1. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
Website
Why Seed Funding is Important for Startups
Easy availability of capital is essential for entrepreneurs during the early stages of building a business.
Angel investors and venture capital firms usually invest only after a startup has demonstrated a strong proof of concept. On the other hand, banks generally require asset-backed collateral to approve loans.
Because of this gap, seed funding plays a crucial role in helping startups:
✔️ Develop innovative ideas
✔️ Build prototypes
✔️ Validate proof of concept
✔️ Conduct market research
✔️ Prepare for larger investments
✅ Eligibility Criteria for Seed Funding
- DPIIT-recognised startup
- Incorporated within the last 2 years
- Has an innovative, scalable business idea with strong commercialization potential
- Uses technology in product, service, or business model
- Has not received more than ₹10 lakh from any other government scheme
- At least 51% Indian promoter shareholding
- Seed funding (grant/debt) can be availed only once per category
2 Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)
Website
msh.meity.gov.in/schemes/genesis
GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) aimed at discovering, supporting, and accelerating innovative technology startups across India — especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
With a total outlay of around ₹490 crore over five years, the scheme focuses on strengthening the startup ecosystem beyond metro cities and promoting inclusive digitization, job creation, and economic growth.
💰 What Support Does GENESIS Provide?
Under GENESIS, startups and early-stage innovators can access:
✔️ Early-stage grants (up to ₹10 lakh)
✔️ Pilot funding support
✔️ Matching investment assistance
✔️ Deep-tech funding
✔️ Mentorship & market access
✔️ Infrastructure support through MeitY-supported incubators
✔️ Ecosystem & networking opportunities
✅ Eligibility Criteria
✔️ Indian citizen or startup registered in India
✔️ Technology-driven startup (ICT, Electronics, AI/ML, Deep-tech, Digital)
✔️ Early to growth stage (Idea to early traction)
✔️ DPIIT recognition required (for certain components)
✔️ Innovative, scalable & commercially viable idea
✔️ Limited prior government funding (generally ≤ ₹10 lakh)
✔️ Minimum 51% Indian promoter ownership
✔️ Preference for Tier-II & Tier-III startups
✔️ Not availing overlapping MeitY schemes (e.g., TIDE 2.0, SAMRIDH)
✔️ Must follow MeitY incubator guidelines
3. MSME Innovation Scheme
Website
The MSME Innovative Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), Government of India, aims to promote innovation, design improvement, and intellectual property creation among MSMEs and startups.
🎯 Objective
The scheme supports enterprises in:
✔️ Developing innovative ideas
✔️ Improving product design
✔️ Protecting intellectual property (IPR)
✔️ Commercializing new innovations
✔️ Strengthening competitiveness in the MSME sector
✅ Eligibility – MSME Innovation Scheme
✔️ Must be a registered MSME or MSME startup in India
✔️ Valid Udyam Registration required
✔️ Working on an innovative idea/product/process with commercialization potential
✔️ For Incubation: Early-stage startup/MSME willing to incubate at an approved center
✔️ For Design: Seeking support for new or improved product/process design
✔️ For IPR: Applying for or holding patents, trademarks, GI, etc.
✔️ Should not have availed similar benefits for the same project under other government schemes
✔️ Must comply with Ministry of MSME guidelines
4. Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)
Website
The Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is a flagship funding program by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) to support innovative ideas in the biotechnology sector.
BIG helps early-stage startups and innovators move from idea to Proof of Concept (PoC) by providing financial assistance.
💰 Funding Support
✔️ Grant-in-aid up to ₹50 lakhs
✔️ Support duration: Up to 18 months
✔️ Focus on high-risk, high-impact biotech innovations
Sectors Covered
BIG promotes innovation across:
• Healthcare & Lifesciences
• Diagnostics & Medical Devices
• Drugs & Drug Delivery Systems
• Vaccines
• Biosimilars & Stem Cells
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Agriculture & Secondary Agriculture
• Bioinformatics
• Waste Management & Clean Energy
✅ Eligibility – Biotechnology Ignition Grant
✔️ Company/LLP must be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956/2013
✔️ Incorporation should not be older than 5 years from the date of the BIG call launch
✔️ Minimum 51% Indian promoter shareholding
✔️ Application must be represented by a Project Leader
✔️ Must have a functional in-house R&D facility
➡️ If not, must be incubated at an approved incubator
✔️ Not eligible if a ≥20% promoter is linked to another ineligible biotech company/LLP
➡️ Exception: If the other entity operates in a non-biotech domain
✔️ Companies (and promoters) defaulting on loan repayment to Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) are not eligible
5. Digital India Bhashini Initiative
Website
The Digital India Bhashini Initiative, under the National Language Translation Mission of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), aims to enable multilingual digital access across India through AI-driven language technologies.
Opportunities for Startups
Bhashini supports startups in building and scaling solutions in:
✔️ Speech Recognition
✔️ Text Translation
✔️ Voice Interfaces
✔️ Natural Language Processing (NLP)
✔️ AI-powered language tools for Indian languages
How It Supports Startups
• Innovation challenges & hackathons
• Pilot deployments with government platforms
• Ecosystem partnerships
• Co-creation opportunities
• Access to language datasets & technology infrastructure
✅ Eligibility – Digital India Bhashini Initiative
- Company/LLP must be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956/2013
- Unregistered teams can participate initially but must register as a company/startup before final stages (if selected)
- Minimum 51% Indian promoter shareholding
- Proposal must address language technology challenges (AI/NLP, speech, translation, etc.)
- Must comply with programme rules, documentation requirements, IP norms, and funding utilisation guidelines (if applicable)
6. NIDHI PRAYAS Scheme
Website
The NIDHI PRAYAS Scheme (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators & Startups) is an initiative under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to support innovators in converting their ideas into working prototypes.
💰 Funding Support
✔️ Prototype grant up to ₹10 lakhs
✔️ Final funding amount subject to approval by the PRAYAS Centre Monitoring Committee
✔️ Funding primarily for prototype development
Key Highlights
✔️ Supports young and aspiring innovators
✔️ Focus on idea-to-prototype stage
✔️ Encourages commercialization potential
✔️ IP generated (if any) remains with the Innovator/Startup
✅ Eligibility – NIDHI PRAYAS Scheme
✔️ Indian innovator (18+) or early-stage startup (≤7 years)
✔️ Registered in India with ≥51% Indian ownership & ≤₹25 lakh turnover
✔️ Tech/science-based idea for a physical product prototype (not software/services)
✔️ Idea must be at pre-prototype or PoC stage
✔️ No prior funding for the same prototype
✔️ IP must belong to the innovator/startup
✔️ Prototype must be completed within 18 months with clear commercialization plan
7. Multiplier Grants Scheme (MGS)
Website
indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in
The Multiplier Grants Scheme (MGS) is implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to promote collaborative R&D between industry and academic/R&D institutions.
💰 Funding Pattern
✔️ Industry funds R&D project at an academic/R&D institution
✔️ Government provides financial support up to 2× the industry contribution
✔️ Joint proposal submission by industry and institution is mandatory
Key Benefits
✔️ Promotes product-oriented research
✔️ Strengthens industry–academia collaboration
✔️ Supports commercialization of innovative technologies
✔️ Reduces financial burden on industry partners
✅ Eligibility – Multiplier Grants Scheme
✔️ Joint proposal by Industry + Academic/R&D institution
✔️ Project in Electronics & IT domain
✔️ Industry-led idea with commercialization potential
✔️ Technically & commercially viable proposal
✔️ Academic partner with strong research background
✔️ Industry must invest and align project with core business
8. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – RAFTAAR
Website
The RKVY-RAFTAAR (Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation) initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare promotes innovation and agri-entrepreneurship across India.
Launched in 2018–19, the program supports agri-startups to enhance farmers’ income and create employment opportunities for youth.
💰 Funding Support
✔️ Seed Stage Funding: Up to ₹25 lakhs (Grant-in-aid)
✔️ Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding: Up to ₹5 lakhs (Grant-in-aid)
Key Components
✔️ Strengthening existing Agribusiness Incubators (ABI) & setting up new R-ABIs
✔️ 2-month incubation/training support for startups
✔️ Technical & financial assistance
✔️ Mentorship (Technical, IP, testing, product validation)
Objective
✔️ Promote innovation in agriculture & allied sectors
✔️ Strengthen agri-startup ecosystem
✔️ Improve farmer income
✔️ Generate rural employment
✅ RKVY-RAFTAAR – Eligibility
- Indian registered startup/company/entity
- Must operate in agriculture & allied sectors
- DPIIT recognition preferred
- Incubated at an approved R-ABI (residency required)
- At idea/MVP/seed stage
- No prior similar government grant for the same project
- No repeat seed funding if already supported
9. Smart India Hackathon (SIH)
Website
The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is a premier nationwide innovation initiative organized by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
SIH engages students across the country to solve real-world challenges faced by government departments, industries, and communities.
Objective
- Promote innovation & problem-solving culture
- Bridge the gap between academic learning & practical application
- Encourage critical and creative thinking
- Develop technology-driven solutions for national challenges
Key Highlights
- Nationwide participation from engineering & other students
- Real-world problem statements from ministries & industries
- Mentorship from industry experts & government officials
- Platform to showcase skills & innovative ideas
- Encourages collaboration & teamwork
✅ Smart India Hackathon (SIH) – Eligibility
- Open to students of recognized Indian institutions (UG/PG/Diploma)
- Team participation mandatory (usually 6 members as per SIH guidelines)
- Team must be registered & nominated by the institution on the SIH portal
- Each team must have a faculty mentor from the same institution
- Solution must match official SIH problem statements
- Students can participate in only one team & one problem statement per edition
10. TIDE 2.0 Scheme
Website
The TIDE 2.0 (Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs) Scheme is an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to promote tech entrepreneurship in India.
Objective
To support ICT and emerging technology startups through financial & technical assistance via recognized incubators.
Focus Areas
Startups working in emerging technologies such as:
✔️ IoT
✔️ Artificial Intelligence (AI)
✔️ Blockchain
✔️ Robotics
✔️ Other ICT-based solutions addressing societal challenges
Key Highlights
✔️ Implemented through 51 incubators across India
✔️ Supports nearly 2000 tech startups over 5 years
✔️ Financial & mentoring support
✔️ Focus on societal impact & innovation
✅ TIDE 2.0 Scheme – Eligibility
- Indian citizens (individuals/teams) or registered Indian startups
- Technology-driven startup in ICT/emerging tech (AI, IoT, Blockchain, Robotics, etc.)
- Registered in India with majority Indian ownership
- Early-stage startup with PoC/prototype aiming to build MVP/product
- At least one founder must work full-time on the project
- Must be incubated at a MeitY-approved TIDE 2.0 centre
- No similar government funding for the same project
