Technology Development Board, Government of India

What Technology Development Board, Government of India does

Technology Development Board (TDB) is a statutory body under India's Department of Science and Technology, established in 1996 to provide financial assistance for the development and commercialization of indigenous technologies. Headquartered in New Delhi with 11-50 staff, TDB functions as a concessional capital provider to Indian technology ventures, offering low-interest loans (2-5%), equity participation (up to 25% under the RDI Fund), and grants. Since inception, TDB has executed 444+ funding agreements committing ₹3,261.60 crore, leveraging ₹13,179.83 crore in co-investment and supporting 70,000+ jobs. Its sectors of focus span AI, quantum computing, robotics, biotechnology, semiconductors, critical minerals, hydrogen, EV infrastructure, drones, and space.

In November 2025, TDB was designated as a second-level fund manager for the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund Scheme, receiving an initial ₹2,000 crore allocation from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The RDI vehicle offers concessional loans, equity, and grants to deeptech startups without collateral requirements. By July 2026, TDB had committed the entire ₹2,000 crore to 22 deeptech startups, executing its first five agreements in May 2026. TDB also subsumed the Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA) in 2022 and maintains international MoUs with Finland, Spain, Israel, the UK, Sweden, Singapore, and Canada for joint funding and cross-border collaboration.

TDB's business model is non-commercial: it deploys sovereign capital rather than generating product revenue. Income is derived from interest on concessional loans, equity returns, royalties, and government grants. The organization conducts sector-specific Calls for Proposals, screens applicants through expert committees, and operates as a catalytic co-investor alongside private VCs, corporates, and foreign partners. Its mandate is to commercialize India-developed technology, reduce import dependence in strategic sectors, and build a self-sustaining domestic deeptech ecosystem.

Name

Technology Development Board, Government of India

Legal name

Technology Development Board, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India

Website

http://tdb.gov.in/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Technology Development Board (TDB) is an Indian government statutory body that provides concessional loans, equity, and grants to domestic startups commercializing indigenous technology across deeptech sectors including AI, quantum, biotech, semiconductors, and space.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Technology Funding

NAICS

Public Finance Activities (92113)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

Infrastructure & Project Finance Development Banks (FSABAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

National Development Banks & State Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) (BPADACAC)

Keywords

• Government technology funding
• Concessional industrial loans
• Deep-tech R&D financing
• Innovation fund management
• Technology commercialization support

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Loan Repayments: TDB provides financial assistance primarily in the form of loans at 5% simple annual interest with royalty payments on product sales. Repayment commences one year after project completion and is repaid over 4.5 years in nine half-yearly instalments. Accumulated interest is distributed over three years.
2. Interest Income from Loans: TDB generates revenue through interest on loans provided to industrial concerns. The scheme offers concessional interest rates of 2-4% under the RDI Fund, with TDB providing up to 50% of project costs as loans, equity, or hybrid instruments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Technology Development Board (TDB) is a statutory body of the Government of India that provides concessional financial assistance — including loans (up to 50–70% of project cost at 5% simple interest, or 3–4% under the RDI Fund), equity participation (up to 25%), and grants — to Indian industrial concerns, startups, and MSMEs for the development and commercialization of indigenous technologies or adaptation of imported technologies. It also serves as a second-level fund manager under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation's ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund for deep-tech deployment.

Product overview

The Technology Development Board (TDB) is not a product company but a government funding body that provides financial assistance to Indian industrial concerns for the development and commercialization of indigenous technologies. TDB operates two primary mechanisms: (1) TDB Core Funding - providing loans (up to 50-70% of project cost at 5% interest), equity (up to 25%), and grants for technology development projects at mid-to-high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 7-9), and (2) RDI Fund management under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation's ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund, which deploys concessional loans at 3-4% interest rates to deeptech startups, MSMEs, and established companies across strategic sectors including deep-tech, biotechnology, AI-based technologies, and critical minerals. TDB does not offer a traditional product portfolio but facilitates technology commercialization through its funding programs across sectors such as Health & Medical (124 agreements), Engineering, IT, Telecommunications, Defense, Agriculture, Energy, Road Transport, and Space Sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TDB Core Funding Concessional financial assistance programme providing loans at 5% simple annual interest, equity participation up to 25% of project cost, and grants in exceptional cases to Indian industrial concerns and agencies developing or commercializing indigenous technology. Includes royalty obligations on product sales and a 4.5-year repayment schedule post-completion.
• RDI Fund Management Management of the ₹2,000 crore RDI Fund allocation for projects at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above, deploying low-interest loans (3-4%) with repayment periods up to 15 years, equity participation, or convertible debentures with no collateral requirement to deep-tech companies in strategic sectors.
• International Collaborative R&D Programmes Bilateral collaborative R&D programmes co-financing joint industrial research projects between Indian companies and partners in Finland, Spain, Israel, UK, Singapore, Sweden and Canada, including the India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026, India-Israel I4F programme, India-UK Collaborative R&D, and Indo-Singapore/Canada/Sweden programmes.
• Calls for Proposals (CFPs)

Quantifiable outcome

• 444+ funding agreements signed since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered major, supporting and core.

• Puretronics India Private LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026TDB provided financial assistance to Mumbai-based Puretronics for commercialization of Load Magnetic Overload (LMO) Sensor - India's first fully contactless programmable load measurement system for industrial applications including elevators, cranes, and hoists.
• IDT Innovation Technologies Pvt. Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026TDB partnered with Nagpur-based IDT Innovation Technologies to develop and commercialize indigenous Industrial AIoT technologies under Government of India's Industry 4.0 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives for smart manufacturing.
• Helix Cell Therapeutics Private LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026TDB agreement for developing novel dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapy targeting BCMA and CD19 markers for Multiple Myeloma along with Phase I clinical trials, under Indo-Singapore collaborative framework with Biocell Innovations.
• NTF Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Delhi-based company developing indigenous Type-IV composite CNG cylinders using filament winding, blow moulding, and high-pressure testing technologies, producing cylinders up to 75% lighter than steel and capable of withstanding burst pressures exceeding 600 bar.
• Casey Aviation Pvt. Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2026Gurugram-based company developing BE-JTO (Boost Electric Jump Take-Off) hybrid propulsion system for UAVs under India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme in partnership with UK-based ARC Aerosystems Ltd.
• Scharge Pvt LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2026TDB partnered with Scharge under India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme to develop advanced EV charging solutions for commercial fleet operations, integrating Scharge's charge controller with Albright's automated cable management system.
• UK-based Albright Product Design LimitedsupportingTechnology or Integration · 6 April 2026UK partner in India-UK Collaborative R&D Programme working with Scharge on advanced EV charging solutions for fleet operations, providing patented automated cable management system technology.
• Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Private LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026TDB supported commercialization of bio-waste-derived hard carbon anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, reducing reliance on imported lithium and supporting India's clean energy transition.
• Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Pvt. Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026Roorkee-based company commercializing bio-waste-derived hard carbon as anode material for sodium-ion batteries, establishing circular economy model converting agricultural waste into advanced battery materials.
• InfinityX Innovations Private LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026TDB-DST funding for automated battery swapping stations with sub-40-second swap capability and modular architecture compatible across vehicle platforms. Bengaluru manufacturing facility planned.
• InfinityX InnovationsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Bengaluru startup commercializing automated EV battery swapping stations capable of completing battery swap in under 40 seconds with standardized interoperable swapping network.
• OrbitAID AerospacemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026TDB backing development of Standard Interface Docking and Refueling Port (SIDRP) - TRL-7 technology for in-space satellite life extension using LiDAR, optical, and infrared sensors for autonomous satellite approach.
• Ayukriyam Innovations Pvt. Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026IIT Delhi spin-off developing Autoscope - AI-driven fully automated whole slide imaging diagnostic system. TDB funding will establish manufacturing facility and conduct field evaluations for commercialization.
• Subner Pte Ltd, SingaporesupportingTechnology or Integration · 28 February 2026Singapore-based collaborator on indigenous acoustic antenna development for underwater high data rate communication, combining Indian underwater acoustics expertise with Subner's software-defined communication frameworks.
• Gudlyf Mobility Private LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2026TDB-DST backing for developing 700 bar working pressure Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) for hydrogen storage, establishing advanced manufacturing facility in Madurai for mobility, stationary, UAV, and defence applications.
• Elmentoz Research Private LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2026Odisha startup commercializing ELGROW Smart Protein - antimicrobial peptide-enriched antibiotic-free feed ingredient for poultry, aquaculture, and pet food using proprietary insect biomanufacturing platform converting agri-food waste.
• Vijai Marine Services Pvt. Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 January 2026TDB approved funding for Indo-Canada collaborative project to develop 20-passenger electric boat for inland and coastal water transport. Vijai Marine designs and constructs fiber-reinforced plastic vessel integrating ACEL Power's electric propulsion.
• Raptee.HVmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2025Chennai-based electric motorcycle startup securing TDB funding for proprietary high-voltage technology, becoming first EV motorcycle OEM in India to receive TDB support, targeting USD 1 billion performance electric motorcycle category.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANRF is the apex body overseeing the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund. TDB serves as one of the second-level fund managers (SLFMs) under ANRF, deploying capital to private sector deep-tech projects.
• Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIRAC serves as co-second-level fund manager alongside TDB for the RDI Fund, focusing on biotechnology and allied domains while TDB handles sunrise and strategic sectors. Both received initial ₹2,000 crore allocations.
• FinlandsupportingTechnology or IntegrationInternational bilateral collaboration under India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 for collaborative industrial R&D.
• SpainsupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndia-Spain joint call for RDI projects 2024, results announced for collaborative industrial R&D partnerships.
• IsraelsupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndia-Israel Industrial R&D (I4F) programme with both general and strategic calls for collaborative R&D projects between Indian and Israeli partners.
• United KingdomsupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndia-UK Collaborative R&D Programme for Industrial Sustainability supporting joint projects in EV charging, UAV propulsion, and other clean technology areas.
• SingaporesupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndia-Singapore collaborative RDI programme supporting joint projects including underwater communication technology development.
• SwedensupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndia-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme with RFP process for joint proposals.
• CanadasupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndia-Canada collaborative R&D programme supporting joint projects including electric boat development with ACEL Power Inc.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC): India's BIRAC is the co-second-level fund manager for the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund alongside TDB, specifically deploying capital into biotechnology and allied domains. They share statutory government backing, identical concessional instrument design (loans, equity, grants), and operate under the same ANRF apex body, making them the most direct institutional peer.

Broad incumbents

• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI): SIDBI is India's principal DFI for MSMEs and startups, deploying concessional capital, venture funds, and fund-of-funds vehicles (e.g., Fund of Funds for Startups). Like TDB, it is a statutory government entity channeling public capital to private risk-taking, but with a broader MSME mandate versus TDB's technology-development focus.
• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD): NABARD is a Government of India DFI focused on agriculture and rural development financing, similar in statutory structure and concessional lending approach to TDB but sector-divergent. Its DFI operating model (raising funds, lending to priority sectors at below-market rates) closely parallels TDB's technology financing approach.
• Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank India): Exim Bank India is a Government-owned DFI providing project finance, lines of credit, and concessional funding for strategic export and infrastructure sectors. Its mandate to finance commercially risky strategic sectors via government-backed concessional capital is structurally analogous to TDB's mission of supporting high-risk deep-tech development.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The U.S. SBA is a federal credit agency that provides loan guarantees, direct lending, and SBIC venture funding programs for U.S. small businesses — a structurally similar federal credit agency with a concessional lending mandate. SBA's SBA-backed loan intermediation function is a direct international analog to TDB's project finance lending for tech development.

Regional players

• National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF): NIIF is an Indian government-backed investment platform/sovereign-like fund investing in infrastructure and strategic sectors. While its mandate is broader than TDB's tech-development focus, it shares the model of being a sovereign-controlled entity channeling government capital to catalyze private investment in priority areas.

Emerging players

• British Business Bank: British Business Bank is the UK's state-owned development bank providing venture debt, growth capital, and concessional funding to UK SMEs and startups. Its mission to address UK venture funding gaps and leverage private co-investment closely parallels TDB's mandate to address India's R&D commercialization gap.
• Bpifrance: Bpifrance is France's state-owned investment bank that supports SMEs, startups, and innovation via direct investment, loans, and fund-of-funds vehicles. Its deep-tech/innovation financing activities and government-backed capital deployment model make it a comparable international DFI peer for TDB.
• DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft): DEG is the German development finance institution financing private-sector investments in developing countries. Its mandate of providing long-term capital and equity to private companies in emerging markets for development impact is structurally analogous to TDB's concessional R&D financing role.

Others

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): ANRF is the apex body overseeing the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund and the parent organization that has allocated TDB and BIRAC as second-level fund managers. While not a directly competing entity, ANRF sets the policy and allocation framework within which TDB operates, functioning as a parent/governing peer in the same R&D finance ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments14 records

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Frequently asked questions about Technology Development Board, Government of India