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Wall of ideas

Incubation

Incubation

The Incubation Program at Hatchlab Research Centre is a comprehensive, founder-first initiative designed to support early-stage startups in transforming validated ideas into scalable, investment-ready ventures.

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With access to expert mentorship, infrastructure, funding networks, and go-to-market strategies, our program provides everything entrepreneurs need to accelerate their growth and build a strong foundation for long-term success.

CatalytiX

Phase 0 - Venture Registration & Onboarding

Objective

To officially onboard the selected ventures into the incubation program, initiate the company formation process, and prepare them for structured incubation support.

Support formal venture incorporation (e.g., Pvt Ltd, LLP) with legal guidance.

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Onboard ventures into the incubation system with agreements and progress templates.

Familiarize startups with Hatchlab Research Center processes, mentors, resources, and expectations.

Assign domain-specific mentors and finalize initial milestone plans.

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Establish regular review checkpoints for tracking startup growth and compliance.

Phase 0: Activity Plan

1. Orientation & Incubation Agreement

2. Legal & Financial Structuring

3. Digital Compliance & Tools Setup

4. Team Formation & Vision Alignment

5. Milestone Planning & Roadmap Submission

Outcomes at End of Onboarding

• Signed Incubation Agreement with HRC
• Registered Startup or initiated registration process (Name reserved, documents submitted)
• DPIIT/Startup India profile created
• Company branding basics completed (email, logo, domain if needed)
• Internal team structure and milestone plan finalized
• Ready for next phase: Prototype Development

Phase 1: Product Garage: Prototype & MVP Design Program

Objective

Enable each venture to build a working prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that demonstrates the core functionality and value proposition of their solution.

Finalize and freeze the core features of the startup’s product or solution.

Build a functional prototype or MVP that reflects the primary value proposition.

Facilitate access to necessary technical infrastructure and expert mentorship.

Conduct early-stage validation through testing and iterative development.

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Enable ventures to apply for prototyping grants with supporting technical documentation.

Phase 1: Activity Plan

1. Technical Mentorship & Planning​
a. Requirement Assessment
b. Resource Allocation

2. Prototype Building

a. Hardware Startups​

b. Software Startups

c. Low-Cost Prototyping Options​

3. Validation & Feedback Loop
a. Internal Testing
b. Stakeholder Feedback
c. Iteration & Refinement

4. Financial & Logistical Support

5. Documentation & Reporting

Outcome by End of Prototype & MVP Design Program

  • A functional prototype or MVP ready for user testing or pilot

  • Documented tech stack and architecture

  • Clear development roadmap for future iterations

  • Validation feedback from at least 2 stakeholders/mentors

Phase 2: Innovation Audit: TRL & Product Validation Track

Objective

Evaluate and guide each venture’s technology development through TRL benchmarks, ensuring technical soundness, feasibility, and readiness for deployment or scaling.

Introduce ventures to the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) framework and benchmarks

Conduct diagnostic assessments to determine the current TRL stage of each startup.

Help ventures identify gaps and requirements to progress to higher TRL levels.

Facilitate lab-based validation, expert reviews, and real-world performance benchmarking.

Guide ventures toward grant schemes aligned with their TRL achievements (e.g., MeitY GENESIS).

Phase 2: Activity Plan

1. Understanding TRL (Technology Readiness Levels)​

2. TRL Assessment Workshops

a. Diagnostic Workshops​

b. TRL Gap Identification​

3. Mentorship for Advancing TRL
a. Technical Deep Dives
b. Access to Labs/Simulations
c. External Expert Validation

4. Technology Review Panel (TRP)

5. Documentation & Evidence Submission

6. TRL-Based Funding Recommendations

Outcome by End of TRL & Product Validation

  • Clear documentation of current TRL level

  • Verified prototype/system performance by mentors or labs

  • A structured tech enhancement roadmap to reach higher TRL

  • Readiness for pilot testing or early market entry

Phase 3: Lab to Launch: Startup Graduation Track

Objective

Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of each startup’s journey, solidify investor/funder readiness, and prepare them for Demo Day pitching to attract grants, funding, and strategic support.

Evaluate venture progress based on milestones, validation, and business metrics.

Prepare startups for a successful product launch (go-to-market, marketing, support).

Ensure investor- and grant-readiness with polished decks, models, and documentation.

Showcase ventures to ecosystem stakeholders for funding, partnerships, or pilots.

Create a scale-up roadmap and transition plan for post-incubation acceleration.

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Phase 3: Activity Plan

1. Final Progress Review

a. Internal Evaluation
b. Documentation Submission
c. Mentor Feedback

2. Product Launch Preparation

a. Launch Strategy Sessions
b. Marketing & Collateral Development

3. Scoring Criteria & Evaluation Rubric

4. Recognition & Post-Launch Opportunities
a. Awards & Recognition
b. Funding/Grant Referrals
c. Next-Step Planning

Outcome by End of Startup Graduation

  • Investor‑ and customer‑ready product launch plan executed

  • Verified documentation for funding/grant applications

  • Visibility with key stakeholders and early adopters

  • Roadmap for scale‑up and market expansion

Phase 4: Startup Vault: Strategy | Fit | Finance

Objective

​Provide strategic mentorship, achieve product‑market fitness, and prepare ventures for pitching to investors, grant committees, and customers.

Provide strategic one-on-one mentorship across business, tech, legal, and funding domains.

Enable ventures to validate product-market fit through user feedback and pilots.

Build investor-readiness through pitch refinement and financial model development.

Identify and map relevant funding sources (grants, CSR, angels, etc.) for each startup.

Conduct mock pitch reviews to assess fundraising preparedness and refine storytelling.

Phase 4: Activity Plan

1. Strategic Mentorship Framework

a. Monthly One-on-One Mentor Clinics
b. Group Masterclasses & Workshops
c. Mentor-Mentee Matching Platform

2. Market Fit Validation

a. Customer Discovery Sprint
b. Pilot Deployments / Beta Testing
c. Customer Feedback Loops

3. Funding Readiness Support

a. Pitch Readiness Bootcamp
b. Financial Model & Projections
c. Grant & Investor Mapping​

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4. Pitch Review & Mock Panel

Outcome by End of Startup Graduation

  • Validated Product‑Market Fit (PMF)

  • Investor‑ready pitch deck and financial model

  • Due diligence documents compiled

  • Short list of applicable grants or investors

  • Mentors assigned for next‑stage scaling or pilot deployments

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