IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation

What IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation does

IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) is a Section 8 non-profit company incorporated in December 2020, hosted on the IIT Tirupati campus in Andhra Pradesh, India. It operates as one of 25 Technology Innovation Hubs sanctioned under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) with a Rs. 100 crore grant. IITTNiF's mandate is Positioning and Precision Technologies (PPT) covering GNSS, GIS, LiDAR, Quantum Navigation, Computer Vision, RF & Microwave remote sensing, AI/ML, and robotics.

The organisation runs an integrated technology lifecycle spanning knowledge generation, translational R&D, commercialisation, and skill development. Core products include multi-constellation GNSS systems with anti-jamming/anti-spoofing capability, GNSS-INS ultra-tightly coupled navigation, LiDAR with Acousto-Optic Modulator integration (sub-1cm range resolution), transportable trapped-ion (40Ca+) atomic clocks, CMOS hyperspectral cameras, the VISIONPARK computer-vision parking system, the Navavishkar indoor-navigation SLAM platform, and the Digital Twin Academia Network. These are delivered through dedicated labs (GNSS, LiDAR, Quantum, CV, AI/ML, Geo-Intel) inaugurated in 2025, with co-located infrastructure including a Safran-partnered PNT Lab and an ESRI Centre of Competence.

Commercial-style activity flows through the VIKAS Incubation Program (17 startups across healthcare, marine, agriculture, defence, geospatial), the Chanakya fellowship track (UG/PG/postdoc), STAR-PNT internships, and VIDYA GIS skill development. Operation Dronagiri, a November 2024 pilot under the National Geospatial Policy 2022, positions IITTNiF as Nodal Geospatial Innovation Accelerator, coordinating four other GIAs (IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIM Calcutta, IIT Ropar) and a corporate partner roster including ITC, HDFC, SBI General, DeHaat, Delhivery, and SatSure. Revenue is effectively grant-driven (DST plus CSR), with programmatic disbursement to startups, academic PNT labs, and Technology Development Projects acting as the primary outflow channel rather than a commercial sales motion.

Name

IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation

Legal name

IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation

Website

https://iittnif.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IITTNiF is a Section 8 non-profit Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Tirupati, funded by India's DST/NM-ICPS with Rs. 100 crore, advancing Positioning and Precision Technologies (GNSS, GIS, LiDAR, Quantum, CV, AI/ML). It incubates startups, funds translational R&D, and operates labs serving academia, defence, and government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology Innovation Hub / Research and Development Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geospatial (GIS) & Network Digital Twin Analytics (EUAJALAM), Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)

Keywords

• Positioning technology development
• Geospatial technology innovation
• Navigation systems research
• Precision technology incubation
• Technology innovation hub

Headquarters

HQ city

Tirupati

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (DST): Primary funding from Department of Science and Technology under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). DST invested Rs. 100 crore for the innovation hub.
2. CSR Contributions: Corporate Social Responsibility funding as a Section 8 company supporting technology development and innovation.
3. Fellowship Program Fees: Fees from Chanakya Post Doctoral Fellowship, integrated postdoctoral fellowships, and other HRD programs.
4. Skill Development Programs: Revenue from VIDYA GIS workshops, training sessions, hands-on programs for GIS, Remote Sensing, and other PPT technologies.
5. Technology Development Projects: Funding disbursed to academic institutes for translational R&D projects under Technology Development Program (TDP).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

IITTNiF is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) that develops Positioning and Precision Technologies (PPT) including GNSS, GIS, LiDAR, Quantum Navigation, Computer Vision, AI/ML, and RF/Microwave Remote Sensing solutions. It operates technology development labs, incubates startups through the VIKAS program, funds translational R&D projects at academic institutes, runs human resource development programs (Chanakya Fellowships, STAR-PNT internships, VIDYA GIS skill training), and functions as the Nodal Geospatial Innovation Accelerator for Operation Dronagiri under India's National Geospatial Policy 2022.

Product overview

IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) operates as a Technology Innovation Hub under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), focused on Positioning and Precision Technologies (PPT). The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected products and services centered around geospatial technologies: GNSS systems for multi-constellation satellite navigation with anti-jamming capabilities, GIS platforms for spatial data analysis, LiDAR technology for 3D mapping and digital twin creation, Quantum Navigation including portable atomic clocks, Computer Vision solutions like VISIONPARK for smart parking, and AI/ML for geospatial analytics. The core offering is complemented by specialized labs (CV Lab, LiDAR Lab, AI/ML Lab, Geo-Intel Lab) and initiatives like the Digital Twin Academia Network and PNT Laboratory. IITTNiF provides technology development, startup incubation (VIKAS program), skill development (VIDYA GIS), and fellowships for students and researchers across the PNT ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Darshak: Newsletter of IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation dedicated to advancing Positioning and Precision Technologies
• VIKAS Incubation Program
• VIDYA GIS
• Operation Dronagiri
• Chanakya Fellowship

Products and services

• GNSS Technology Development Development of multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) with anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities for India's IRNSS/NavIC and other satellite navigation constellations. Targeted at strategic and civilian applications including defense, aviation, and autonomous vehicles.
• LiDAR Technology Development Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology development for 3D mapping, digital twin creation, indoor/outdoor navigation, and terrain modeling. Includes proprietary Acousto-Optic Modulator (AOM) integration achieving >1cm range resolution in compact, low-cost systems.
• Quantum Navigation Technology Next-generation quantum positioning systems and precision timing sensors, including development of portable all-optical trapped ion-based atomic clocks (single calcium 40Ca+ ion) for improved GPS holdover and GNSS-denied navigation. Targeted at aerospace, autonomous vehicles, and defense applications.
• Computer Vision Solutions Computer Vision-based solutions including VISIONPARK for real-time smart parking management, small object detection in aerial images, and indoor employee tracking systems. Built around an in-house CV Translational R&D Lab.
• GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Platform Geographic Information Systems platform for spatial data analysis, mapping, and visualization, with applications across smart cities, precision agriculture, disaster management, and land records modernization.
• AI/ML Solutions for Geospatial Analytics Artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities for geospatial data processing, crop health monitoring, flood mapping, and precision agriculture applications through a dedicated AI/ML Lab.
• VISIONPARK Smart Parking System Computer vision-based smart parking and navigation system with a web-based dashboard providing real-time monitoring of parking slots and automated car detection in parking zones. Built as an in-house technology development project.
• Navavishkar Navigation with LiDAR (NNEB) Precise location data system for autonomous robots, drones, and indoor navigation using LiDAR with phases of self-positioning, simultaneous localization, building image correlation, and SLAM to develop Navavishkar Navigation Enabled Buildings (NNEB).
• Digital Twin Academia Network Platform for real-time survey and data capture of academic campuses using RGB, LiDAR, hyperspectral, and multispectral sensors to build comprehensive digital twin models for academic and industrial applications.
• VIKAS Incubation Program Startup incubation program focusing on GIS, Drones, GNSS, and Underwater Technologies, providing funding, mentorship, lab access, and market access to early-stage and growth-stage startups in the Positioning and Precision Technologies domain. Has incubated 17 startups across Healthcare, Marine, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Education, Defence, Public Services, and Geospatial sectors.
• VIDYA GIS Skill Development Program Skill development initiative for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training delivered to school and college students across India, including a Train the Trainers Program in rural districts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and East Godavari district.
• PNT Laboratory (Safran Partnership) Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Laboratory established in collaboration with Safran, offering specialized skill development programs under Safran's Minerva Program using Skydel software for GNSS/NavIC courses. Inaugurated by DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar in March 2025.
• Chanakya Fellowship Program Integrated Chanakya Fellowship program with UG, PG, and Postdoctoral tracks across multiple spoke institutes. Postdoctoral fellows receive Rs. 80,000 per month with mandatory deliverables including at least one patent and research progress reaching TRL 4. STAR-PNT summer internships offer Rs. 5,000 per month executive internships for UG and PG students.
• Operation Dronagiri National pilot project under National Geospatial Policy 2022, launched by DST in November 2024. Demonstrates applications of geospatial technologies in agriculture, skilling & livelihoods, and transport & infrastructure across five states. IITTNiF serves as the Nodal Geospatial Innovation Accelerator (GIA) coordinating with IIT Kanpur, IIM Calcutta, IIT Bombay, and IIT Ropar.
• Hyperspectral Camera System In-house developed hyperspectral camera using CMOS technology for remote sensing applications, capturing hyperspectral cube data for vegetation and environmental analysis. Developed in-house at IITTNiF.
• Radio Frequency & Microwave Remote Sensing Technology RF and microwave remote sensing technology including antennas, radiometers, scatterometers, transceivers, and RADARs for collecting data on physical properties of natural and artificial media for remote sensing applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rs. 2.15 crore disbursed to 10 startups under DISCOVER/SARATHI and SMART GIS Challenge
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability9 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• HexagoncoreTechnology or Integration · 24 January 2025High-level discussion on 3D Digital Twin models, NAVIC applications, drone-based imaging. Focus on anti-jamming, anti-spoofing technologies, industry-aligned skill development, digital twin agriculture applications, and market-driven innovations linked to Operation Dronagiri.
• FARO.aicoreTechnology or Integration · 8 January 2025Strategic meeting focused on connecting for synergies and advancing Digital Twin technology for academic and industrial projects. FARO to provide problem statements and support creating advanced campus models. Proposal to make Tirupati the first Digital Twin Trained City.
• Survey of India and National Geospatial PolicyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Surveyor General of India Shri Hitesh Kumar Makwana and DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar supporting Operation Dronagiri under National Geospatial Policy 2022.
• PUM and aHubminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 October 2024Collaborated with PUM and aHub for 'Empowering Incubators: Mastering Global Success & Sustainability' workshop at AP Innovation Valley, Visakhapatnam.
• MagnasoftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2024MoU signed with Magnasoft for collaboration in AI/ML, Image Processing, and Engineering domains. Includes internship opportunities through TIH-Chanakya Internship Programs.
• Andhra Pradesh Innovation SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2023MOU signed with Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society for joint innovation initiatives and startup ecosystem development in the state.
• J-HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2023MoU signed for collaboration in positioning and precision technologies with J-Hub innovation ecosystem.
• AP Drone CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTripartite agreement signed at Amaravati Drone Summit 2024 between IITTNIF, AP Drone Corporation, and IIT Tirupati for cutting-edge research, development, and deployment of drone solutions in agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety sectors.
• HSPLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed for strategic partnership focused on developing advanced solutions in navigation, geospatial technology, and cyber-physical systems with industry-academia synergy.
• Trimble Navigation India Pvt. Ltd.coreTechnology or IntegrationDiscussions ongoing for GNSS boards, GIS/GNSS data, CORS information access; potential hackathons, NavIC seminars, knowledge partnerships; joint initiatives in skill development and internship programs.
• Infosys ChennaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration for training executives and staff, joint technology development projects (TDP), internships, and collaboration discussions.
• IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit to IIT Madras TIH Pravartak for insights on innovation, cross-institutional collaboration, and technology commercialization. Discussions on tech commercialization best practices.
• Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (GDPDC) and GIC/DSTflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDPDC and GIC/DST lead Operation Dronagiri with IITTNiF as Nodal GIA. GDPDC Chairman: Shri Srikant Sastri; GIC led by Dr Konga Gopikrishna.
• Centre for Data for Public Good (CDPG), IISc BangalorecoreTechnology or IntegrationCDPG developed the Geospatial Data Infrastructure (GDI) and Geospatial Data-sharing Interface platform. Led by Mrs. Kalpana Krishnaswami. Over 250 geospatial datasets made available.
• Corporate Partners for Operation DronagiricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor partners: ITC Limited, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, SBI General Insurance, DeHaat, Delhivery, TMI Group, LCB Fertilizers Private Limited, Aquaconnect, ideaForge, SatSure, Cropin, Hands on. Sectors: Agriculture, Transport, Infrastructure.
• Geospatial Innovation Accelerators (GIAs)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGIA Agreement formalized with IITTNiF as Nodal GIA coordinating: Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (IIT Kanpur), IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, Society for Innovation Entrepreneurship (SINE) IIT Bombay, iHub - AWaDH IIT Ropar. Roles include startup mentorship, resource facilitation, and local implementation of Accelerator Program.
• Indian NavycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCall for proposals targeting innovation in underwater navigation and marine technologies. Focus areas: High-Precision INS for Underwater Vehicles, Navigation Systems for GNSS-Denied Underwater Operations, Regional Underwater Positioning Solution (UWPS), Indian Underwater Time Signal System.
• Sac (ISRO), AhmedabadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with ISRO's Space Applications Centre for quantum positioning technologies and atomic clock development for satellite navigation applications.
• DRDO, New Delhi and RCI (DRDO) HyderabadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for defence applications of quantum positioning systems, portable atomic clocks, and secure communication technologies.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle providing AirView+ API, mentorship support, connecting startups with partners, hosting hackathon at Google offices for air pollution solutions in Vizianagaram, Gurugram, and Varanasi.
• EarthSight FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizing 'Satellite in Your Hand' workshop on geospatial support for sustainable village development in Assam for village-level stakeholders.
• Godavari Global University (GGU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected as nodal point for Train the Trainers Program under VIDYAGIS initiative for East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.
• VR Siddhartha Engineering College (VRSEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExploration of 3D campus Digital Twin project, hackathon and workshop collaboration, startup schemes, and Multi-Disciplinary Research initiatives.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trimble Inc. Established GNSS, GIS and surveying technology provider with active India discussions with IITTNiF; comparable as a commercial-scale incumbent targeting overlapping anti-jamming GNSS and NavIC-related use cases.
• Hexagon AB: Global leader in geospatial, PNT and digital twin software/hardware; comparable because IITTNiF is already engaged with Hexagon on NAVIC applications, anti-jamming GNSS and digital twin agriculture - and competes for the same Indian strategic-customer wallet.
• Esri India: GIS software incumbent that recently established a Centre of Competence in Geospatial Innovations with IITTNiF; comparable because it dominates the GIS platform layer that IITTNiF's VIDYA GIS and spatial-data efforts target.
• ISRO - Indian Space Research Organisation: Strategic partner through its Space Applications Centre for quantum positioning/atomic clock development; comparable as India's sovereign satellite-navigation and space-tech incumbent whose NavIC ecosystem IITTNiF's GNSS work directly feeds into.
• Safran - Navigation & Timing: Global PNT systems and Skydel GNSS simulator partner that co-established the PNT Laboratory with IITTNiF; comparable as an incumbent whose products (atomic clocks, GNSS simulators) sit adjacent to IITTNiF's quantum positioning roadmap.
• Google Maps Platform / Google Geo: Global geospatial platform partner providing AirView+ API to IITTNiF's Operation Dronagiri hackathons; comparable as a broad incumbent whose ecosystem scale dwarfs any single innovation hub.

Direct peers

• SINE - Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIT Bombay: Sister GIA under Operation Dronagiri; comparable deep-tech incubator at a peer IIT with overlapping geospatial, AI and sensor-technology startup portfolios.
• IIT Kanpur - SIIC (Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre): Sister Geospatial Innovation Accelerator (GIA) under Operation Dronagiri alongside IITTNiF; comparable academic-incubator with similar government-backed incubation and startup funding programs.
• IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation: Sister Technology Innovation Hub under NM-ICPS hosted at IIT Madras; shares the same hub-and-spoke funding model, DST mandate and translational R&D focus, making it the most structurally comparable peer.
• iHub - AWaDH, IIT Ropar: Sister Technology Innovation Hub under NM-ICPS focused on agriculture and water; operates the same hub-and-spoke translational R&D and startup support model as IITTNiF.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iittniftih
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SocialMediaIITTNiF
• Facebookfacebook.com/iittniftih
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iittniftih
• Instagraminstagram.com/iittniftih

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation