The IDFC FIRST Bank IGNITE Accelerator Program, implemented by BITS Pilani through PIEDS (Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society), is designed to support high-potential, revenue-generating early-scale startups building solutions with measurable social and environmental impact.
Selected startups will receive ₹20–25 Lakh grant support, along with structured acceleration, expert mentorship, investor readiness, ecosystem connections, and impact measurement
Deadline: 15th Sept 2026
About the Program
IDFC FIRST Bank IGNITE is a focused accelerator program for startups addressing some of India's most pressing challenges in climate and healthcare.
The program will support 8 revenue-generating, early-scale startups, with the possibility of expanding to up to 10 startups in exceptional circumstances.
Through the combined ecosystem of IDFC FIRST Bank and BITS Pilani, selected startups will receive the guidance, networks, resources, and structured support needed to strengthen their businesses and scale their impact.
The program places a strong emphasis on tangible community impact, ESG-linked milestones, and rigorous impact measurement.
Grant Support
Selected startups will receive grant support ranging from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh per startup, based on program evaluation, startup requirements, milestones, and applicable program terms.
Who Can Apply?
Following are the startup eligibility criteria:
- Registered as a Private Limited Company in India
- DPIIT Registration is mandatory
- Operating in ClimateTech, CleanTech, Sustainability, HealthTech, MedTech, or Digital Health.
- Validated product with demonstrated market traction.
- Pre/Revenue-generating or completed successful commercial pilots.
- Deployment-ready solution with measurable social and/or environmental impact.
- At least one full-time founder.
- Willing to undergo due diligence and participate in the accelerator program.
- Incubation at BITS Pilani Incubator (PIEDS)
Focus Domains
Climate Tech (Carbon Removal & Carbon Reduction)
Startups developing innovative, scalable solutions that address climate change and contribute to measurable environmental outcomes.
Health Tech (AI/ML Diagnostics & Medical Devices)
Technology-driven healthcare solutions that can improve accessibility, affordability, accuracy, and healthcare outcomes.
What IGNITE Offers
- Grant Support: Access ₹20–25 Lakh in grant support to help accelerate your startup's growth and deployment.
- Mentorship: Work with experienced mentors and domain experts aligned with your startup's business and technology needs.
- Business Acceleration: Structured support to strengthen your business model, market strategy, operations, and scalability.
- Investor Readiness: Prepare your startup for fundraising, investor conversations, and long-term capital access.
- Network & Ecosystem: Build connections with investors, industry leaders, ecosystem partners, and relevant networks.
- Demo Day: Showcase your startup, progress, innovation, and impact to investors and ecosystem stakeholders.
- Post-Program Support: Continue to access alumni engagement, scale-up support, ecosystem connections, and impact tracking for up to 12 months after the active program.
Program Timelines:
| Phase | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Selection & Onboarding | Program Launch | Week 1–4 |
| Outreach & Call for Applications | Week 5–10 | |
| Jury Evaluation and Selection | Week 11–14 | |
| Onboarding – Due Diligence, Diagnostic Assessment, Mentor Matching, Signed Agreements | Week 15–18 | |
| Acceleration | Acceleration – Mentorship, Workshops, Milestone Tracking | Week 19–36 |
| Scale & Network – Investor Readiness, Demo Day, Network Connections | Week 37–42 | |
| Closure | Closure & Reporting | Week 43–48 |
| Post-Program | Post-Program Support – Alumni Engagement, Scale-Up Support, End-Line Impact Study | +12 Months |
