Investor Profile: Technology Development Board — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

If you are building deep tech in India and patient capital feels out of reach, Technology Development Board funding may be the answer. The Technology Development Board (TDB) is a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology that finances the development and commercialisation of indigenous technologies. In February 2026 it launched its first open call under the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, offering collateral-free loans at 2 to 4 per cent interest for up to 15 years.

Investment thesis

TDB bridges the gap between laboratory research and market-ready products. Its mandate: financial assistance to Indian industrial concerns developing and commercially applying indigenous technology, or adapting imported technology for wider domestic use. It deliberately backs new ideas from small enterprises even at the risk of failure, and wants competitive consumer products, industry product innovation, and socially relevant, profitable technologies to reach Indian buyers, stepping in where strategic intervention is needed.

Sectors and stages

TDB is sector-agnostic but leans into deep tech and strategic sectors. The first RDI call targets projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above. The first cohort of 22 projects spans reusable launch vehicles, earth observation satellites, quantum-secure communication, Indian chip design, drones, robotics and next-generation batteries. Earlier TDB support has gone to sodium-ion battery materials, high-pressure hydrogen storage, multi-gas sensing platforms and 3D-printed medical implants.

Fund size and cheque size

As a statutory body, TDB has no publicly disclosed fund size of its own. It now operates as a Second-Level Fund Manager (SLFM) under the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, with the Department of Science and Technology as the nodal ministry. Under the first RDI call, funding can cover up to 50 per cent of total project cost through loans, equity or hybrid instruments, with matching contributions from the company or private investors. Note the RDI window provides no grants.

Notable portfolio companies

Recent TDB-backed projects show the range. Multi Nano Sense Technologies of Nagpur signed for ₹37.51 crore in RDI support to build an indigenous multi-gas sensing platform. TIEA Connectors of Bengaluru received Rs 3.81 crore out of a Rs 8.19 crore project to commercialise micro-electronic harsh-environment connectors. Gudlyf Mobility of Madurai is developing high-pressure composite hydrogen storage vessels. Ceramat of Palghar is commercialising 3D-printed, patient-specific bone grafts. Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies of Roorkee is working on bio-waste-derived hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries.

Key people

The board is led by Secretary Rajesh Pathak. The first RDI open call was launched by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on 4 February 2026.

Programs run

The flagship is the RDI Fund open-call framework: long-term, affordable, collateral-free financing with no personal or corporate guarantees and moratorium provisions. The first call drew nearly 191 proposals, mostly from the private sector. TDB also signs project-specific assistance agreements directly with companies.

How to apply for funding

Founders should watch for open calls on the TDB website; funding flows through Second-Level Fund Managers. Proposals are evaluated on scientific, technological, financial and commercial merit within defined timelines. Ensure your technology is at TRL-4 or above and that you can arrange matching capital, since TDB funds at most 50 per cent of project cost.