# Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme

Type: Company

Source: Startup Intelligence Brief — https://getstartupbrief.com/entity/design-linked-incentive-dli-scheme
Canonical HTML page: https://getstartupbrief.com/entity/design-linked-incentive-dli-scheme

## Timeline

- **2027**: Production tape-out targeted — Ministry says VIHAAN will proceed towards production tape-out targeted for 2027.
- **2026-08-15**: First-pass silicon success achieved — Aheesa confirms VIHAAN works on first silicon, as announced by MeitY on Independence Day 2026.
- **2026-01-26**: VIHAAN tape-out completed — Aheesa Digital Innovations tapes out the VIHAAN broadband networking SoC on India's Republic Day.

## Recent coverage (1 stories)

### Aheesa VIHAAN Chip Achieves First-Pass Silicon; DLI Startups Top $100M
2026-08-15 20:06:29 · Sentiment: Positive · Impact: 6/10 · Sources: 3

Chennai fabless startup Aheesa Digital Innovations cleared a major technical risk by achieving first-pass silicon on its VIHAAN broadband SoC. The milestone, backed by the Design Linked Incentive scheme and Rs 40 crore in seed funding, positions Aheesa for a 2027 production tape-out while DLI-backed startups have collectively raised over USD 100 million.
Full story: https://getstartupbrief.com/story/aheesa-vihaan-first-pass-silicon-dli-startups

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