Applications are invited for the EVolutionS Program by DST to Support EV Startups. Apply by May 30.

About the Program

DST invites applications from innovative Electric Vehicle Startups with promising technologies validated at laboratory (TRL 3-4) and have higher potential in translating them into commercially viable products (TRL 6-8).

Financial support will be provided to the selected startups through incubators for product development, pilot demonstration, testing and validation, market-entry and commercialization. The program is implemented in collaboration with Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). 

The specific thematic areas for seeking indigenous solutions includes – Tropical EV Battery, Power Electronics and Machine Drives and EV Charging Infrastructure.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for a startup to apply for the EVolutionS Grant are as follows:

  • A startup, should be registered by DPIIT at the time of application. If not registered, funds will only be released after successful registration by DPIIT.
  • Shareholding by Indian promoters in the startup should be at least 51% at the time of application to TBI for the scheme, as per Companies Act,2013 and SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018
  • Only for ‘Indian Companies’ defined as ‘holding company registered in India’, and ‘IP resides in India’, and ‘majority owned in India’.
  • Shareholding by Indian promoters in the startup should be at least 51%, as per Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018.
  • Startup must have reached to the level of proof of concept/ technology validated in lab (TRL 3-4) to develop a product or a component with market fit, viable commercialization, and scope of scaling. The project leading to development of a device/prototype with TRL 6 and above, and having potential for commercialization will be preferred for financial support. Basic R&D proposal leading to only research publications may not be considered under this call. Besides for TRL level requirement, Project Leader (PIs) are advised to look into Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for implementation of the technology at Annexure II.
  • Startup with proposed objectives and deliverables should not have received funding support in grant mode not more than Rs. 20 lakhs in last 5 years from any other Government funding programs for startups.
  • EVolutionS support can be provided only once to any startup.
  • The startup should be using technology in its core product to solve the problem being targeted.
  • The Project leader (PI) can submit only one proposal against this call. Submission of more than one proposal from a PI would be liable to be disqualification of all the submitted proposal.

Financial Support

  1. This Program spanning 36 months will be fully funded by DST with funding support of Rs.50 lakhs (as Rs. 20 lakhs as grant-in-aid & remaining Rs. 30 lakhs with 2-3% equity/equity linked instruments i.e. Compulsory Convertible Debentures) to about 50 Startups through DST’s strong network of TBIs, towards R&D, product development, testing, validation, market-entry & commercialization. 
  • DST supported TBI after onboarding will be provided with 5% of the total start-up funding for EVolutionS, which is aligned with NIDHI Seed Support Program as the overhead charge for the selection process, monitoring and management of the start-ups. TBI will be responsible to manage the start-up funding (grant & equity/equity linked instruments i.e. Compulsory Convertible Debentures) and monitoring of the progress.  Additionally, TBIs may be granted Rs.10 lakhs/year towards capacity building, organising thematic workshops/ seminars, networking with stakeholders, preparation of knowledge series documents, forging international collaborations etc. as directed by program division of DST.
  • The project is implemented in a milestone-based manner and the fund should be released on successful completion of milestones as decided by the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) constituted by DST.  Last instalment is released after submission of project completion report. This is typically in the nature of reimbursement.
  • All the funds to be disbursed through TSA hybrid mode.

Duration

The funding is provided for a period of up to 36 months.

Deadline

Last date to apply for this program is May 30 2025.

How to Apply

The Project Proposal could be submitted as per the following instructions:

  • Step 1 – Applicant is requested to submit online application form (through E-PMS Portal of DST at and download the same.
  • Step 2– Further, the applicant is requested to fill the application form (.docx) provided below along with the Program Guidelines and convert the same into .pdf document.
  • Step 3– A soft copy in pdf format (by merging filled-in online application from E-PMS portal of DST and also filled-in application format provided along with guidelines, with all enclosures/documents) to be emailed to sureshbabu.muttana@gov.in on or before 30TH May, 2025 (11:59 pm).
  • NO HARDCOPY of the project proposal should be submitted. 
  • Application received without the above documents with incomplete information will not be entertained.

Click here to view the official notification of EVolutionS Program by DST to Support EV Startups.