MDI Acceleration cum Incubation Centre [MAC]

Where Ideas Become Ventures – A Section 8 (Not-for-Profit) Initiative by MDI Gurgaon

The MDI Acceleration cum Incubation Centre (MAC) is an initiative by MDI Gurgaon that bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world entrepreneurship. Operating under a Section 8 (Not-for-Profit) Company, the programme is designed with purpose - to create impact-driven, scalable ventures.

MAC operates on a distinctive 80:20 acceleration-to-incubation model. 80% of programme energy is invested in fast-tracking startup growth, sharpening the product, validating the market, and connecting founders with mentors and investors. The remaining 20% is dedicated to long-term incubation support for ventures requiring deeper structural development, IP management, or compliance structuring.

Whether you are a student with a prototype, a researcher with a breakthrough idea, or an early-stage founder ready to scale - MAC offers the infrastructure, network, and guidance to turn your vision into a fundable, market-ready venture, backed by the credibility and network of MDI Gurgaon.

The MAC 80:20 Advantage

80% High-Octane Acceleration

The core of our program is built for speed and market dominance. We dedicate the majority of our resources to fast-tracking your trajectory, focusing on:

  • Product Sharpening: Refining your offering for peak performance.
  • Market Validation: Stress-testing your model against real-world demands.
  • Strategic Networking: Opening doors to a premier ecosystem of mentors and Tier-1 investors.

20% Strategic Incubation

Long-term success requires more than speed; it requires a solid foundation. We reserve 20% of our focus for structural deep dives, providing bespoke support for:

  • IP Management: Protecting your most valuable intellectual assets.
  • Compliance Structuring: Navigating complex regulatory landscapes with ease.
  • Structural Development: Building the internal frameworks necessary for institutional scaling.
Key Highlights
  • Cohort-based programme with structured milestones
  • Registered as a Section-8 Not-for-Profit Company
  • Backed by MDI Gurgaon, a premier management institution
  • Network of 110+ mentors across industry verticals
  • Lab access via technical institutes and MDI Neuroscience Lab tie-ups
  • Phase-driven growth journey across three stages

To identify, nurture, and accelerate high-potential startups by providing structured mentorship, access to resources, and a robust ecosystem enabling founders to build ventures that are scalable, sustainable, and impactful.

MAC is structured into three progressive phases. The programme is currently focused on Phase 1 - Foundation & Launch, building the ecosystem and onboarding our inaugural cohort.

Phase 1 - Foundation & Launch (Active Now)

Establishing the core accelerator ecosystem - programmes, mentors, lab access, and cohort infrastructure for early-stage startups.

  • Pre-Incubation Bootcamps
  • Mentor network onboarding
  • Prototype lab setup
  • First Demo Day cohort
  • Seed funding connections
Phase 2 - Scale & Ecosystem Growth (Coming Soon)

Deepening market reach with structured funding pathways, corporate collaborations, and advanced advisory support - helping startups move from product-market fit to scalable, sustainable revenue growth.

  • Grant Funding Support (Govt/CSR grants mapping)
  • Investor Connect Platforms
  • Corporate Innovation Programs
  • Industry Partnership Programs
  • Business Strategy Support (Structured)
  • Sales & Scaling Support
  • International Market Access
Phase 3 - Venture, Fund &Commercialization (Future)

Positioning MAC as a nationally recognized launchpad - building a proprietary corpus fund, structured VC access, and large-scale commercialization capabilities for portfolio companies with strong traction.

  • Venture Capital Access (Structured)
  • Dedicated Seed / Venture Fund (Corpus-dependent)
  • Large-scale Commercialization Programs

A comprehensive set of resources and programmes designed to take a startup from idea validation to investor pitch. All offerings are structured for both accelerator-track and incubation-track startups.

Pre-Incubation Program and Bootcamp

Category: Programs

An intensive, structured bootcamp for idea-stage founders to validate their concept, identify problem-solution fit, define their target market, and build a lean business model before entering the main programme i.e., Bootcamp.

Mentorship & Expert Guidance

Category: Support Services

Tap into a network of 110+ mentors, domain experts, serial entrepreneurs, industry veterans, and technical advisors. Benefit from structured 1:1 session, group advisory roundtables, and ongoing guidance across product, finance, legal, and strategy.

Prototype & Lab Access

Category: Support Services

Access world-class infrastructure through tie-up partners - including Technical institutes labs and a Neuroscience Lab of MDI to build, test, and iterate on product prototypes without heavy capital investment in the early stages.

Market Access & GTM Support

Category: Support Services

Work with network partners and mentors to craft a Go-To-Market strategy. Get support with customer discovery, early sales outreach, digital presence, and identifying your first 100 customers or pilot users.

Startup Networking Opportunities

Category: Support Services

Get direct access to events and ecosystems at Technical institutes and MDI - connecting with founders, researchers, investors, and innovators. Build meaningful relationships that open doors to collaboration, co-founding, and early customers.

Demo Days & Pitch Platforms

Category: Funding Enablement

Showcase your startup at structured Demo Days attended by investors and corporates, gain visibility, investor feedback, and the opportunity to close your first funding round or partnership in a high-stakes, high-reward environment.

Seed Funding Access & Pitch Support

Category: Funding Enablement

An enablement-first model we help founders get funding-ready with end-to-end pitch support: deck crafting, financial modelling, investor introductions, and practice sessions. We connect startups to angels, micro-VCs, and grant programmes.

Note: MAC currently operates without a corpus fund; funding access is facilitated, not disbursed.

Legal, Compliance & Company Formation

Category: Support Services

Guidance on incorporating your startup, protecting intellectual property, understanding co-founder agreements, and navigating DPIIT startup recognition-giving your venture a solid legal and regulatory foundation from day one.

Workshops & Skill Development

Category: Programs

Curated workshops on product design thinking, financial planning, investor communication, digital marketing, and technology fundamentals-building the multi-disciplinary skills every early-stage founder needs.

MAC welcomes innovators at various stages - from first-time student founders to experienced professionals spinning off a new venture.

Student Founders
UG/PG students with ideas at concept or early prototype stage looking for structured support to validate, build, and launch their startup.

Research & IP Spinofs
Faculty, researchers, or PhD scholars with technology innovations ready for commercialization and market entry.

Early-Stage Startups
External founders with a validated idea or early traction, looking to scale with mentor support, lab access, and investor connections.

Social Innovators
Entrepreneurs building ventures with a measurable social, environmental, or community impact.

We are looking for motivated, coachable founders with a genuine problem to solve. Following criteria will be considered during selection:

  • A clearly defined problem statement with initial market research
  • A committed founding team (solo founders considered on merit)
  • Idea at concept, prototype, or early traction stage
  • Openness to mentorship, feedback, and iteration
  • Students, alumni, faculty, or external founders welcome
  • Preference for tech-enabled, scalable, or social impact ventures
  • Willingness to commit time to programme milestones

MDI Gurgaon Megaminds, launched in 2018 by alumni, is a flagship startup pitch initiative by the Management Development Institute Gurgaon. This non-profit, volunteer-driven platform connects curated startups with angel investors, incubation labs, and industry experts, offering funding, mentorship, visibility, and networking. Impacting over 100 startups and linking them to 40+ investors, Megaminds plays a key role in India’s startup ecosystem.

Following a “Shark Tank”-style format, the event fosters real-time feedback and collaboration, helping founders grow and inspire new entrepreneurs.

Startups can apply to pitch at https://www.mdimegaminds.com/

The selection process follows four stages:

  1. Submit Application - Fill out the online application form with your idea brief, team details, and current stage.
  2. Screening & Shortlisting - Applications are reviewed by our selection panel. Shortlisted teams are notified within 2 weeks.
  3. Founder Interview / Pitch - A brief 15-minute conversation with our committee to understand your vision and assess programme fit.
  4. Cohort Onboarding - Selected startups are onboarded into the cohort with full access to all programme resources.

1. Dr. Leena Ajit Kaushal
Chairperson, MDI Acceleration cum Incubation Centre (MAC)

2. Dr. Ruchi Agarwal
Faculty-in-Charge, MDI Acceleration cum Incubation Centre (MAC)

3. Pallavi Nagar
Incubation Manager, MDI Acceleration cum Incubation Centre (MAC)

4. Mukul Kamboj
Senior Administrative Assistant,MDI Acceleration cum Incubation Centre (MAC)

If you have an innovative idea, a problem worth solving, or a prototype ready for testing, we would love to hear from you. Join us in transforming ideas into impactful solutions.

MDI Gurgaon
MDI Acceleration cum Incubation Centre (MAC)
1st Floor, E-2 Block
Mehrauli Road, Sukhrali
Gurugram-122007, Haryana, India

Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
Phone: +91-124-4560677 | +91-124-4565353