Government Scheme

iDEX Open Challenge

Open innovation grant up to ₹1.5 Crore for innovators with novel, unsolicited defence & dual-use technologies

Open Innovation Grant

Apply Now
Max Grant-in-Aid

Up to ₹1.5 Crore

50% grant (matching co-share)

Problem Statement

Open / Unsolicited

Innovator-proposed technology

Application Window

Year-Round / Rolling

Continuous evaluation rounds

Administered By

DIO (Ministry of Defence)

Innovations for Defence Excellence

About iDEX Open Challenge

The iDEX Open Challenge is a dynamic open-ended innovation track administered by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Unlike standard challenge tracks that prescribe predefined problem statements, the Open Challenge invites startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators to pitch novel, unsolicited technologies and breakthrough innovations that can transform the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) and Indian Coast Guard.

Selected companies receive a non-dilutive grant-in-aid of up to ₹1.5 Crores (covering up to 50% of the project cost in matching tranches) to prototype, test, and qualify their unique innovations.

The program provides an agile fast-track for serendipitous, high-impact innovations in robotics, cybersecurity, green propulsion, advanced materials, battlefield medical care, and tactical sensors.

Key Features & National Incentives

Innovator-Defined Technology

Propose your own novel technology or dual-use innovation directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Non-Dilutive Grant-in-Aid

Direct capital grant up to ₹1.5 Crores released across structured milestone achievements.

Continuous Rolling Evaluation

Year-round submission window with periodic quarterly evaluation cycles by military panels.

Tri-Services Triaging & Adoption

Specialized military evaluation panels route your innovation to the most suitable Armed Force branch.

Partner Incubator Support

Technical, IP, and commercial guidance through premier partner incubators like IIT Madras and IIT Delhi.

Procurement Under Make-II

Direct qualification for subsequent defense production orders upon successful military field trials.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

Eligibility Rule 1

DPIIT-recognized Startups, MSMEs, individual innovators, or Indian private technology companies.

Eligibility Rule 2

At least 51% of equity shareholding must be owned and controlled by Indian resident citizens.

Eligibility Rule 3

The proposal must offer a novel, indigenous solution with clear military or dual-use application.

Eligibility Rule 4

Must be willing to contribute matching co-funding (50% of total project expenditure).

Eligibility Rule 5

Must have reached at least the proof-of-concept or laboratory prototype stage (TRL 3+).

Eligibility Rule 6

Applicants must clear standard national security background verification.

Key Benefits & Value Proposition

Benefit 1

Direct pathway to present breakthrough inventions directly to top Armed Forces leadership.

Benefit 2

Up to ₹1.5 Crores in non-dilutive funding to convert unique ideas into military-grade hardware/software.

Benefit 3

Retain 100% intellectual property rights for commercial, domestic, and international exploitation.

Benefit 4

Free access to specialized military test beds, firing ranges, and environmental simulation labs.

Benefit 5

Pre-approved eligibility for follow-on iDEX Prime scale-up grants (up to ₹10 Crores).

Benefit 6

Prestigious national recognition during DefExpo and Aero India exhibitions.

Required Documents Checklist

Certificate of Incorporation / Registration & Indian Shareholding Pattern (CA Certified).

DPIIT Recognition Certificate / Udyam MSME Certificate.

Detailed Open Challenge Proposal (Novelty analysis, military use-case, architecture, and roadmap).

Demonstration Video / Lab Trial Data / Simulation Whitepaper.

Itemized Budget Breakdown & Matching Co-Funding Declaration.

Promoters' KYC Documents (Aadhaar & PAN).

Company Bank Account Details & Cancelled Cheque.

Growth Ledger

Growth with Technocrat

Five stages, one record of every startup we've moved forward

01
Registration
02
Certification
03
Funding
04
Marketing
05
Compliances

Served

0+

Startups nationwide

Save up to 100%

on eligible startup taxes

Satisfaction score

0%

rated by founders we've worked with

Client outcomes

0%

of Technocrat clients reach the interview stage with investors

Certified

0+

Startups registered

Startup India

Certificate

7days, on average

Total disbursed

₹0+ Cr

disbursed to

0+

businesses, and counting

0+

Businesses granted a 3-year tax holiday

Funding
Guide 2025

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Start by understanding your business idea, target customers, market demand, competition, investment requirements, and business model. Technocrat Oasis can help you create a practical roadmap for starting your business.

The right structure depends on your business type, ownership, investment, liability, compliance needs, and future plans. Common options include proprietorship, partnership, LLP, and private limited company.

You should evaluate market demand, customers, competitors, pricing, startup costs, legal requirements, funding needs, and your expected business model before investing significantly.

A business idea should be tested against customer demand, market size, competition, pricing, costs, and potential profitability. A structured business feasibility assessment can help identify opportunities and risks.

A business consultant helps identify business problems and opportunities and provides practical recommendations related to strategy, growth, operations, marketing, sales, funding, technology, and other business areas.

You may benefit from consultancy when starting a business, entering a new market, facing growth problems, looking for funding, improving sales, reducing operational inefficiencies, or planning digital transformation.

Our consulting areas include business planning, startup support, MSME growth, funding guidance, registrations, sales and marketing, technology adoption, AI automation, business development, and strategic growth.

Growth can come from better customer acquisition, stronger sales processes, improved marketing, new products, partnerships, operational efficiency, technology, and automation. The right approach depends on the business.

Requirements vary by business type and industry. Depending on the business, registrations may include business registration, Udyam/MSME, GST, FSSAI, trademark, licences, and other applicable registrations.

Udyam/MSME registration can provide access to certain benefits, schemes, and opportunities available to eligible enterprises. Businesses should check the current rules and eligibility applicable to them.

Company registration establishes a particular legal business structure, while Udyam registration provides MSME recognition to eligible enterprises. They serve different purposes and are not substitutes for each other.

Documents depend on the type of registration. They may include identity and address documents, business details, photographs, contact information, ownership information, and other documents required by the relevant authority.

Eligible startups can apply for DPIIT recognition through the applicable Startup India process. Eligibility, documents, and benefits should be checked according to the latest official requirements.

India has various schemes related to credit, entrepreneurship, MSMEs, startups, technology, employment, and business development. The appropriate scheme depends on your business type, location, sector, and eligibility.

Funding options may include business loans, working capital facilities, government-backed schemes, bootstrapping, angel investment, venture capital, strategic investment, or other financing methods. The suitable option depends on your business stage and requirements.

A clear business plan, proper financial records, suitable documentation, healthy credit history, realistic funding requirements, and the ability to demonstrate repayment capacity can strengthen a loan application.

No. Loan approval depends on the lender's assessment, eligibility criteria, credit profile, financial position, documentation, business performance, and other factors. No consultant can legitimately guarantee approval.

MUDRA is a government-supported framework for financing eligible micro enterprises through participating lending institutions. Eligibility, loan categories, limits, and terms depend on the applicable rules and lender.

CGTMSE facilitates credit guarantee support for eligible loans through participating member lending institutions. It is intended to improve access to credit for eligible micro and small enterprises.

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Start by defining your ideal customer, building a targeted prospect list, creating a strong value proposition, and using suitable channels such as referrals, LinkedIn, email, networking, partnerships, content, and direct outreach.

Possible reasons include poor lead quality, slow follow-up, unclear pricing, weak sales communication, lack of trust, poor qualification, or an ineffective sales process. Reviewing the complete sales funnel can identify the problem.

A combination of targeted outreach, referrals, search, content marketing, LinkedIn, partnerships, networking, industry databases, and automation can create a stronger B2B lead-generation system.

Define each stage of your sales funnel, qualify prospects properly, establish follow-up processes, track leads in a CRM, measure conversion rates, and continuously improve the stages where prospects are dropping off.

Yes, when it is connected to a clear business objective. SEO, content, social media, paid advertising, email, local search, and other channels can help businesses reach relevant customers.

Businesses can explore SEO, referrals, partnerships, B2B outreach, content marketing, networking, existing-customer upselling, organic social media, and other low-cost acquisition methods.

AI can support areas such as customer service, content creation, research, lead qualification, sales follow-ups, reporting, data analysis, internal knowledge management, and repetitive administrative tasks.

Repetitive and rule-based activities are often good candidates for automation. Examples include lead capture, notifications, CRM updates, follow-ups, reporting, data collection, document processing, and customer communication.

AI automation can handle repetitive tasks, connect different business tools, process information, trigger actions, and assist employees with routine work. This can save time and allow teams to focus on higher-value activities.

Yes. MSMEs can use automation to improve productivity without necessarily building large technology teams. The best automation opportunities depend on the company's existing processes and tools.

An AI agent is a software system that can use AI to understand information, make decisions within defined rules, and perform tasks using connected tools. Businesses can use agents for areas such as support, research, sales assistance, and workflow management.

Not always. Many businesses can begin with the tools they already use and connect them through suitable automation platforms, APIs, CRM systems, and AI services.

Technology can improve customer management, marketing, billing, inventory, communication, reporting, lead generation, operations, and internal workflows. Digital transformation should focus on practical business outcomes rather than technology alone.

Yes. Existing businesses can use consultancy to identify growth opportunities, operational problems, sales bottlenecks, technology gaps, new revenue opportunities, and areas where processes can be improved.

That is common. A business assessment can help identify the main challenges by looking at areas such as customers, sales, marketing, operations, finances, technology, and strategy.

It generally begins with understanding your business, goals, challenges, current processes, and available resources. Based on this assessment, suitable recommendations and an action plan can be developed.

Yes. Business challenges differ by industry, size, location, stage, customers, and resources. Recommendations should therefore be based on the specific situation rather than using the same solution for every business.

Our initial business consultancy is completely free. You can discuss your business idea, challenges, growth plans, funding requirements, or technology needs with us without any consultation fee. If any separate paid service is required, we will clearly explain it to you beforehand.

Useful information includes your business overview, current challenges, goals, products or services, target customers, existing sales and marketing activities, financial information where relevant, and any specific questions you want to discuss.

Share your business requirement, challenge, or goal with us. We can understand your situation and help identify the appropriate consulting, technology, funding, marketing, or business-growth support for your needs.
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