The Program for Extending Financial Support for Prototyping, Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Development, Validation of Products & Solutions and Pilot Projects supports the validation and deployment of telecom technologies developed by Startups and MSMEs.

Overview

Telecom technologies developed by Startups and MSMEs require real-world validation, integration with live telecom networks and industry systems, and demonstrated deployment readiness before commercialization. Testing in a controlled or simulated environment alone is often insufficient to establish confidence among Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and industry adopters.

To bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization, and to promote indigenous technologies aligned with national priorities, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched this Program. It extends financial support for prototyping, proof-of-concept (PoC) development, validation of products and solutions, and pilot deployment—including solutions emanating from 5G Labs—for testing and deployment in live public and private telecom networks.

Objectives of the Program

The Program aims to achieve the following:

• Enable real-world validation of innovative telecom and ICT solutions developed by Startups and MSMEs.
• Facilitate integration of such solutions with live telecom networks and industry systems.
• Promote indigenous technologies aligned with national priorities, including 5G/6G, security, and rural connectivity.
• Bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization by supporting the pilot/validation stage of the technology development lifecycle.

Research Areas or Activities

The Program supports projects across a broad range of emerging and strategic technology domains. These include:

• Communications: 5G, 6G, Satellite Communications, Navigation, and related technologies.
• Advanced Technologies: Quantum Communication, Semiconductors & Electronics, Robotics (including drones, humanoid robots, and autonomous robotic systems), Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), Wearables, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Immersive Media.
• Digital & Information Services: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology (IT), Software, and Human–Computer Interaction (HCI).
• Sector-Specific Applications: Green Technologies (such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles), and technology-enabled services (including FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech, E-commerce, and similar sectors), provided the proposed use cases are explicitly integrated with telecom networks.

Funding and Benefits

Support provided through this Program is strictly limited to the pilot/validation stage (pre-commercial deployment) and does not extend to commercial-scale rollout.

Eligibility

The Program provides financial support to eligible Startups and MSMEs.

Application Process

Interested parties may review the following relevant documents:

• Prototype, PoC & Pilot Funding Guide
• Application Form
• FAQs

Applications can be submitted via the designated portal.