Who can apply to EIS?

EIS accepts students from Grade 2 through graduate school. Phase I (Explorer) is for Grades 2–5, Phase II (Builder) for Grades 6–9, Phase III (Micro-Agency) for Grades 10–12, and Phase IV (Deep Tech) for university students.

Do I need coding or technical experience to apply?

No prior experience required for Phase I and II. We're looking for curiosity and a builder mindset, not pre-existing skills. What matters most is: Have you tried to build something on your own? Do you get excited about solving problems?

How do I apply to EIS Foundation?

The application process has three steps: (1) Fill out the online application on our Apply page — tell us about yourself and what you've built. (2) Our team reviews applications within 2–3 weeks. (3) Selected applicants have a brief welcome call with an EIS team member. There's no entrance test, no fee, and no correct answers.

What is the purpose of the EIS entrepreneurship cohort?

The cohort brings together students genuinely interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and building meaningful ventures. It provides mentorship, idea validation support, team building, pitch guidance, and incubation pathways.

Should I build something I personally like, or solve a market gap?

A business is not built only around personal preference. A venture usually begins with identifying a real market gap, a painful customer problem, and a better solution than current alternatives. Then ask: Can I solve this effectively?

Can I start an EIS chapter at my school?

Yes! To start a chapter, you need at least 5 interested students, a faculty advisor willing to support the chapter, and some space for activities. Visit the Chapters page to learn about the Campus Ambassador program.

How is EIS different from other coding or entrepreneurship programs?

EIS is problem-first, not curriculum-first. You identify real problems and learn what you need to solve them. Every project aims for real users, mentors engage over months, and promising ventures get direct connections to TBIs and investors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: Is EIS Foundation really free?

Yes, 100% free. EIS Foundation is a registered non-profit. We do not charge membership fees, tuition, or any hidden costs. Your only investment is your time and commitment.

Q: Who owns the intellectual property of what I build at EIS?

You do. Products, code, designs, and innovations you develop as an EIS member remain your intellectual property. EIS Foundation does not claim ownership of member-created works.

Q: Can the cohort help me find co-founders or collaborators?

Yes. The cohort aims to increase meaningful collisions between students from diverse domains so members can discover potential co-founders, technical collaborators, business partners, and early team members.

Everything you need to know about EIS Foundation, membership, programs, and how to get started.

General Membership Programs Application Technical Cohort

General Questions

EIS Foundation is India's non-profit deep-tech entrepreneurship society, registered as a Section 8 Company. We transform technically curious students into capable founders through hands-on building, mentorship, and market exposure. Unlike typical courses or clubs, EIS measures success by what members build, ship, and impact — not by test scores or certificates.

Yes, 100% free. EIS Foundation is a registered non-profit. We do not charge membership fees, tuition, or any hidden costs. Our operations are funded through institutional partnerships, CSR contributions, and revenue from products built by our community. Your only investment is your time and commitment.

Several key differences:

Problem-First, Not Curriculum-First: We don't teach pre-defined syllabi. You identify real problems and learn what you need to solve them.
Ship Real Products: Every project aims for real users, not just demonstrations.
The Unlimited Pantry: Unrestricted access to hardware, tools, and resources.
Long-term Mentorship: Mentors engage over months, not hours.
Startup Pipeline: Direct connections to TBIs and investors for promising ventures.

EIS operates through a network of 50+ chapters across India, plus a strong online presence. While our registered office is in [City], we have chapters in schools, colleges, and universities nationwide. Many programs and mentorship sessions happen online, making EIS accessible regardless of your location.

Membership & Eligibility

EIS accepts students from Grade 2 through graduate school. Eligibility varies by phase:

Phase I (Explorer): Grades 2–5
Phase II (Builder): Grades 6–9
Phase III (Micro-Agency): Grades 10–12
Phase IV (Deep Tech): University students

You must be currently enrolled in a recognized educational institution. There are no grade requirements or entrance exam scores — we look for builders, not test-takers.

No prior experience required for Phase I and II. We're looking for curiosity and a builder mindset, not pre-existing skills. For Phase III and IV, some technical foundation is expected (which you'd typically gain through Phase II or equivalent self-learning). What matters most is: Have you tried to build something on your own? Do you get excited about solving problems?

We use the "Zayyan Model" — actively seeking builders who may not be the loudest in the room. We look for:

Evidence of unsupervised creation (built something without being told to)

Curiosity over credentials (questions you ask matter more than grades)

Problem identification (can you articulate a real problem you've observed?)

Persistence (did you finish the project, or just start it?)

Absolutely. Some of our most impactful members are introverts who prefer building in quiet corners to speaking on stages. We actively seek out "quiet builders" — students who might not raise their hands in class but have built working robots at home. EIS values what you create, not how loudly you talk about it. Our application process is designed to surface capability, not charisma.

Yes, if you're under 18. During the application process, we'll collect parent/guardian contact information and request their consent before you can fully participate in programs. Parents will receive information about EIS, the activities involved, and will need to sign a consent form. We take this seriously — the safety and wellbeing of our young members is paramount.

Programs & Learning

The Explorer (Grades 2-5)

Building mechanical intuition through play. Block-based programming, simple robotics, physical construction.

The Builder (Grades 6-9)

Technical skill development. Arduino, Python, CAD, 3D printing. Functional prototypes that solve real problems.

III

The Micro-Agency (Grades 10-12)

Commercial application. Running client-facing ventures, AI tools, automation services. Real revenue, real accountability.

The Deep Tech Researcher (University)

Multi-year research. Propulsion systems, medical devices, B2B AI. Investable ventures through TBI pipeline.

Time commitment varies by phase and your project intensity:

Phase I: 2-4 hours/week (weekend sessions)
Phase II: 4-6 hours/week (sessions + project work)
Phase III: 6-10 hours/week (client work + skill building)
Phase IV: 10-15+ hours/week (research commitment)

This is flexible — we understand you have school. The key is consistent progress, not rigid schedules.

It's our philosophy of resource access. Traditional labs operate on scarcity — sign-out sheets, locked cabinets, fear of breaking things. EIS operates on abundance. When you can freely grab an Arduino, sensors, and motors without asking permission, experimentation becomes instinctive. The psychological barrier between "I have an idea" and "Let me try it" disappears. Yes, this means components sometimes get broken. That's the cost of creating builders who aren't afraid to experiment.

Both. We use a hybrid model:

Chapter-based activities: In-person at your local school/college chapter
Mentorship sessions: Primarily online (making experts accessible nationwide)
Workshops & bootcamps: Mix of online and regional in-person events
Conclaves: Major in-person gatherings (1-2 per year)

If there's no chapter at your school, you can participate primarily online or help start one!

Yes, we provide certificates for program completion and specific achievements. But here's our honest take: the portfolio of what you've built is worth 100x more than any certificate. When you can show a working product, real users, or actual revenue — that speaks louder than any piece of paper. Colleges and employers increasingly care about demonstrated capability, not credential collection.

Application Process

The application process has three steps:

Online Application: Fill out the form on our Apply page. Tell us about yourself, what you've built (if anything), and what problems interest you.
Review: Our team reviews applications within 2-3 weeks. We may reach out for clarification.
Welcome Call: Selected applicants have a brief call with an EIS team member to discuss goals and next steps.

There's no entrance test, no fee, and no "correct" answers. Just be authentic.

We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, but we have two main cohort intakes: Summer Cohort (applications close May 31) and Winter Cohort (applications close November 30). Applying early doesn't give you an advantage — we review all applications fairly. Check our website or social media for current application status.

We don't publish specific acceptance rates as they vary by phase and cohort. What we can say: EIS is selective, but not in the traditional sense. We're not looking for perfect grades or impressive resumes. We're looking for the spark of a builder — evidence that you've tried to create something, even if it failed. A student who failed their board exams but built a functional drone at home is a far stronger candidate than a 95% average student who has never built anything outside of school assignments.

Yes, absolutely. You can reapply after 6 months. Our advice: use that time to build something. The best thing you can add to your reapplication isn't another certificate or achievement — it's evidence that you went and created something on your own. Start a project, document it, and come back. Many of our current members were initially rejected and came back stronger.

Technical & Resources

For most activities, you need:

A computer or laptop (Windows, Mac, or Linux — even a Chromebook works for many activities)
Reliable internet connection for online sessions
That's it for getting started!

For hardware projects, EIS provides access to components through chapter labs and the Unlimited Pantry. You don't need to buy Arduinos, sensors, or 3D printers — we've got you covered.

You do. Products, code, designs, and innovations you develop as an EIS member remain your intellectual property. EIS Foundation does not claim ownership of member-created works. We do ask for permission to showcase your work (with credit) for promotional and educational purposes. If your project becomes a commercial venture, it's 100% yours to own and run.

When an EIS product demonstrates real market potential:

Our team identifies ventures with traction (users, revenue, or clear market demand)
We connect you with our partner TBIs (Technology Business Incubators) for incubation support
EIS provides legal support for company registration, IP filing, and compliance
We facilitate warm introductions to angel investors and early-stage VCs in our network
You get ongoing mentorship from founders and industry experts

EIS doesn't take equity in your startup. We're a non-profit — our success metric is your success, not financial returns.

Yes! We're always looking to expand. To start a chapter, you need: (1) at least 5 interested students, (2) a faculty advisor willing to support the chapter, (3) some space for activities (even a small room works). Visit our Chapters page to learn about the Campus Ambassador program and chapter application process.

We work with schools, colleges, universities, and corporate partners. Partnership options include: hosting an EIS chapter, sponsoring programs, providing mentors from your organization, CSR funding, or collaborative research projects. If you're an institutional representative, please visit our Partners page or email partnerships@eisfoundation.com.

Entrepreneurship Cohort

The cohort brings together students who are genuinely interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, startups, and building meaningful ventures. Specifically, it aims to:

Build a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem within the institute
Create a space for like-minded students to connect and collaborate
Help students understand entrepreneurship in a structured, practical way
Support idea validation, team building, business thinking, and execution
Provide access to mentorship, incubation pathways, and relevant opportunities

This is a sincere effort to support serious students — not hype, not false promises.

No startup idea required. The cohort is for:

Students who want to start a venture someday
Students already building something
Students who are curious but unsure where to begin
Students who want to become valuable contributors to startups
Students looking for mentors, collaborators, or co-founders
Students with zero prior entrepreneurship experience but strong intent to learn

The first step is clarity — not pretending to have a billion-dollar idea.

Absolutely not. Many people begin their entrepreneurial journeys much later in life. If you're exploring this while in college, you are early — not late. The cohort is built for students starting from zero as well as those already active. Unlearning myths and learning correctly from the beginning is a genuine advantage.

The primary expectation is simple: invest time and effort sincerely. That means:

Stay active and engage with shared material
Ask thoughtful questions and participate in discussions
Challenge ideas respectfully
Apply what you learn and show proof of effort through action

The more serious your participation, the deeper the support you are likely to receive. Support is merit-based, not entitlement-based.

A business is not built only around personal preference. If you build something purely because you enjoy making it, that may be a hobby. A venture usually begins with identifying:

A real market gap or painful customer problem
Frustration people are already experiencing
A better solution than current alternatives

Then ask: Can I solve this effectively?

No. Perfectionism delays learning. Many founders spend too much time refining products nobody urgently wants. Instead: solve a real problem first, get feedback early, improve based on customer response, and capture the right timing. Even leading companies continuously improve after launch. Markets reward relevance more than perfection.

This is very common among engineering students. To build ventures, you need to learn the basics of both sides:

Customer understanding & market validation

Pricing logic, sales thinking & unit economics

Communication, negotiation & positioning

Financial literacy & basic legal awareness

Great products alone do not automatically become great businesses.

If your idea solves a real, urgent problem, start validating it while in college. Use these years to:

Test assumptions and build prototypes
Talk to real users and build your network
Learn execution and find co-founders

Go full-time when validation and conviction become strong enough. College provides a uniquely low-risk environment to experiment.

Funding is often over-romanticised. Good ventures should first chase customers — not investors. Build something with real demand, strong differentiation, credible execution, and scalable potential — then capital becomes easier to attract. Money alone does not create successful businesses.

Yes. One of the biggest barriers in entrepreneurship is finding the right people. The cohort aims to increase meaningful collisions between students from diverse domains, so members can discover potential co-founders, technical collaborators, business partners, and early team members. Stay active and visible in the community.

Support pathways available include:

Early mentoring and company formation guidance
Legal and statutory navigation (company registration, compliance)
DPIIT-related guidance for startup recognition
Incubation support and funding opportunities

Support is contingent on the maturity and seriousness of the venture and prevailing institutional policies.

Avoid becoming a "startup spectator." If someone only copies what successful startups are doing without understanding fundamentals, it becomes imitation — not entrepreneurship. Build substance, not image. The goal is not to look entrepreneurial. The goal is to become capable through real effort and intelligent attempts, even if some of them fail.

Still have questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? Reach out to our team and we'll get back to you within 48 hours.

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