SJCE Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park

What SJCE Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park does

SJCE Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (SJCE-STEP) is a non-profit technology business incubator founded in 1988 on the campus of JSS Science & Technology University in Mysuru, Karnataka, India. It was established with founding support from the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and IDBI, and operates under quasi-governmental governance as one of India's longest-running STEPs, with over 35 years of continuous operation and more than 150 portfolio startups incubated. The organization serves early-stage deep-tech founders and growth-stage startups primarily across 15+ technology sectors including SaaS, CleanTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and enterprise technology, offering structured programs that take equity stakes (2-5% for incubation; 3-7% for acceleration) in exchange for seed capital, workspace, mentorship, and investor access.

The core service portfolio comprises three programs: a 12-month Flagship Incubation Program providing up to ₹25L in seed capital, a 6-month Growth Acceleration Program offering up to ₹50L for Series A preparation, and a 3-6 month Expert Mentorship Clinic connecting founders with 200+ mentors across 15+ domains. Underlying technical infrastructure includes a NIDHI Prayas certified 5,000+ sq ft makerspace with 50+ prototyping tools (3D printers, laser cutters, wire EDM), Advanced AI/ML server processing nodes, ₹10L+ in cloud compute credits, and a 10,000 sq ft workspace accessible 24/7. Supporting digital modules include a Learning Portal (courses) and a Job Portal connecting talent with portfolio startups.

The business model is equity-based rather than fee-based: SJCE-STEP takes milestone-released equity stakes in exchange for capital, mentorship, and infrastructure, supplemented by government grant facilitation through the NIDHI initiative under DST and ecosystem revenues. Distribution is anchored in the JSS STU campus, a four-phase cohort admissions funnel, and a network of 50+ investor partners, 30+ Fortune 500 corporate partners, 20+ academic partners, and affiliations with Startup India, NASSCOM, TiE Mysuru, AIM, and Startup Karnataka. Reported outcomes include a 92% portfolio startup survival rate, ₹100Cr+ facilitated for graduates, ₹200Cr+ Series A raised by acceleration alumni, and 3,000+ tech jobs created, though no revenue or financial disclosures are publicly available.

Name

SJCE Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park

Legal name

Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP) at JSS Science & Technology University

Website

https://sjcestep.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SJCE Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (SJCE-STEP) is a non-profit university-affiliated technology business incubator in Mysuru, India, founded in 1988. It serves early-stage and growth-stage deep-tech startups through structured 12-month incubation, 6-month acceleration, and mentorship programs, taking equity stakes in exchange for seed capital, R&D infrastructure, and investor access.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mysuru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Incubation Program Fees & Equity: Incubation program takes 2-5% equity stake in early-stage startups in exchange for 12-month comprehensive support including seed capital up to ₹25L, mentorship, workspace, and legal support. Equity released milestone-based.
2. Acceleration Program Equity: Growth acceleration program takes 3-7% equity stake for 6-month intensive scaling support including funding up to ₹50L, strategic partnerships, investor connections, and Demo Day access.
3. NIDHI PRAYAS Government Grants: Partnership with Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India provides government-backed support to transform innovative ideas into market-ready prototypes. Grants facilitated through NIDHI initiative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SJCE-STEP is a non-profit technology business incubator that supports early-stage and growth-stage technology startups through structured incubation and acceleration programs. It provides seed capital, expert mentorship, R&D lab access, a NIDHI Prayas certified makerspace, and connections to a network of investors and corporate partners. The organization operates from Mysuru, Karnataka, hosted within JSS Science & Technology University and supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and IDBI.

Product overview

SJCE-STEP operates as a premium startup incubator and accelerator offering a unified platform of interconnected programs. The core portfolio consists of three structured pathways: the 12-month Flagship Incubation Program for early-stage ventures (providing seed capital up to ₹25L), the 6-month Growth Acceleration Program for traction-stage startups (offering up to ₹50L for Series A readiness), and the 3-6 month Expert Mentorship Clinic for founders at any stage seeking specialized guidance. These programs are augmented by technical infrastructure including R&D Labs with AI/ML processing nodes and cloud credits (₹10L+), and a NIDHI Prayas Certified 5000+ sq ft makerspace with 50+ prototyping tools. Supporting modules include a Learning Portal for upskilling content and a Job Portal connecting talent with portfolio startups. The ecosystem integrates 200+ mentors, 50+ investor partners, and direct connections to government programs (NIDHI PRAYAS, DST).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NIDHI PRAYAS: Government-backed prototyping support program under National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations, in association with Department of Science & Technology, Government of India
• Flagship Incubation Program
• Growth Acceleration Program
• Expert Mentorship Clinic

Products and services

• Flagship Incubation Program A structured 12-month incubation program for early-stage technology startups providing seed capital of up to ₹25 lakh, workspace, expert mentorship, and access to R&D lab facilities and the partner network.
• Growth Acceleration Program A six-month acceleration track for growth-stage startups providing funding up to ₹50 lakh, advanced mentorship, investor introductions, and corporate partner access to help companies scale.
• Expert Mentorship Clinic A 3-6 month expert mentorship engagement delivered in cohort form, pairing selected startups with domain specialists for targeted guidance on product, technology, and go-to-market challenges.
• R&D Labs and Technical Support In-house R&D laboratory infrastructure and technical support services available to incubated startups for product prototyping, testing, and engineering work.
• NIDHI Prayas Certified Makerspace A 5000+ sq ft NIDHI Prayas certified makerspace equipped with prototyping tools and equipment, offered to hardware and deep-tech startups for building, testing, and iterating physical prototypes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% startup survival rate exceeding industry standards
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Startup IndiaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNational startup initiative partnership providing recognition, network access, and cohort promotion. SJCE-STEP recognized as Best Incubator 2023 by Startup India.
• CII (Confederation of Indian Industry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry body partnership providing corporate connection opportunities and industry collaboration for portfolio startups.
• NASSCOMcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology industry association partnership offering tech ecosystem connections and promotional support for startups.
• TiE MysurucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEntrepreneurship network chapter providing mentorship, networking events, and investor connections for portfolio startups.
• National Innovation FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational innovation body providing support for grassroots innovations and connecting them to incubation resources.
• JSS (Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Institutions)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent educational institution providing campus infrastructure, academic expertise, and research collaboration for startups at JSS Science & Technology University.
• 30+ Corporate Partners (Fortune 500)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with Fortune 500 corporations providing enterprise pilot tracks, corporate sponsorships, technical integrations, and early commercial pilots for incubated startups.
• 20+ Academic Partners (Global Research Universities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch university partnerships providing technical expertise, R&D collaboration, and talent pipeline for deep-tech startups.
• Make in IndiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment initiative partnership supporting domestic manufacturing and innovation through promotional alignment.
• Startup KarnatakacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState-level startup ecosystem initiative providing regional network access and Karnataka-specific startup support.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KIIT-TBI (Bhubaneswar): KIIT Technology Business Incubator is a university-based deep-tech incubator with government backing and structured equity programs. Comparable as a regional academic incubator focused on technology entrepreneurship.
• CIIE.CO (IIM Ahmedabad): CIIE.CO is IIM Ahmedabad's innovation and entrepreneurship center operating structured accelerator programs with seed/Series A capital. Comparable as an academic-affiliated accelerator with equity-based programs and corporate partnerships.
• IIT Madras Incubation Cell: IIT Madras Incubation Cell is one of India's most prominent university-based incubators supporting deep-tech and hardware startups with significant infrastructure and equity investment. Comparable in deep-tech specialization, university affiliation, and government-backed funding access.
• NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore): NSRCEL is IIM Bangalore's startup incubator and accelerator offering structured programs for early-stage ventures with mentorship, capital, and corporate partnerships. Most direct comparable in Karnataka given similar academic affiliation and program structure.
• SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIT Bombay): SINE is IIT Bombay's technology business incubator offering seed funding, workspace, and mentorship to deep-tech and tech-enabled startups. Comparable as a university-affiliated incubator with deep-tech focus, structured cohorts, and government backing.
• IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP): IIMCIP is IIM Calcutta's startup incubation and innovation park operating accelerator programs and a startup fund. Comparable as an academic-affiliated incubator with structured cohort programs and corporate partnerships.
• T-Hub: T-Hub is India's largest startup incubator based in Hyderabad, operating structured incubation and acceleration programs with deep corporate and government partnerships. Directly comparable as a state-affiliated technology incubator offering multi-stage programs with seed capital and ecosystem access.
• Venture Center (Pune): Venture Center is a technology business incubator hosted at CSIR-NCL Pune with strong deep-tech and biotech focus, providing seed capital and infrastructure. Comparable as a deep-tech-focused, government-affiliated incubator offering equity-based programs.

Others

• Startup India / DPIIT: Startup India is the national flagship initiative of DPIIT providing recognition, funding access, and ecosystem support to incubators and startups. Comparable as the parent ecosystem framework under which SJCE-STEP operates and is recognized as Best Incubator 2023.

Broad incumbents

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): AIM is a Government of India flagship initiative establishing Atal Incubators across the country. Comparable as a national-level incubator network with which SJCE-STEP partners and against which it competes for deep-tech funding allocations.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sjcestepmysuru
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sjce-step

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 SJCE Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park