Eligibility
Do I have to be an MIT India student to apply?
No. Edugild is MIT India's initiative, but it is open to every student in
India. You can be from any college, university or school. Your institution does not decide whether
you're eligible - your idea does.
Can I apply if I don't have a team?
Yes. Solo founders are welcome. We've backed plenty of one-person teams and have helped them
recruit co-founders during the sprint when needed.
I've already graduated. Am I still eligible?
If you graduated ,yes. We also occasionally make exceptions for
alumni building something born out of their student years - reach out.
Do I need a prototype to apply?
No. We fund at the idea stage. We care about the clarity of the problem you're solving and
why you are the right person to solve it - not about how polished your demo is.
Funding & equity
Does Edugild take equity?
Earliest-stage grants are non-dilutive. Larger micro-investments may be structured as a
small equity stake or a convertible note - capped at a founder-friendly level. Terms are shared in writing
before any commitment.
Is there any cost to apply or participate?
No. There is no application fee, no program fee and no hidden cost to be part of Edugild.
Program & mentorship
Is the program in-person or remote?
Hybrid. Some activities happen at MIT India campuses (workspace, labs, demo day). Most
mentor sessions and sprints run remotely so students from anywhere in India can participate.
Who are the mentors?
A mix of founders, senior operators, investors and faculty from MIT India and beyond. See
the full list on our
Mentors page.
Will I have to drop out of college?
No. The program is designed to be compatible with ongoing studies, with most work happening
on evenings and weekends during the sprint. A few teams do take a gap year - that is a personal decision, not
a requirement.
Application process
Can I reapply if I'm rejected?
Yes, and we encourage it. Many of our best teams got in on their second or third application
after sharpening their idea.
Do you have intake windows, or can I apply any time?
Applications are rolling. We run cohorts multiple times a year - the earlier you apply, the
sooner you can start.
Mentors & partners
I'd like to become a mentor. How?
I'd like to partner with Edugild as a company or investor. How?
Reach out via the
contact page with "Partnership" in the subject.
We respond within 5 working days.