AIC-JKLU offers virtual incubation programs and aims to support entrepreneurs across India, leveraging its 125-year legacy of contributions to nation-building.

5. AIC-SMU (Sikkim Manipal University, Sikkim)

AIC-SMU is a significant incubator in Northeast India, having received a grant of ₹8 crores to support startups in sectors like infotainment, adventure tourism, and cybersecurity.

6. AIC-CCMB (Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad)

AIC-CCMB focuses on biotech and life sciences startups, providing them with access to state-of-the-art laboratories and industry connections.

7. AIC ALEAP We-Hub (Hyderabad, Telangana)

Dedicated to women entrepreneurs, this incubator offers co-working spaces, lab facilities, mentorship, and seed funding, aiming to empower women in various sectors.

8. AIC-NITIE (Mumbai, Maharashtra)

Established by the National Institute of Industrial Engineering, AIC-NITIE supports tech startups from inception to scale, offering resources to a diverse range of aspiring entrepreneurs, including retirees and homemakers.

9. AIC RPCAU (Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar)

The Agri-Innovation and Incubation Centre at RPCAU has supported over 69 startups, focusing on sectors like honey processing, mushroom cultivation, and food processing, and has conducted numerous mentorship programs.

With 72 operational centres across India, the Atal Incubation Centres exemplify a strategic government initiative to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship.These incubators showcase how vision, resources, and mentorship can turn an idea into a successful enterprise, inspiring a new generation of innovators to dream bigger and aim higher. Hence, by emphasizing inclusivity and access, these incubators ensure that innovation is democratised and opportunities reach every corner of the country.

Ready to launch? Here’s a step-by-step process on how to apply and get selected to an Atal Incubation Centre

Got a game-changing idea? Your journey to incubation and mentorship starts here. Follow these steps to get selected by an Atal Incubation Centre and take your startup off the ground. If you’re ready to transform your idea into a scalable startup, here’s a clear, step-by-step guide on how to apply and secure a spot at an Atal Incubation Centre.

Step 1: Understand What AICs Offer

Mentorship: Guidance from industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and domain specialists.
Infrastructure: Access to office space, labs, co-working facilities, and technology tools.
Funding Support: Seed funding, grants, and opportunities to pitch to investors.
Networking: Opportunities to connect with other startups, corporate partners, and academia.
Training & Workshops: Programs on business strategy, fundraising, legal compliance, and marketing.

Step 2: Identify the Right AIC

Technology & IT: AIC-NITIE (Mumbai), AIC-BIMTECH (Noida)
Biotech & Life Sciences: AIC-CCMB (Hyderabad)
Agritech: AIC-RPCAU (Bihar), AIC-CCRI-CED (Bengaluru)
Women Entrepreneurs: ALEAP We-Hub (Hyderabad)
Social Impact & Sustainability: AIC-GIM (Goa)

Step 3: Prepare Your Startup Profile

Problem Statement: Describe the challenge your startup addresses.
Solution & Value Proposition: Explain your product/service and how it solves the problem.
Market Opportunity: Highlight your target market, competition, and growth potential.
Business Model: Outline how your startup will generate revenue and scale.
Team Profile: Introduce the founding team and their expertise.
Prototype or MVP (if available): Demonstrate tangible progress to increase credibility.

Step 4: Application Process

Visit the AIC Portal: Navigate to the “Apply” or “Startups” section of your chosen AIC.
Create an Account: Fill in basic details to create your profile.
Submit Application: Upload your startup profile, business plan, and any supporting documents (pitch deck, MVP demo, or videos).
Selection of Program Type: Some AICs offer virtual incubation, physical incubation, or hybrid options—choose the one that suits your startup stage.
Application Fee (if any): While many AICs do not charge, some may require a nominal fee for administrative purposes.

Step 5: Evaluation & Shortlisting

Screening: Initial check for completeness and alignment with AIC focus areas.
Expert Review: Mentors and sector experts assess the feasibility, scalability, and innovation potential.
Pitch or Interview: Shortlisted startups may be invited to present their idea virtually or in person.

Moreover, securing a spot at an Atal Incubation Centre can be the catalyst that turns your idea into a scalable, successful startup. With a structured approach, thorough preparation, and a clear vision, you can leverage the mentorship, resources, and network provided by AICs to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Atal Incubation Centre stands as more than just a support system; it is the launchpad for India’s next generation of innovators. By offering mentorship, funding, infrastructure, and global networks, AIC bridges the critical gap between ideas and execution.

Moreover, by leveraging AIC’s programs, entrepreneurs can transform concepts into scalable businesses while avoiding common pitfalls.

Hence, with nationwide networks, sectoral diversity, and access to both national and international funding, AIC ensures that promising ideas have a fighting chance to succeed. Moreover, by joining its network, entrepreneurs not only build businesses, but they also contribute to shaping India’s future as a global innovation powerhouse.