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Making Ideas Happen

Making Ideas Happen

Startups incubated

in valuation created

Patents filed

Hours of mentorship delivered

Mentors engaged

Grants and fellowships supported

Startups raised follow-on funding

Program to Accelerate Creation of Entrepreneurs

A 16-week, hands-on program by DERBI Foundation that helps early-stage
founders validate ideas, build prototypes, and become investor-ready.

Built by founders, for founders: PACE combines structure, mentorship,
and access to DERBI s powerful innovation ecosystem so you can go
from concept to confidence.

The Program Helps You

  • Validate your problem and market fit
  • Build your first proof of concept
  • Craft your final pitch and present on Pitch Day
  • Access labs, mentors, and grants within the DERBI ecosystem
  • Connect with founders, experts, and investors who’ve built and scaled before you

Start Building Your Investor-ready

Startup with Our 16-Week Program.

Designed for Founders Who Build, Not Just Dream

The PACE Edge

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Corporate validation from industry
experts and jurors

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Grant and funding linkages
post-validation

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Access to labs, testing facilities, and specialised infrastructure

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Real-world data partnerships for
pilots and PoC refinement

PACE doesn’t end with ideas; it ends with outcomes

A validated problem-solution fit
backed by real customer insights

A functioning Proof of Concept (PoC) with
expert feedback

A compelling investor pitch deck
and business model

Direct entry to DERBI’s GALLOP
incubation program

Lifelong access to mentors, labs,
and the DERBI Founder Tribe

Founders’ Voices

DERBI Foundation has been pivotal in shaping our journey. Their hands-on
mentorship, strategic insights, and technical expertise helped us refine our
solution, streamline prototype development, and prepare for real-world
deployment. The structured ecosystem, access to mentors and domain
experts, and consistent support accelerated our progress from concept to a
market-ready innovation.

Girish J
CEO & Founder, Zefender

Sectors

MedTech/
HealthTech

Wellness/
Sports Tech

Sustainability/

GreenTech

Space Tech

Eligibility

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Early-stage startups or individual founders with a clear problem statement

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At least one founder available full-time during the 16-week program

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Open across India (hybrid participation from Bengaluru encouraged)

Get the Structure, Mentorship, and

Access Every Early Founder Needs.

Grow Beyond PACE

 PACE is the beginning of your DERBI founder journey.

Associated Funding Schemes

Program Partners

Ready to Validate, Build, and Pitch?

Join PACE Now.

ABOUT US

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

GOVERNING COUNCIL

TEAM

MENTORS

PACE

GALLOP

EMERGE

BIONEST

NIDHI EiR

NIDHI PRAYAS

MeitY Tide 2.0

NIDHI SSS

SISFS