Eligibility
Do I have to be an MIT India student to apply?
No. Edugild is MIT India's initiative, but it is open to every student in India. You can be from any college, university or school. Your institution does not decide whether you're eligible — your idea does.
Can I apply if I don't have a team?
Yes. Solo founders are welcome. We've backed plenty of one-person teams and have helped them recruit co-founders during the sprint when needed.
I've already graduated. Am I still eligible?
If you graduated within the last 12 months, yes. We also occasionally make exceptions for alumni building something born out of their student years — reach out.
Do I need a prototype to apply?
No. We fund at the idea stage. We care about the clarity of the problem you're solving and why you are the right person to solve it — not about how polished your demo is.
What if I'm still in school?
We do accept outstanding high-school and VGS School applicants on a case-by-case basis, especially in partnership with a parent or teacher. Email us first.
Funding & equity
How much funding does Edugild provide?
First cheques typically range from ₹[min] to ₹[max]. Follow-on funding is available through the Edugild investor network once teams have a working pilot. confirm cheque sizes
Does Edugild take equity?
Earliest-stage grants are non-dilutive. Larger micro-investments may be structured as a small equity stake or a convertible note — capped at a founder-friendly level. Terms are shared in writing before any commitment. confirm terms
Is there any cost to apply or participate?
No. There is no application fee, no program fee and no hidden cost to be part of Edugild.
Program & mentorship
How long is the program?
The active sprint is 12 weeks. Post-program, most teams continue in our alumni network for at least 12 months, with ongoing mentor access and warm intros.
Is the program in-person or remote?
Hybrid. Some activities happen at MIT India campuses (workspace, labs, demo day). Most mentor sessions and sprints run remotely so students from anywhere in India can participate.
Who are the mentors?
A mix of founders, senior operators, investors and faculty from MIT India and beyond. See the full list on our
Mentors page.
Will I have to drop out of college?
No. The program is designed to be compatible with ongoing studies, with most work happening on evenings and weekends during the sprint. A few teams do take a gap year — that is a personal decision, not a requirement.
Application process
How long does the application take?
Around 15 minutes. If you have a deck or a short video, even better.
When will I hear back?
Within 10 working days. We reply to every applicant — yes, no, or come-back-later.
Can I reapply if I'm rejected?
Yes, and we encourage it. Many of our best teams got in on their second or third application after sharpening their idea.
Do you have intake windows, or can I apply any time?
Applications are rolling. We run cohorts multiple times a year — the earlier you apply, the sooner you can start.
Mentors & partners
I'd like to become a mentor. How?
I'd like to partner with Edugild as a company or investor. How?
Reach out via the
contact page with "Partnership" in the subject. We respond within 5 working days.