Deadline Date: August 09, 2026
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is accepting applications from startups developing innovative ESDM products and next-generation technology solutions through its 8th Open Challenge Program.
The program focuses on Deep-Tech, Embedded Systems, Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), PCB Design and Manufacturing, Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Semiconductor Design, Low Power Analog and Digital Circuits, Low Power Hardware Design, Energy, Process Control Automation, Education, Agriculture, Healthcare, Disaster Management, Smart City Solutions, Agri-Tech, Wireless Sensor Networks, Wearables, Energy Monitoring, Energy Conservation, Domestic and Corporate Automation.
Electropreneur Park (EP), Bhubaneswar is an Electronics System Design Manufacturing (ESDM) Incubation Centre established by STPI with support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and the Government of Odisha. The centre provides advanced laboratories, plug-and-play infrastructure, and incubation facilities to accelerate innovation, support industry-oriented research and development, and assist startups in prototyping, product development, and commercialization.
The Open Challenge Program aims to identify, recognize, and support aspiring and early-stage technology entrepreneurs. Through the program, participants receive opportunities for strategic networking, seed funding, mentoring, training, marketing support, patent facilitation, and access to Centre of Excellence laboratories, tools, software, and incubation facilities.
The program offers a wide range of support, including ready-to-use workspaces, pre-incubation, incubation and virtual incubation services, advanced ESDM laboratories with testing and measurement equipment, PCB prototyping facilities, SMT lines, software tools, environmental test chambers, and an in-house component bank for product development. Selected startups may receive seed grant support of up to ₹5 lakh under the incubation program and additional investment support of up to ₹20 lakh under the INVE model. Participants also gain access to government funding schemes, reference design libraries, high-speed internet, venture capital funding, mentoring, more than 25 Centres of Excellence across India, legal and intellectual property support, industry collaborations, cross-border partnerships, product demonstrations, international events, and opportunities for joint research and development.
The program also provides incentives including 12 months of free MATLAB, Simulink, and over 90 add-on products with training support, along with an AWS Promotional Credit package worth up to $5,000 valid for up to two years.
The program is open to entities working towards innovation, development, or improvement of products, processes, or services, or those with scalable business models capable of generating employment or wealth. The entity must not have been formed by splitting or reconstructing an existing business. DPIIT-recognized startups under the Startup India programme are encouraged to apply. Individual academicians, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, partnership firms, and LLPs are also eligible to participate. Selected individual applicants must register as a private limited company within the stipulated period, preferably within three months.
For more information, visit Sayuj.
