Indian STEPs and Business Incubators Association

What Indian STEPs and Business Incubators Association does

The Indian STEPs and Business Incubators Association (ISBA), legally registered as 'Indian Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park and Business Incubators Association' under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, is the apex national not-for-profit body representing Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Parks (STEPs), accelerators, and ecosystem stakeholders in India. Founded in 2004 by STEPs and TBIs supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, ISBA connects, guides, and strengthens 264+ member incubators embedded in academic institutions, research organizations, technology parks, and public-private partnerships, with direct policy engagement to central and state bodies.

The core 'product' is a programmatic platform stack rather than a software product: the ISBAHub digital platform for member communications and resource access (hub.isba.in); ISBACON, the annual flagship conference (17th edition in December 2025 at IIT Guwahati with 300+ delegates); the CXO Conclave leadership series (CXOConnect 2025 in Visakhapatnam with 70+ CEOs); the Management Development Programs (MDPs) delivered at SINE IIT Bombay, C-CAMP, FITT IIT Delhi, and IIT Guwahati; the newly launched Knowledge & Resource Centre and Investment Playbook (December 2025); regional workshops; IP awareness workshops; and the DST-ISBA national awards. Distribution is direct through membership acquisition and flagship events, supplemented by partnerships with NSTEDB/DST, BIRAC, MeitY Startup Hub, AIM NITI Aayog, state innovation missions (MSInS, KSUM, TANSIM), HDFC Bank Parivartan, IDFC FIRST Bank, KPMG, Stanford Seed, and AABI.

Revenue mechanics are mixed: recurring Primary Membership fees (INR 25,000/year + 18% GST), Life Membership at INR 2,00,000 for 10 years, Associate Membership for ecosystem stakeholders, Sponsor Membership over 2 years, conference delegate and sponsorship revenue (INR 15,000-$25,000 per ISBACON delegate), training and MDP participant fees, and government grant / CSR support (notably HDFC Bank Parivartan). ISBA functions primarily on a community-led go-to-market with 1-10 employees, headquartered in Noida with a President Office in Navi Mumbai.

Name

Indian STEPs and Business Incubators Association

Legal name

Indian Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park and Business Incubators Association

Website

https://isba.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISBA is India's national not-for-profit association for technology business incubators and accelerators, serving 264+ member incubators since 2004 with policy advocacy, capacity building, an annual conference (ISBACON), CXO Conclaves, MDPs, and a Knowledge & Resource Centre.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Noida

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Primary Membership for Technology Business Incubators at INR 25,000/year plus 18% GST; Associate Membership for ecosystem stakeholders; Life Membership at INR 2,00,000 plus 18% GST (10 years validity); Sponsor Membership for industries providing substantial financial support over 2 years.
2. Conference and Event Revenue: ISBACON annual conference generates revenue through delegate fees (ISBA members: complimentary passes for 2 delegates; Additional member: INR 15,000 plus 18% GST; Non-members: INR 25,000 plus 18% GST), sponsorships, and exhibition fees.
3. Training and Capacity Building Programs: Management Development Programs (MDPs) and workshops generate revenue through participant fees for incubation managers and ecosystem builders.
4. Government Grants and Support: Supported by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. HDFC Bank Parivartan supports MDP initiatives. Partnerships with NSTEDB, BIRAC, MeitY, state governments for capacity building programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ISBA is a not-for-profit national association that connects, guides, and strengthens 264+ member incubators and accelerators across India. It delivers value through tiered membership programs (Primary, Associate, Life, Sponsor), flagship events (ISBACON, CXO Conclaves), Management Development Programs for incubation managers, a Knowledge and Resource Centre with curated playbooks and SOPs, and policy advocacy with central and state government bodies.

Product overview

ISBA (Indian STEPs and Business Incubators Association) is a not-for-profit national association that serves as India's incubation backbone, representing and supporting 264+ incubators and accelerators. Rather than a single software product, ISBA operates as a platform-plus-programs organization offering: ISBAHub (digital membership and collaboration platform), ISBACON (annual flagship conference), CXO Conclave (leadership forum), Management Development Programs (MDPs) for capacity building, a Knowledge Centre with curated resources, regional workshops, and IP awareness workshops. These offerings work together to connect, guide, and strengthen India's incubation ecosystem through policy advocacy, capability building, governance standards, and knowledge sharing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISBAHub Digital membership and collaboration platform connecting 264+ incubators, innovators, mentors, and investors across India; provides membership management, event registration, and resource access for TBIs and ecosystem stakeholders.
• ISBACON Annual Conference India's largest annual gathering of incubation leaders, policymakers, and startups; a strategic platform where incubators, investors, and policymakers converge to shape India's innovation ecosystem. 17th edition drew 300+ delegates.
• CXO Conclave Exclusive leadership forum for CEOs, CXOs, and senior practitioners from member incubators; provides high-level strategic discussions, masterclasses, and cross-sector collaboration sessions.
• Management Development Programs (MDPs) Structured training programs for incubation managers and ecosystem builders covering strategic planning, financial sustainability, seed fund management, and ecosystem networking. Series delivered at premier TBIs such as SINE IIT Bombay, C-CAMP, and FITT IIT Delhi.
• ISBA Knowledge and Resource Centre Curated digital library of insights, strategic updates, and premium resources for incubation professionals, including SOPs, templates, reports, playbooks, and whitepapers such as the Investment Playbook for Startup Incubators.
• Regional Workshops Focused hands-on workshops addressing regional challenges and opportunities, bringing local stakeholders together to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems through localized collaboration and best-practice exchange.
• IP Awareness Workshop Workshop designed to help entrepreneurs and startup founders understand intellectual property fundamentals, significance of IP for startups, and patent strategy for global protection; delivered with IP specialist Arctic Invent.
• ISBA Membership Program Tiered membership program offering Primary (INR 25,000/year), Associate, Life (INR 2,00,000 for 10 years), and Sponsor tiers for Technology Business Incubators, STEPs, and ecosystem stakeholders such as financial institutions, VCs, R&D labs, and academic institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 264+ member incubators and accelerators supported
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NSTEDB, DST, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004NSTEDB (National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board), established in 1982 under DST, is ISBA's founding partner. NSTEDB promotes gainful self-employment amongst S&T manpower and supports knowledge-based enterprises. Joint initiatives include Capacity Building Programmes, DST-ISBA Awards, PFMS Training, and DST National Incubator Conclave.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI AayogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIM is Government of India's flagship initiative to promote innovation and entrepreneurship culture, set up in 2016. Partnership supports holistic approach to ensure problem-solving innovative mindset in schools and entrepreneurship ecosystem in universities and research institutions.
• BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIRAC is a not-for-profit Section 8 public sector enterprise set up by DBT as interface agency to strengthen biotech enterprises. Joint initiatives include BioNEST Outreach Programmes, Congregation of Managers, International Linkage Initiatives, and ISBA Annual Conference participation.
• Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSInS is the nodal body of Government of Maharashtra executing the Maharashtra State Innovative Startup Policy 2018. Partnership focuses on Business Incubation Management Training for Incubators in Maharashtra and Capacity Building Programmes.
• Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKerala Startup Mission played pivotal role in development of Kerala's vibrant startup ecosystem. Partnership includes Capacity Building Programmes to strengthen incubation capabilities in Kerala.
• MeitY Startup HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeitY Startup Hub under Software Technology Parks of India builds conducive innovation and startup ecosystem by bringing together technology innovation stakeholders. Partnership includes Capacity Building Programmes for incubators.
• KPMG Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd.majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMoU signed to establish network of incubators in Delhi/NCR region. ISBA acts as anchor agency providing support in augmentation of online startup portal, service provisioning, facilitating MoUs, linkages, industry connect, mentor pool creation, and knowledge exchange. Subcontractor agreement for program implementation.
• Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (TANSIM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISBA is program partner with TANSIM for 'Scale-up Incubator 2.0: An Incubation Management Training Program on Investment Management' for CEOs and Incubation Managers. TANSIM has extended funding support to ISBACON 2022.
• Technology Development Board (TDB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed with TDB for funding scheme for commercialization of homegrown products. Webinar organized for startups across the country. TDB supported ISBA in organizing five i-Connect Series through webinars.
• Stanford Seed (India Private Limited)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration agreement signed for online Entrepreneurship Training Program 'Spark 07 June 2023 Cohort'. ISBA partnered with Stanford Seed India to offer Seed Spark Program to member incubator startups.
• Startup AssamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssam Startup is an initiative by Assam Government to create start-up ecosystem and culture of entrepreneurship by promoting and empowering youth to become job creators.
• Asian Association of Business Incubation (AABI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISBA collaborates with AABI to strengthen global linkages for India's incubation ecosystem. Partnership enables cross-border knowledge exchange, access to international best practices, and participation in regional incubation forums across Asia.
• AWEX (Wallonia Export & Investment Agency, Belgium)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational collaboration connecting India to Wallonia's innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurship and incubation knowledge exchange.
• SINE IIT BombaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociety for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IIT Bombay is ISBA's key partner for MDP Series. Hosted MDP Series II in January 2026. SINE IIT Bombay is a leading TBI and active ISBA member.
• FITT IIT DelhicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer at IIT Delhi hosted MDP Series IV in March 2026. FITT is a leading technology business incubator and ISBA member.
• C-CAMP BangalorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms hosted MDP Series III in February 2026. C-CAMP is a bioincubator and active ISBA member.
• IDFC FIRST BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerIDFC FIRST Bank powered ISBACON 2025 as title sponsor. India's largest incubator and innovation leaders meet held at IIT Guwahati in December 2025.
• IIT GuwahatimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIT Guwahati was the venue and co-organizer of ISBACON 2025 (17th edition). Also hosts BIONEST TBI Incubation Center.
• Arctic InventminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArctic Invent partnered with ISBA for Workshop on IP Awareness in February 2026. Specialized IP strategy and innovation management firm providing expert speakers.
• NSTEDB-DST ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programs including Managing an Incubator, Seed Fund & Sustainability, Designing & Managing Accelerators, Experience Sharing & Networking, DST National Incubator Conclave, DST-ISBA Awards.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs): Global non-profit network of entrepreneurs and investors. TiE runs mentoring, chapters across India, and capacity programs for founders - a comparable peer operating as an apex entrepreneur/incubator-support body with membership economics and chapters, but broader in scope beyond TBIs.
• NASSCOM: India's apex technology industry chamber running the 10,000 Startups program, deep-tech clusters, and policy advocacy for tech startups. Comparable as an industry association aggregating member companies and shaping government incubation/startup policy.
• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Startup/Incubation vertical: India's largest industry chamber running entrepreneurship and innovation councils with policy advocacy and member programs. Comparable as a national industry body with incubation/startup verticals engaging government on innovation policy.

Others

• NITI Aayog - Atal Innovation Mission: Government flagship innovation and entrepreneurship program supporting Tinkering Labs, Atal Incubation Centres, and startup policy. Comparable as policy/program convener for incubation; ISBA is a strategic partner rather than competitor.
• Startup India (DPIIT): Government flagship initiative catalyzing India's startup ecosystem with policy advocacy, recognition, and programs. Comparable ecosystem-shaping role but as a government platform rather than member-funded non-profit.

Direct peers

• Indian Angel Network: India's first angel network, with member-driven model supporting early-stage funding and connecting with incubators. Comparable non-profit ecosystem aggregator with subscription membership, conferences, and policy interaction for start-up investors.
• InBIA (International Business Innovation Association): US-based global non-profit membership association for business incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs. Closest international peer to ISBA with similar member-driven model, training programs, conferences, and policy advocacy for incubators.
• Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA): India's industry body for VC and PE investors with membership-driven model, conferences, policy advocacy, and government engagement. Highly comparable as a non-profit association serving the early-stage investment ecosystem that ISBA's TBIs feed into.
• Asian Association of Business Incubation (AABI): Asian regional association of business incubation organizations offering cross-border knowledge exchange, awards, and international linkages. Comparable regional apex body - ISBA is an AABI member and parallels its membership/advocacy model.

Regional players

• Wadhwani Foundation (Entrepreneurship): Non-profit running entrepreneur support programs, accelerator networks, and capacity building. Comparable as a capacity-building platform serving Indian founders/incubator managers, but with global footprint and central-funded (NEN legacy) model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/isba_org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ISBAorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/isbaorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isbaorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/isbaorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Indian STEPs and Business Incubators Association