Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory

What Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory does

Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory (riidl) is a Mumbai-based technology business incubator founded in 2010 and operated as an integral unit of Somaiya Vidyavihar University, with its headquarters in the Bhaskaracharya Building on campus. It provides end-to-end startup infrastructure and services — from pre-incubation through Series-A funding — to early-stage founders, student innovators, and researchers, and has reportedly incubated over 300 startups with 7 exits while creating more than 1,000 jobs and internship opportunities.

The platform is architected around five specialized laboratories — a Digital Fabrication Lab (FABLAB, affiliated with the Fab Foundation at MIT), a DIY Bio Lab (Bioriidl, India's first such facility, supported by BIRAC and DBT), an AI/ML Lab, an AR/VR Lab, and a Media Lab — supplemented by structured programs (Project-Based Learning, FAB Academy, SkillED, BEP), the Maker Mela flagship event, the Darwin biology research movement, the online Acceleration Program, and a self-serve Booking Facility System. It also operates the Somaiya School of Design as an affiliated four-year Product Design undergraduate program and runs the online Darwin Conference Research Symposium, which has produced 17 research papers across five research groups (honey, silk, biomaterials, drug discovery, microfluidics).

The business model blends professional services (incubation and mentoring), subscription-based lab membership plans across laser cutters, fablabs, 3D printers, and CNC routers, transaction fees on investor introductions, and government and CSR grants from DST, BIRAC, DBT, the Maharashtra State Innovation Society, and Innoven Capital. Current footprint is 30,000 sqft with a planned five-fold expansion to 150,000 sqft, which management has indicated would rank among India's largest university-affiliated incubators; revenue is not publicly disclosed. Customer acquisition is event-driven through applications, Demo Days, hackathons, Maker Mela, and community initiatives, with most distribution concentrated within a single-country/domestic Indian footprint and a growing roster of international partnerships.

Name

Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory

Legal name

riidl Somaiya Vidyavihar University

Website

http://riidl.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

riidl is a Mumbai-based technology business incubator within Somaiya Vidyavihar University, supporting early-stage startups, student innovators, and researchers via specialized labs (FABLAB, Bio, AI/ML, AR/VR, Media), mentorship, funding facilitation, and structured incubation programs in India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Educational Support Services (61171), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Technology business incubator
• Fab lab prototyping
• Bio-incubation facilities
• Innovation research programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Incubation Services: Provides nurturing environment and workspace to early-stage startups with mentoring and support services from pre-incubation through Series-A funding
2. Lab Membership Plans: Membership programs for Fabrication Lab, Media Lab, and AI/ML facilities offering access to equipment and resources on subscription basis
3. Funding Facilitation: Connects startups with angel investors and VCs through strategic partnerships, offering funding opportunities throughout the incubation journey
4. Government Grants and Support: Supported by Department of Science & Technology, BIRAC, DBT, Maharashtra State Innovation Society providing operational funding

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

riidl operates a technology business incubator that provides startups and student innovators with workspace, mentoring, lab access, and funding connections from pre-incubation through Series-A. Its core is a multi-disciplinary laboratory ecosystem comprising a Digital Fabrication Lab (FABLAB), Bioriidl DIY Bio Lab, AI/ML Lab, AR/VR Lab, and Media Lab, supplemented by structured innovation programs (PBL, FAB Academy, SkillED, BEP), research programs, and design studio services.

Product overview

riidl (Research Innovation Incubation Design Labs) is a technology business incubator operating as a unified ecosystem consisting of multiple interconnected products and services. The core offerings include a Laboratory Ecosystem with five specialized labs (Fabrication Lab/FABLAB, Media Lab, AI/ML Lab, AR/VR Lab, and Bio Lab/Bioriidl), comprehensive Incubation Services for startups, a Startup Portfolio of 176+ ventures, Research Programs with five research groups, Innovation Programs (PBL, FAB Academy, SkillED, BEP), Design Studio Services, and the Somaiya School of Design partnership. The ecosystem is supported by funding opportunity connections, Maker Mela events, and the online Booking Facility System. riidl provides end-to-end support from idea inception through prototyping, incubation, acceleration, and market entry, serving as a one-stop innovation hub for entrepreneurs across India.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bio-riidl: India's first DIY Biolab and Bio-incubator supported by DBT, Government of India and BIRAC, focusing on biotechnology and life sciences research and innovation.
• Somaiya School of Design
• Maker Mela
• Startup School India

Products and services

• Incubation Services Comprehensive startup incubation program offering mentoring, fundraising support, MVP development assistance, business networking facilitation, infrastructure provision, immersion programs, lab access, HR services, and partner collaboration opportunities from pre-incubation through Series-A funding.
• riidl Laboratory Ecosystem Multi-disciplinary laboratory ecosystem providing startups and innovators with access to five specialized labs: Digital Fabrication Lab (FABLAB with MIT affiliation), Media Lab, AI/ML Lab, AR/VR Lab, and Bio Lab (Bioriidl supported by BIRAC). Offers 24/7 access and membership-based rentable equipment for prototyping, testing, and hands-on development.
• Research Programs Research hub supporting ground-breaking discoveries through collaborative spaces and cutting-edge facilities, with five research groups: Honey, Silk, Biomaterials, Drug Discovery, and Microfluidics. Includes a Research Symposium publishing papers in partnership with reputable journals.
• Innovation Programs Programs supporting innovators and entrepreneurs including PBL (Project Based Learning, 10 weeks), FAB Academy (10 months), SkillED (60 days covering 3D Printing, Laser & Vinyl Cutting, CNC Machining, PCB Design), and BEP Bio-Entrepreneurship Program (4 weeks), plus pre-incubation projects and mega projects.
• Design Studio Services Design consultancy offering services in industrial product design, research, user analysis, and MVP development, affiliated with riidl Somaiya Vidyavihar University.
• Bioriidl - India's First DIY Bioincubator Bio-incubation and DIY biology laboratory facility supported by DBT and BIRAC, providing infrastructure and resources for biotech startups and researchers to develop bio-based innovations.
• Somaiya School of Design Four-year full-time undergraduate program in Product Design offered in collaboration with riidl, aiming to revolutionize design education in India.
• NIDHI Prayas Lab NIDHI Prayas Lab set up at Somaiya school campus providing aspiring innovators with funding and infrastructure to transform early-stage ideas into working prototypes.
• riidl Acceleration Program Online acceleration program launched during the pandemic providing mentorship and strategic insights across IT, Electronics, Microbiology, Marketing, and Business development for startups.
• Startup Portfolio Support Active support program for a portfolio of 176+ incubated and graduated startups spanning EdTech, GreenTech, Social Commerce, IT/SaaS, FMCG, and other sectors at various funding stages.
• Darwin Bio-Entrepreneurship Movement One of India's biggest evolutionary movements in biology, supporting bio-entrepreneurship and biological innovation through the Bioriidl lab and associated research programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ startups incubated with 7 successful exits
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Somaiya Vidyavihar UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerriidl is an integral part of Somaiya Vidyavihar University with access to 40,000+ students and university infrastructure.
• Fab Foundation, Centre for Bits and Atoms, MIT USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerriidl is registered as a Fablab with Fab Foundation MIT, providing access to global maker network and standards.
• ISBA (Indian Science and Technology Incubators Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerriidl leadership team are Governing Board members of ISBA, contributing to national incubation standards.
• Indian Merchant ChamberminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerriidl leadership team serve on governing boards providing industry connectivity.
• Harvard Business School FoundrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enables startups to access global sessions, expert guidance, and international perspectives on venture building.
• Imperial College LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExplored collaboration opportunities focusing on market access and exchange program for UK-India startups.
• FICCIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on Space Tech Demo Day connecting space tech startups with top investors.
• Maharashtra State Skills University (MSSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed to strengthen collaboration in entrepreneurship and skill development with structured training and incubation opportunities.
• Indian Plastic InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed to support startups working on solutions to mitigate plastic use and build sustainable future.
• NSRCEL IIM BangaloreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen Startup Program supporting women-led entrepreneurial initiatives with resources and mentoring.
• TiE MumbaicoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerriidl CEO joined Board of TiE Mumbai, strengthening ties with influential entrepreneurship network.
• Somaiya School of DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign institution set up to revolutionize design education in India, offering four-year undergraduate program in Product Design.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• T-Hub: India's largest startup incubator based in Hyderabad, supporting technology and innovation-driven startups. T-Hub is directly comparable to riidl as a Tier-1 Indian incubator offering lab access, mentorship, and corporate partnership programs to early-stage founders.
• SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) - IIT Bombay: University-anchored technology business incubator at IIT Bombay providing lab access, seed funding, and incubation services. SINE is a directly comparable academic-incubator peer with a similar STEM-focused portfolio and government-grant-funded operating model.
• NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore): Incubation and entrepreneurship development center at IIM Bangalore supporting early-stage and women-led startups. NSRCEL is a directly comparable peer — both are Indian university-anchored incubators that riidl explicitly partners with via the Women Startup Program.
• CIE IIIT Hyderabad: Innovation and entrepreneurship center at IIIT Hyderabad providing deep-tech incubation, lab facilities, and seed funding. CIE IIITH is directly comparable to riidl as a university-based tech incubator with strong hardware and AI/ML infrastructure.
• Villgro: India's oldest social enterprise incubator supporting healthcare, agriculture, and cleantech startups. Villgro is comparable to riidl as an India-based incubator with a portfolio model and government/philanthropy funding base, though with a more mission-driven focus.
• Social Alpha: Innovation curation and venture financing platform supporting science and technology startups in agriculture, healthcare, and cleantech. Social Alpha is a comparable peer combining incubation, lab access, and funding facilitation in a model similar to riidl's Bioriidl and research programs.

Broad incumbents

• Atal Incubation Centre (AIC): Government of India-backed nationwide network of incubators established under the Atal Innovation Mission. AIC is a broad incumbent peer sharing riidl's grant-funded model and lab-equipment mandate, with substantially larger national scale and policy influence.
• Startup India (DPIIT): Government of India flagship initiative for startup ecosystem development providing recognition, tax benefits, and access to funding schemes. Startup India is a broad incumbent that shapes the policy and funding environment within which riidl operates.

Regional players

• IIT Madras Research Park: India's first university-based research park hosting deep-tech startups with lab and office infrastructure. IITM Research Park is a regional peer with stronger deep-tech and corporate R&D anchoring, providing a benchmark for riidl's planned 150,000 sqft facility.

Others

• Fab Foundation: MIT-affiliated non-profit coordinating the global Fab Lab network of which riidl is a registered member. Fab Foundation is an ecosystem partner and standards body — comparable because riidl's Fablab credentials and global maker network access derive directly from this affiliation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/riidl
• Facebookfacebook.com/riidl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riidl-somaiya
• Instagraminstagram.com/riidl

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments108 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory