Session on “Exploring Funding Opportunities at IIT Mandi Catalyst”

Event Date: 10th January 2026

Event brief description

Under the progressive leadership of Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, Galgotias University organized an interactive session titled “Exploring Funding Opportunities at IIT Mandi Catalyst” at GICRISE. The session featured delegates from IIT Mandi Catalyst, who shared practical insights on startup incubation, early-stage funding, business and technology readiness, and intellectual property protection. Students and incubated startups actively engaged in discussions around deep-tech innovation, funding realities, and ecosystem support, gaining clarity on how structured mentorship and timely resources can accelerate startup growth and readiness.

Guided by the visionary leadership of Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, Hon’ble CEO of Galgotias University, the institution continues to build a world-class innovation and startup ecosystem that empowers students and early-stage entrepreneurs to translate ideas into impactful ventures. His vision emphasizes industry–academia collaboration, access to national innovation platforms, and nurturing a culture where research, innovation, and entrepreneurship seamlessly converge. In alignment with this vision, GICRISE consistently facilitates meaningful engagements with leading institutions to strengthen startup readiness and innovation capacity among its community.

In this spirit, Galgotias University successfully organized an insightful interactive session with delegates from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, focused on strengthening entrepreneurial awareness and startup preparedness among students and incubated startups. The session featured representatives from IIT Mandi Catalyst, who shared valuable perspectives on startup incubation, funding realities, intellectual property protection, and support for deep-technology innovations.

The event commenced with enthusiastic participation from students of Galgotias University and startups incubated under the Galgotias Incubation Centre for Research, Innovation, Startups and Entrepreneurs (GICRISE). The visiting delegates were warmly received by the GICRISE team, setting a collaborative and engaging tone for the session.

During the opening interactions, the guests appreciated the robust academic infrastructure, vibrant innovation culture, and startup-friendly environment at Galgotias University. They introduced the vision and role of IIT Mandi Catalyst Centre, positioning it as a leading incubation and innovation hub in India. The delegates shared that the centre has supported over 605 incubated startups across diverse domains and emphasized that early-stage startups do not necessarily require large funding to succeed. Instead, they highlighted the significance of timely and targeted financial support during the initial phases of venture development.

The speakers elaborated on the four core focus areas through which IIT Mandi Catalyst supports startups: funding facilitation, technical mentorship, business mentorship, and ecosystem access. While early grants are often modest in scale, they play a critical role in idea validation and in preparing startups for subsequent funding rounds. The delegates also noted that the centre onboards approximately 30–32 startups annually through structured brand challenges and multiple innovation platforms.

A key takeaway from the session was the discussion on the Business Readiness Level (BRL), a framework originally developed by NASA. The delegates clarified that BRL alone is insufficient for comprehensive startup evaluation and must be complemented by Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), execution capability, and market validation. They also shed light on current funding realities, noting that funding agencies increasingly seek matching grants and clearly defined, measurable deliverables before extending financial support.

Significant emphasis was placed on the importance of intellectual property (IP) protection. The delegates observed that many startups overlook early patent filing, which can restrict long-term scalability and competitiveness. At IIT Mandi Catalyst Centre, patent-related expenses are fully supported under formal MoUs, enabling startups to safeguard their innovations without financial constraints. They explained that patent filing costs, typically ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh, are effectively covered through their incubation framework.

The session also included announcements of upcoming collaborative initiatives. An Intellectual Property Workshop is scheduled from 26th to 28th March 2026 at Galgotias University, to be conducted in collaboration with IIT Mandi Catalyst Centre. The workshop will host 50 high-potential, patent-oriented startups, providing a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and innovation exposure. Additionally, a healthcare-focused innovation event is planned from 8th to 10th May at IIT Mandi, with a special emphasis on healthcare and med-tech startups and associated funding opportunities through brand challenges.

The interactive Q&A segment addressed a wide range of queries, including startup funding across Series A, B, and C stages; collaboration opportunities for Galgotias University students; access to laboratories and GPU infrastructure; timelines for deep-tech startups; and clinical research support for med-tech innovations. The delegates clarified that while not all startups are formally incubated, mentorship and ecosystem support are extended based on merit, faculty involvement, and innovation potential.

The session concluded on an inspiring note, leaving participants better informed and motivated about startup incubation pathways and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. The event marked a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between Galgotias University and IIT Mandi Catalyst Centre, reinforcing a shared commitment to nurturing impactful, sustainable, and technology-driven startups in line with the visionary leadership of Dr. Dhruv Galgotia.

Department Name – GICRISE

Event Outcome:

The session concluded as a highly enriching experience, equipping participants with a realistic understanding of startup funding mechanisms, incubation pathways, and innovation-led entrepreneurship. The insights shared by the IIT Mandi Catalyst delegates reinforced the importance of preparedness, IP protection, and execution capability alongside funding. The interaction strengthened institutional collaboration and opened new avenues for joint initiatives, workshops, and innovation challenges. Aligned with the strategic vision of Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, the event reaffirmed Galgotias University’s commitment to nurturing a robust startup ecosystem and empowering students and entrepreneurs to build scalable, sustainable, and impact-driven ventures.

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