National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations - PRAYAS

NIDHI-PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurs) is a pre-incubation initiative launched by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The scheme is specifically designed to support young innovators by bridging the gap between a proof of concept and a prototype. It provides financial assistance to hardware-based start-ups and individual innovators to develop their ideas into market-ready products. The program is implemented through various PRAYAS Centres across India, which offer technical guidance, fabrication facilities, and mentorship. By reducing the financial risk associated with early-stage prototyping, the scheme encourages technology-driven entrepreneurship and helps innovators refine their hardware solutions before seeking large-scale investment or commercialization. It focuses on addressing local needs through technical physical products.