AIC GUSEC Foundation

What AIC GUSEC Foundation does

AIC GUSEC Foundation is a not-for-profit incubation company established in 2016 as an Atal Incubation Centre under the Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog, Government of India, and promoted by Gujarat University — India's largest state university with 400,000+ students. The foundation operates a "zero-day, zero-cost" incubation model, providing mentorship, free co-working workspace, and routing access to multiple government grant schemes (Startup India Seed Fund Scheme up to ₹50 Lakh, SSIP up to ₹10 Lakh, Startup Gujarat Scheme up to ₹25 Lakh) to for-profit social enterprises and impact-driven startups, with a stated portfolio of 40+ social-impact startups under AIC GUSEC and 300+ startups supported historically across the parent GUSEC ecosystem. Its program stack has expanded from a single incubation offering into a multi-program platform: the herSTART Incubator and Accelerator for women entrepreneurs (launched October 2022 with UNICEF support, updated to herSTART 4.0 in November 2024), the Meta/MeitY XR Startup Program (Western India implementation partner, ₹20 Lakh grants to 10 startups), the Climate Tech Accelerator (June 2025, co-led with Indian Institute of Sustainability, Gujarat University, ₹50 Lakh funding), a Health Tech Accelerator, MSME Idea Hackathon (up to ₹15 lakh prizes), and the Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Centre being built with UNICEF. The underlying technology footprint is a GUSEC Incubation ERP (apply.aicgusec.org) for application tracking and the Atom startup login portal, with no proprietary AI/ML product; the foundation monetizes neither services nor equity, instead sustaining operations through government mission grants, DPIIT/Startup India schemes, and multilateral/corporate partnerships. Customer segments are distributed across women entrepreneurs, student innovators, early-stage Gujarat-registered startups, and climate-tech founders, with success stories spanning BabyOrgano (₹6 Cr seed), Nuutjob (Shark Tank India), ShowMyParking (7 lakh+ bookings), Crooze (18,000+ downloads), Liquify (₹75 Cr+ disbursed), and Rudraya Wastech (1.8M+ reusable containers circulated).

Name

AIC GUSEC Foundation

Legal name

AIC-GUSEC Foundation

Website

https://aicgusec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AIC GUSEC Foundation is a not-for-profit Atal Incubation Centre promoted by Gujarat University and NITI Aayog that runs zero-cost incubation, accelerator, and grant-routing programs for social enterprises, women entrepreneurs (herSTART), student innovators (SSIP), and climate-tech startups across India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation and Acceleration Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Entrepreneurship support programs
• Social enterprise acceleration
• Government funding schemes
• Innovation ecosystem support

Headquarters

HQ city

Ahmedabad

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Incubation Services: AIC GUSEC is a not-for-profit foundation that provides zero-cost incubation services to for-profit social enterprises. The organization operates through government grants and support from Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) and Gujarat University, rather than generating revenue from startup services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AIC GUSEC Foundation operates a zero-cost incubation and acceleration center for for-profit social enterprises and early-stage startups, offering mentorship, co-working workspace, and access to government-backed funding schemes. It runs multiple specialized programs including Climate Tech Accelerator, herSTART (women entrepreneurs), Meta XR Startup Program, Health Tech Accelerator, MSME Idea Hackathon, and VSCIC children innovation center, while channeling grants from SISFS, SSIP, Startup Gujarat, MeitY TIDE 2.0, and NIDHI schemes.

Product overview

AIC GUSEC Foundation operates as an Atal Incubation Centre under Gujarat University and Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog). It offers a comprehensive startup support ecosystem consisting of zero-cost incubation programs for social enterprises, multiple government-backed funding schemes (SISFS up to INR 50 Lakhs, SSIP up to INR 10 Lakhs, Startup Gujarat Scheme up to INR 25 Lakhs), specialized accelerator programs (Climate Tech Accelerator, herSTART for women entrepreneurs, Meta XR Startup Program, Health Tech Accelerator), and the MSME Idea Hackathon. The foundation also supports the Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Centre and manages the GUSEC Incubation ERP platform for startup management. Its programs focus on social impact, spanning sectors including climate tech, health tech, agritech, XR technologies, and traditional crafts through initiatives like Kaarigar Tank.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• herSTART: Women-focused startup platform launched by President Draupadi Murmu, including herSTART Incubator and herSTART Accelerator with UNICEF support
• Climate Tech Accelerator
• herSTART Accelerator
• herSTART Incubator
• TIDE 2.0
• XR Startup Program

Products and services

• Zero-Cost Incubation Program
• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
• SSIP Grant (Student Startup and Innovation Policy)
• Startup Gujarat Scheme
• Climate Tech Accelerator
• herSTART Platform
• Meta XR Startup Program
• TIDE 2.0 (MeitY)
• MSME Idea Hackathon
• Health Tech Accelerator
• Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Centre (VSCIC)

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ startups supported historically by GUSEC
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wadhwani FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 May 2025Wadhwani Foundation collaborates with AIC GUSEC and Indian Institute of Sustainability on the Climate Tech Accelerator program, providing expert guidance and ecosystem support to climate tech startups.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2022UNICEF has partnered with GUSEC since 2020 to create an innovation support ecosystem for women and school-going children. Together they launched herSTART platform, a dedicated startup incubator and accelerator for women entrepreneurs, including a digital platform with free resources, training modules, digital community, and publication for women innovators.
• MeitY Startup HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2022MeitY Startup Hub partnered with Meta to launch XR Startup Program. GUSEC/AIC GUSEC is an implementation partner focusing on Western India for the Accelerator (supporting 10 startups with Rs. 20 Lakh grants each) and Pan India for the Grand Challenge in Education, Learning and Skills.
• MetacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2022Meta collaborated with MeitY Startup Hub to launch XR Startup Program. GUSEC is implementation partner for Western India, supporting startups working on XR (Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality & Mixed Reality) technologies with mentorship, grants, and infrastructure support.
• Startup GujaratcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup Gujarat (Government of Gujarat) supports the Climate Tech Accelerator, providing funding and ecosystem support for climate tech innovations in Gujarat.
• Indian Institute of Sustainability – Gujarat UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian Institute of Sustainability at Gujarat University co-leads the Climate Tech Accelerator with AIC GUSEC, combining academic and innovation ecosystem expertise for sustainability-focused startups.
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDPIIT recognizes herSTART as a key driving initiative for Gujarat's startup ecosystem in the States Startup Rankings Framework Report, providing national-level validation and policy support.
• Headstart GujaratminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHeadstart Gujarat hosted Bharat Pitchathon 2.0 with GUSEC & AIC GUSEC as partners, featuring venture funds, angel networks, and startup pitching opportunities.
• Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBCCI collaborated with ShowMyParking (GUSEC-incubated startup) for IPL event parking management, showcasing startup capabilities at major sporting events.
• Ahmedabad Municipal CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAMC partnered with India Recycles (GUSEC startup) for citywide RRR campaign under Swachh Survekshan, inaugurated by Hon. Chief Minister and Mayor.
• ISRO / IN-SPACeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGUSEC collaborated with ISRO and IN-SPACe on Pre-Incubation Entrepreneurship (PIE) Development Program for National Space Day, supporting space tech innovations.
• FITT, IIT DelhiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFITT at IIT Delhi partnered with Meta/MeitY XR Startup Program as implementation partner for Northern region and Healthcare grand challenge.
• CIE-IIIT HyderabadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIE at IIIT Hyderabad partnered with Meta/MeitY XR Startup Program as implementation partner for Southern region and Gaming/Entertainment grand challenge.
• Sikkim Manipal UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSikkim Manipal University partnered with Meta/MeitY XR Startup Program as implementation partner for Eastern region and Agritech/Climate/Tourism/Sustainability grand challenge.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore): The incubation and entrepreneurship cell at IIM Bangalore, supporting early-stage social and for-profit startups. Directly comparable as a top-tier academic-institution-backed incubator with strong government and corporate partnerships.
• Startup Oasis: Jaipur-based Atal Incubation Centre (under AIM, NITI Aayog), operating similarly to AIC GUSEC as a non-profit, government-backed incubator supporting early-stage startups with grants, mentorship, and infrastructure.
• T-Hub: India's largest startup incubator, established as a public-private partnership between the Telangana government and industry. Operates accelerator and incubation programs similar in structure to AIC GUSEC, but with greater capital deployment and pan-India reach.
• SINE (IIT Bombay): Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IIT Bombay — a leading technology-business incubator supporting deep-tech and IP-driven startups. Directly comparable as a premier Indian university incubator with government backing and equity-linked programs.
• IIT Madras Research Park / Incubation Cell: IIT Madras's deep-tech focused incubation ecosystem with strong industry and government partnerships. Comparable as a top-tier Indian academic institution-backed incubator with multi-program structure and policy alignment.
• CIE-IIIT Hyderabad: Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IIIT Hyderabad. Direct Meta XR Program implementation partner alongside AIC GUSEC; comparable as a technology-focused academic incubator delivering multi-program, multi-region support.
• FITT (IIT Delhi): Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer at IIT Delhi. Direct implementation partner of AIC GUSEC on the Meta XR Startup Program for Northern India, and a comparable university-backed incubator operating multiple government-linked programs.
• CIIE.CO at IIM Ahmedabad: Innovation and incubation centre at IIM Ahmedabad — also a Gujarat-region academic incubator. Comparable in being a university-promoted, sector-agnostic incubator supporting early-stage ventures with mentorship and capital access.

Broad incumbents

• 91springboard: India's largest coworking and community-led startup hub network. Adjacent peer providing workspace, community, and event infrastructure that overlaps with AIC GUSEC's incubation support model, but at a larger scale and with a commercial fee model.

Emerging players

• Villgro: India's oldest social enterprise incubator, focused on healthcare, agriculture, and education impact startups. Comparable to AIC GUSEC's social-impact mandate but with deeper sector specialization and an equity-bearing funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aicgusec
• Xx.com/aicgusec
• Facebookfacebook.com/aicgusec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AIC GUSEC Foundation