Introduction

In India’s fast-growing startup ecosystem, business incubators have become the backbone of early-stage innovation. Among the country’s top-tier incubation centers, DLabs Incubator Association at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, stands out for its global outlook, strong academic foundation, and structured support for entrepreneurs.

DLabs empowers startups to transform ideas into sustainable businesses through strategic mentorship, access to funding, and powerful industry networks. As a Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)-recognized incubator, it provides financial assistance to budding entrepreneurs, helping them develop prototypes, validate markets, and launch products successfully.

This comprehensive guide walks you through how to apply for the Seed Fund Incubator at DLabs ISB Hyderabad, along with eligibility requirements, benefits, and key insights into what makes DLabs a preferred choice for entrepreneurs.

1. About DLabs Incubator Association (ISB Hyderabad)

DLabs Incubator Association is the incubation and acceleration arm of the Indian School of Business (ISB), one of Asia’s leading business schools. Established under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), DLabs operates as a non-profit incubator supporting technology-driven and impact-focused startups.

The mission of DLabs is clear — to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through research-driven mentoring, funding, and networking opportunities.

DLabs collaborates with corporations, government agencies, and investors to help startups achieve product-market fit and commercial scalability. It has supported over 200 startups and facilitated investments worth crores in early-stage ventures.

Its strategic location within ISB ensures access to world-class faculty, business leaders, and policy experts, giving startups a unique advantage.

2. Understanding the Seed Fund Program

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) at DLabs provides early-stage funding support to innovative startups to help them with proof-of-concept development, prototype creation, and commercialization.

The Seed Fund program is divided into two components:

• 💡 Grant Support (Up to ₹20 Lakhs): For prototype development, testing, and initial validation.

• 🚀 Seed Investment (Up to ₹50 Lakhs): Offered as debt, convertible debenture, or equity for startups ready for market entry or commercialization.

The fund is designed to fill the critical “funding gap” between idea validation and venture capital readiness, ensuring promising founders get the initial push needed to succeed.

3. Eligibility Criteria

Startups applying for seed funding through DLabs must meet the eligibility criteria defined by the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and ISB’s internal selection guidelines.

The criteria include:

1. ✅ DPIIT Recognition:
   The startup must be recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

2. ✅ Company Incorporation:
   Must be registered as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Registered Partnership Firm in India.

3. ✅ Startup Age:
   The entity must be less than 10 years old from the date of incorporation.

4. ✅ Annual Turnover:
   Should not have exceeded ₹100 crores in any previous financial year.

5. ✅ Innovation & Scalability:
   Must be working on a novel product, process, or service that demonstrates clear differentiation and market potential.

6. ✅ Indian Ownership:
   At least 51% of the shareholding should be held by Indian promoters at the time of application.

7. ✅ Stage of Development:
   The startup should ideally be at prototype or early-revenue stage, not yet raised substantial institutional funding.

4. Application Process

Applying to the DLabs Seed Fund Program involves several key steps to ensure only the most promising startups are selected for support.

Step 1: Register on Startup India Portal

Create an account on www.startupindia.gov.in and obtain your DPIIT recognition certificate.

Step 2: Choose DLabs ISB as Your Incubator

When applying under the SISFS, select “DLabs Incubator Association – ISB Hyderabad” as your preferred incubator.

Step 3: Prepare Documents

Startups need to prepare:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• DPIIT Recognition Certificate

• Pitch Deck

• Financial Statements (if available)

• Business Plan

• Founder Profiles

• Market Research and Fund Utilization Plan

Step 4: Submit Application

Log in to the Startup India Seed Fund Portal or visit dlabs.isb.edu to submit your complete application online.

Step 5: Screening and Shortlisting

The DLabs team reviews all applications to shortlist startups that align with their focus sectors and demonstrate innovation potential.

Step 6: Pitch Presentation

Shortlisted applicants are invited to pitch before an expert panel, including ISB faculty, investors, and industry mentors.

Step 7: Evaluation and Selection

The evaluation is based on parameters such as innovation, market size, team capability, and scalability.

Step 8: Fund Disbursement

Once approved, the funding is released in milestones tied to startup progress and deliverables.

5. Benefits of Joining DLabs ISB Hyderabad

Startups incubated under DLabs gain access to a comprehensive ecosystem designed to promote growth and innovation.

Here are the top benefits:

1. 💰 Seed Funding:
   Financial assistance up to ₹50 lakhs to support prototype development and commercialization.

2. 🧠 Mentorship from ISB Faculty:
   One-on-one mentoring from ISB professors, industry experts, and startup founders.

3. 🌍 Networking Opportunities:
   Access to a network of investors, corporate partners, and government agencies.

4. 📚 Business Support Services:
   Legal, accounting, marketing, and IP advisory services to strengthen business foundations.

5. 🧩 Workshops and Bootcamps:
   Focused sessions on fundraising, scaling, and product-market fit.

6. 🚀 Access to Global Ecosystem:
   ISB’s global partnerships provide exposure to international accelerators and investors.

7. 🏢 Co-working Infrastructure:
   State-of-the-art workspaces and innovation labs located at ISB’s Hyderabad campus.

6. Focus Sectors at DLabs

DLabs supports startups in multiple domains, with special focus on:

• Fintech

• EdTech

• AgriTech

• CleanTech

• HealthTech

• DeepTech

• Social Impact and Sustainability

This diverse portfolio ensures that both profit-driven and purpose-driven ventures find the right support structure.

7. Success Stories

DLabs ISB has played a pivotal role in supporting some of India’s most impactful startups:

• EduFund: A financial planning platform helping Indian parents plan higher education investments.

• Recykal: A digital platform enabling circular economy through waste management tech — now a leading CleanTech venture.

• Kheyti: A social enterprise offering affordable greenhouses to small farmers, featured in global innovation platforms.

• Quest Global & Uclean: Startups mentored and scaled through DLabs’ ecosystem.

These success stories demonstrate DLabs’ commitment to combining innovation with sustainable business outcomes.

8. Contact Information

📍 DLabs Incubator Association (ISB Hyderabad)
Indian School of Business, Gachibowli, Hyderabad – 500111, Telangana

📧 Email: dlabs@isb.edu
🌐 Website: https://dlabs.isb.edu
📞 Phone: +91-40-2318-7320

9. Conclusion

The DLabs Incubator Association at ISB Hyderabad represents the perfect blend of academic excellence and entrepreneurial dynamism. With its strong focus on innovation, mentorship, and funding, DLabs provides early-stage startups the resources they need to build scalable, impactful ventures.

Whether you’re developing a disruptive technology, a sustainable business model, or an innovative social enterprise, DLabs can help you navigate from idea to impact.

By applying for the Seed Fund under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, entrepreneurs not only receive financial backing but also become part of ISB’s rich ecosystem — one that thrives on collaboration, learning, and leadership.