Pitch 2Konnect – KonguTBI × KVB CSR Grant Programme

About

A prototype-to-market grant for early-stage technology startups in South India, especially Tamil Nadu, that provides up to ₹20 lakh in milestone-based funding and a 12-month resident incubation programme.

Benefits

• 💰Pre-seed grant
  Up to ₹20 lakh per selected startup, subject to the startup's stage, funding requirements, proposed milestones and final Investment Committee assessment, and released in milestone-based instalments
• 🏢12-month incubation
  Selected startups gain access to KonguTBI's innovation ecosystem and resident incubation for the full 12-month project duration
• 🧭Structured mentorship
  Mentoring from domain experts covering technology, business, finance and market
• 🔬Technical infrastructure
  Access to KonguTBI's specialised technical infrastructure and lab facilities
• 🤝Networks and market access
  Corporate networks, industry connections and strategic market access
• 📈Investor access
  Exclusive Demo Days, corporate networking events and investor pitches
• ✅Certification and manufacturing support
  Support for certifications, regulatory compliance and manufacturing readiness
• 🌱Growth support
  Bridge early-stage funding gaps and strengthen customer adoption, revenue growth and follow-on investment readiness.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: applicant must be an early-stage technology startup based in South India
• Preferred: Tamil Nadu-registered startups are particularly targeted
• Mandatory: legal entity must be a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Registered Partnership Firm incorporated in India within the last 5 years from the application date
• Mandatory: valid DPIIT Recognition Certificate
• Mandatory: at least 51% Indian equity ownership or shareholding
• Mandatory: no other grant for the same project objective, scope, or milestone, and total prior grant support must not exceed ₹25 lakh
• Mandatory: TRL ≥ 5, MRL ≥ 5, and IRL ≥ 5, with a clear commercialisation roadmap, defined problem statement, and identified target customer segment
• Mandatory: venture stage must be prototype/unpaid pilot, pre-revenue/paid pilot, or early revenue of ₹25 lakh or less
• Preferred: ventures that have progressed beyond prototype or MVP with validated customer engagement.

Participation Commitments

• Submit the application through the official 2Konnect portal before the stated deadline
• Shortlisted startups are selected by the Selection Committee for a Final Pitch, and the Investment Committee selects grantees
• Selected startups must become resident incubatees of KonguTBI before the first grant instalment is released
• Selected startups must remain active resident incubatees throughout the full 12-month project duration and must not withdraw before project completion
• Selected startups must comply with all incubation terms and conditions, programme protocols and monitoring requirements of TBI@KEC
• Formal admission and legal agreements must be executed between KonguTBI and the grantee before funds are disbursed
• Selected startups must maintain a dedicated bank account exclusively for the grant project
• Selected startups must submit a Utilisation Certificate and detailed Expenditure Statement certified by an independent practising Chartered Accountant at each milestone instalment stage
• The project duration is 12 months, with milestone-based progress reviews by the committee.

Target Region

Applicant startups must be based in South India; Tamil Nadu-registered startups are particularly targeted. The entity must be incorporated in India within the last 5 years.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Energy & Utilities, Other