SprinT – VCF-ST Incubation Programme

SprinT is a T-Hub Foundation initiative delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It identifies and incubates Scheduled Tribe-led enterprises and prepares selected ventures for investment and funding consideration under the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes. The programme runs from October 2026 to July 2027. Applying or participating does not guarantee funding. The exact funding instrument, equity terms and disbursement structure are not disclosed on the programme page.

• Founder or founders must belong to a Scheduled Tribe community and provide valid documentary proof.
• At least 51% of the business must be owned by Scheduled Tribe founders with management control, or the applicants must make a firm commitment to achieve this structure.
• The venture must be based in or actively serve Telangana or Andhra Pradesh.
• Eligible maturity levels include idea, prototype, early-revenue and revenue-stage ventures.

• Top 100 ventures receive entrepreneurship orientation, business assessment, workshops, problem validation and pitch-development support.
• Top 50 receive structured workshops, one-to-one mentoring, peer learning, branding and market-positioning support, and assistance developing an MVP or refined offering with a basic revenue model.
• Top 20 receive acceleration, investor interactions, company incorporation or restructuring support, compliance assistance covering GST, DPIIT and UPI, market access, pilot-sales support and links to VCF-ST, PM-JGF, Startup India, SIDBI and state schemes.
• Each Top 20 startup may receive up to INR 30 lakh in incubation funding under VCF-ST. Funding remains subject to satisfactory progress and approval under applicable Ministry of Tribal Affairs and IFCI Venture guidelines.

• Stage 1, October–December 2026: Applications are screened to select the Top 100.
• Stage 2, January 2027: The Top 100 complete orientation, baseline assessment and pitch preparation. A jury evaluates participants and selects the Top 50.
• Stage 3, February–April 2027: The Top 50 undertake workshops and mentoring, followed by a Demo Day that selects the Top 20.
• Stage 4, May–July 2027: The Top 20 receive acceleration and funding-readiness support and may be considered for up to INR 30 lakh under VCF-ST.