Introduction

India’s health-tech and biotech ecosystem is booming — from AI-driven diagnostics to affordable medical devices, startups are redefining how healthcare is delivered. But scaling such innovations requires more than just ideas; it takes infrastructure, regulatory support, funding, and access to experts.

That’s where the Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation – Technology Business Incubator (MSMF-TBI) comes in. Established under the visionary leadership of Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the incubator operates at the intersection of healthcare, biotechnology, and entrepreneurship, helping startups turn scientific breakthroughs into viable businesses.

If you’re an early-stage founder working on a healthcare, med-tech, or biotech innovation, this article walks you through how to apply for the Seed Fund Incubator at MSMF-TBI, its eligibility criteria, funding details, benefits, and expert tips to strengthen your application.

About Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation – TBI

The Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation (MSMF) was established to promote medical innovation, translational research, and entrepreneurship in India. Its Technology Business Incubator (MSMF-TBI) is located within the Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, providing startups access to hospitals, clinicians, and cutting-edge biomedical infrastructure.

Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), MSMF-TBI focuses on enabling early-stage innovations that can make healthcare affordable, accessible, and technology-driven.

Key highlights:

• One of India’s leading health-tech incubators recognized by Startup India.

• Provides seed funding, lab space, and clinical validation support.

• Close collaboration with Narayana Health’s hospital network for real-world testing.

• Mentorship from doctors, biomedical engineers, regulatory experts, and investors.

Focus Areas

MSMF-TBI supports startups working across the healthcare and life-sciences spectrum, including:

• Medical devices and diagnostics (hardware, software, sensors, wearables)

• Biotech and life sciences (therapeutics, genomics, drug delivery systems)

• Digital health (AI in healthcare, telemedicine, EMR platforms)

• Assistive technology (prosthetics, rehabilitation tools)

• Healthcare accessibility innovations (low-cost point-of-care devices, rural health solutions)

Why Choose MSMF-TBI?

Founders benefit from a comprehensive ecosystem designed to support both research and entrepreneurship:

1. Clinical Access & Validation – Access to Narayana Health hospitals for trials, clinician feedback, and user validation.

2. State-of-the-art Labs & Infrastructure – Biosafety labs, wet labs, device testing and prototyping facilities.

3. Seed Funding Support – Grants under SISFS to develop prototypes, conduct trials, or scale production.

4. Regulatory & IP Guidance – Legal and IP experts help with patents, certifications (CDSCO/ISO), and regulatory filings.

5. Mentorship & Networking – Expert mentors from Biocon, Narayana Health, academia, and venture funds.

6. Investor Access – Opportunity to pitch at demo days and connect with angel and VC networks.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Seed Fund Incubator at MSMF-TBI, your startup must:

• Be a DPIIT-recognized startup (or in the process of applying).

• Be an Indian-registered entity (Private Limited, LLP, or similar).

• Be working in health-tech, biotech, or med-tech innovation.

• Have a prototype or proof of concept ready for testing or validation.

• Be in the pre-revenue or early-revenue stage.

• The founder(s) must hold a majority share in the company.

• Must not have received more than ₹10 lakh of financial support under any other central/state seed fund scheme.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Visit the MSMF-TBI Website

Go to https://msmf.in and navigate to the Incubation / Seed Fund section. Review the eligibility, documentation requirements, and program details.

Step 2: Register Your Startup

Create an account and fill in basic information such as startup name, founders’ profiles, problem statement, and current stage.

Step 3: Upload the Required Documents

Prepare the following:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• DPIIT Recognition Certificate

• Pitch Deck (Problem, Solution, Market, Revenue Model, Team, Financials)

• Prototype details or working demo evidence

• Utilization plan for the seed fund (R&D, prototyping, trials, IP, etc.)

Step 4: Screening and Evaluation

Applications are reviewed by MSMF-TBI’s selection committee, comprising domain experts, clinicians, and investors. They assess innovation, impact potential, feasibility, and scalability.

Step 5: Pitch Round

Shortlisted startups are invited to present their idea to the evaluation panel. You’ll be asked to highlight the problem you’re solving, uniqueness, market potential, and how funding will be used.

Step 6: Selection & Onboarding

Selected startups are onboarded into the incubation program. MSMF-TBI assigns mentors, provides access to lab facilities, and releases the seed grant in tranches based on milestone completion.

Funding Details

Under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), startups incubated at MSMF-TBI can receive:

• Up to ₹20 lakh for prototype development or product trials.

• Up to ₹50 lakh for market entry, commercial scaling, or regulatory compliance.

• Non-financial support: mentorship, legal and IP support, lab access, and clinical validation facilities.

The actual amount and structure depend on your startup’s readiness and milestones defined by the incubation team.

Key Tips for a Strong Application

1. Show the Impact – Demonstrate how your solution improves accessibility, affordability, or quality of healthcare.

2. Prototype Evidence – Include test data, user feedback, or early clinical validation, if available.

3. Regulatory Awareness – Mention applicable standards (CDSCO, CE, ISO, FDA) and your roadmap for compliance.

4. Strong Founding Team – Highlight clinical, technical, or entrepreneurial experience relevant to your domain.

5. Clear Fund Utilization Plan – Specify milestones (e.g., clinical trial, prototype iteration, certification).

6. Scalability and Market Insight – Show a real pathway to adoption in India and potentially global markets.

Benefits of Joining MSMF-TBI

Once onboarded, startups enjoy multiple advantages:

• Access to Narayana Health’s clinical network for real-world validation.

• Shared lab facilities for biotech, molecular biology, and device prototyping.

• One-on-one mentoring with experts from Biocon and Narayana Health.

• Business development and investor-readiness programs.

• Visibility in health-tech and life-sciences investor networks.

• Support in regulatory filings and patent applications.

Impact and Notable Startups

MSMF-TBI has supported numerous innovations addressing India’s critical healthcare challenges:

• Dozee – A contactless health-monitoring system that originated under MSMF mentorship.

• Sascan Meditech – Affordable oral cancer screening device developed and validated through the TBI ecosystem.

• Axio Biosolutions – Innovators in wound-care biomaterials that benefited from early biotech mentorship.

These examples reflect the kind of scalable, impactful startups MSMF-TBI nurtures.

Conclusion

The Mazumdar Shaw Medical Foundation – TBI provides a one-of-a-kind platform for health-tech founders to validate, refine, and scale their innovations. From lab access to clinical validation, regulatory support to funding, the incubator bridges the gap between science and business.

If you’re building a med-tech, biotech, or health-innovation startup, applying to the Seed Fund Incubator at MSMF-TBI could be your gateway to transforming a scientific idea into a market-ready product with global potential.

Visit https://msmf.in to learn more and begin your application today.