Established Incubation Center
The HEI must have an operational incubation center that has been active for at least three years.
About the award
INEX Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Award for Promoting and Incubating Innovators/Startups
The INEX HEIs Award recognizes outstanding higher education institutions that excel in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting startups and innovators. This award celebrates HEIs that provide exceptional incubation, funding, mentorship, and industry collaboration to empower the next generation of innovators.
2027 edition
The call is open for the 2027 edition.
Applications are not being accepted for 2026. Key dates will be announced here.
Register your interest
Eligibility
Criteria for Evaluation
To be featured on the INEX website and considered for the INEX HEIs Award, institutions must meet the following base criteria:
Number of Startups Incubated
The incubation center must have successfully incubated at least 10 startups over the past three years.
Funding and Support
The HEI must offer substantial financial and non-financial support to startups.
Collaboration with Industry
The HEI should demonstrate strong partnerships with industry stakeholders.
Success Stories
The HEI must have at least two success stories where startups have achieved significant milestones.
Scoring
INEX Award Evaluation Criteria
The award evaluation is based on a weighted scoring system that considers various aspects of the HEI's impact on the startup ecosystem. Below is the breakdown of the evaluation criteria:
Impact on Startup Ecosystem
30%Sub-criteria and points
- Number of Startups (10%)
- Quality of Startups (20%): Revenue generated (10 points), IPR (5 points), Successful grants/funding (5 points)
Examples of proofs
Support Infrastructure and Resources
25%Sub-criteria and points
- Funding Provided (10%)
- Mentorship and Guidance (10%): Availability and quality of mentorship programs (5 points), Number of mentors (5 points)
- Facilities and Resources (5%)
Examples of proofs
Collaboration and Networking
20%Sub-criteria and points
- Industry Partnerships (10%)
- Events and Programs (10%): Number and impact of events (5 points), Feedback from participants (5 points)
Examples of proofs
Innovation and Research Output
15%Sub-criteria and points
- Patents and Intellectual Property (10%)
- Research Publications (5%)
Examples of proofs
Societal and Economic Impact
10%Sub-criteria and points
- Job Creation (5%)
- Social Impact (5%)
Examples of proofs
Key dates
INEX HEI Awards Timeline 2027
Exact dates to be announced.
- Step 1 Application Start To be announced
- Step 2 Application Deadline To be announced
- Step 3 Committee Evaluation To be announced
- Step 4 Result Announcement To be announced
- Step 5 Award Facilitation To be announced
INEX Success Stories
Manishka Dubey, a 10 year old Young innovator from Dehradun got media coverage via Goa News Hub and also participated in International Innovation Expo organized by Govt of Thailand with support from IBS Global. She won gold there also and now is running her training programs for young women innovators. IBS Global is also mentoring her free of cost.
Ms Manishka Dubey
Young Innovator, Rajasthan, India
INEX Success Stories
Mr Lohit, An innovator from Karnataka received gold medal in INEX which added value to his resume and got a job in Innovation Ecosystem in Karnataka "Inunity".
Mr. Lohit
Innovators from Karnataka, India