Entrepreneurship-in-Residence (EiR) Programme in Housing & Construction:  Click Here 

Housing & Construction Innovation – Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme

Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme

Housing &
Construction
Innovation

The Housing & Construction Innovation - Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) Programme supports early-stage entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges across the housing and construction ecosystem.

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Innovation for Impact

Supporting solutions for better, affordable and sustainable housing.

Programme Partners
Habitat for Humanity International
Kerala Startup Mission

Building Solutions
for the Future

The Housing & Construction Innovation - Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) Programme is an initiative of IIT Palakkad Technology IHub Foundation (IPTIF), in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International – TCIS and Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).

The programme supports early-stage entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges across the housing and construction ecosystem.

It focuses on solutions that make housing and construction more affordable, sustainable, efficient, resilient and accessible, with particular relevance to real housing needs and communities.

Entrepreneurs receive technical and business mentoring, customer and market validation, prototyping support, academic and industry connections, and opportunities for real-world testing.

The programme aims to help promising ventures progress from early-stage concepts and Proof of Concepts (PoCs) towards prototypes, pilots and market readiness.

Programme Support & Benefits

01

EiR Stipend

Financial support during the programme, as per applicable programme guidelines and conditions.

02

Innovation & Prototyping Grant

Financial assistance for eligible product development, prototyping, testing and validation, subject to approval.

03

Mentoring & Expert Support

Access to technical, domain, business and entrepreneurial experts based on venture requirements.

04

IPTIF Facilities & Resources

Access to relevant labs, prototyping, testing and technical facilities through IPTIF and its ecosystem.

05

Academic & Industry Connect

Connections with IITs, academic institutions, industry experts, potential customers and pilot partners.

06

Ecosystem & Funding Access

Support in identifying grants, funding opportunities, partnerships and potential growth pathways.

07

Programme Reviews & Guidance

Regular milestone reviews and targeted guidance for technical, business and execution challenges.

Support is need-based and aligned with venture stage, milestones and programme requirements. Financial support, facility access and external opportunities are subject to eligibility, approvals, availability and applicable guidelines.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to early-stage entrepreneurs, startups and innovators developing a PoC, prototype or technology-based solution with a clear application in housing, construction or the built environment.

We particularly encourage solutions that address the needs of affordable, low-income and underserved housing markets.

Applicants should:

01

Be working on a solution beyond the idea stage, with evidence of technical development, research, PoC, prototype or equivalent progress.

02

Have a clear housing or construction use case and identified target users/customers.

03

Demonstrate potential for technical development, validation, piloting or market adoption.

04

Have the commitment and ability to actively work on the venture throughout the programme.

05

Be willing to work towards agreed milestones and participate actively in mentoring, reviews and programme activities.

Focus Areas

01

Digital Housing & Construction

PropTech, IoT, data-driven and digital technologies improving access, affordability, design, construction and management.

02

Thermal Comfort & Livability

Passive cooling, ventilation, insulation, indoor air quality, moisture and dampness control, and climate-responsive solutions, particularly for affordable and low-income housing.

03

Energy & Household Solutions

Energy efficiency, decentralised and off-grid energy, clean cooking and household innovations that reduce costs and improve energy access and resilience.

04

Water & Sanitation

Water purification, water management, sanitation, wastewater treatment and solutions for safe, affordable and reliable water and sanitation.

05

Sustainable & Climate-Resilient Housing & Construction

Low-carbon and affordable materials, innovative construction systems, circular construction, construction waste management, disaster resilience and climate-resilient construction and housing retrofits.

Priority Across All Focus Areas

Innovations that make housing more affordable, accessible, sustainable and climate-resilient, particularly for low-income and underserved communities, are strongly encouraged.

Ready to Build the Future of Housing?

Take your innovation from concept to prototype, pilot and market readiness.

APPLY NOW