EDII-TN Innovation Voucher Program — AIC RAISE Hardware Cohort

The Innovation Voucher Program (IVP) is a Tamil Nadu state scheme administered by the Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute (EDII-TN). AIC RAISE serves as the knowledge partner for this hardware-focused cohort, handling applications, mentorship, and post-grant support for ventures developing physical products.

Two voucher tracks are available under the programme. Voucher A offers ₹3 lakh to support founders in building and validating a prototype from an early hardware concept. Voucher B provides ₹7 lakh to advance a working product towards commercial deployment. Both are non-dilutive grants; AIC RAISE does not take equity.

In addition to funding, AIC RAISE offers expert mentoring, technical guidance, pitch deck development, and strategic pitching support. Selected ventures gain access to market pilots and industry connections through AIC RAISE's network—particularly valuable for hardware founders seeking partner factories, component suppliers, or initial commercial customers to validate their build.

The cohort is open to Tamil Nadu-registered manufacturing MSMEs or startups working on hardware solutions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the AIC RAISE accubate portal.

- Complete and submit the AIC RAISE accubate application form for the EDII IVP cohort. - Provide company details, a product description, the current stage of the venture, and the voucher track for which you are applying. - Shortlisted ventures undergo evaluation by AIC RAISE and the voucher approval process by EDII-TN. - Selected ventures are onboarded for mentoring, pitch development, and market pilot support, with grant disbursement occurring alongside.

Applications are submitted via the AIC RAISE accubate platform, where startups provide their details, product description, current stage, and chosen voucher track. AIC RAISE evaluates each application, and EDII-TN handles the approval of vouchers. Ventures that are selected then proceed to onboarding, which includes mentoring, pitch support, and access to market pilots, with grant disbursement occurring alongside these activities.