Grants For Startups in India Across Different Sectors

India has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, with government and private initiatives providing substantial support through grants, funding, and mentorship. Various ministries, state governments, and industry bodies offer grants tailored to specific sectors, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. This article provides a detailed overview of grants available to Indian startups across different sectors.

1. Government Grants for Startups in India

The Government of India, through various schemes and departments, provides grants to early-stage startups to encourage innovation and economic growth. These grants do not require equity dilution, making them an attractive source of funding.

1.1 Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)

• Sector: All Sectors
• Amount: Up to ₹50 lakh
• Eligibility: Startups recognized under DPIIT, incorporated less than two years ago, and working on innovative solutions.
• Objective: Supports startups in product development, prototyping, market entry, and commercialization.
• Administered by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

1.2 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) – Grant for Incubators

• Sector: Technology & Innovation
• Amount: ₹10 crore for established incubators, ₹1 crore for new incubators
• Eligibility: Educational institutions, R&D organizations, and private sector incubators
• Objective: To support the development of incubators that nurture startups and early-stage businesses.

1.3 Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)

• Sector: Biotechnology & Life Sciences
• Amount: Up to ₹50 lakh
• Eligibility: Startups, individual entrepreneurs, and researchers in the biotech field.
• Objective: Supports early-stage biotech startups in proof-of-concept, prototyping, and validation.
• Administered by: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

1.4 Multiplier Grant Scheme (MGS)

• Sector: Information Technology & Electronics
• Amount: Up to ₹2 crore
• Eligibility: Startups partnering with industry and academia for R&D projects.
• Objective: Encourages startups to develop new products in collaboration with academia and industry.
• Administered by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

1.5 National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)

• Sector: Science & Technology
• Amount: Up to ₹25 lakh
• Eligibility: Early-stage tech startups
• Objective: Provides financial support for prototype development and commercialization.
• Administered by: Department of Science and Technology (DST)

1.6 Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme

• Sector: Food Processing
• Amount: 35% of the eligible project cost (up to ₹10 lakh)
• Eligibility: Individual micro-entrepreneurs and food startups
• Objective: To boost food processing industries and support self-employment.

1.7 SAMRIDH Scheme

• Sector: IT & SaaS (Software as a Service)
• Amount: ₹40 lakh
• Eligibility: Startups focusing on deep-tech and software innovation
• Objective: Supports software product development and international expansion.
• Administered by: Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)

2. Sector-Specific Grants for Startups

Beyond general startup grants, India has specialized grants for key industries to drive innovation in critical sectors.

2.1 Agriculture & Agritech Startups

• RKVY-RAFTAAR (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation)
  • Amount: ₹5 lakh for ideation-stage, ₹25 lakh for growth-stage
  • Objective: Supports startups in precision farming, post-harvest management, and agritech innovation.
• Agri Udaan Accelerator
  • Amount: Mentorship + funding up to ₹10 lakh
  • Objective: Helps agritech startups scale through business support and market access.

2.2 Renewable Energy & Cleantech Startups

• IREDA Renewable Energy Startup Grant
  • Amount: Varies
  • Objective: Supports startups in solar, wind, biomass, and green hydrogen technologies.
• Waste to Energy Grant (Ministry of New & Renewable Energy)
  • Amount: Up to ₹10 crore for pilot projects
  • Objective: Encourages startups working on waste-to-energy solutions.

2.3 Healthcare & Medtech Startups

• Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN)
  • Amount: ₹50 lakh
  • Objective: Funds biotech startups focusing on rural healthcare solutions.
• Startup India Healthtech Grant
  • Amount: ₹25-50 lakh
  • Objective: Funds startups developing AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine, and affordable healthcare solutions.

2.4 Social Enterprises & Rural Development

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)
  • Amount: ₹10-50 lakh for rural entrepreneurship
  • Objective: Supports rural startups, especially in handicrafts and small industries.
• SIDBI Social Impact Grant
  • Amount: ₹25 lakh
  • Objective: Funds startups working on education, women’s empowerment, and skill development.

2.5 Women Entrepreneurs & Startup Grants

• Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) – NITI Aayog
  • Amount: ₹5-25 lakh
  • Objective: Supports women-led startups in various sectors.
• Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme
  • Amount: ₹10 lakh
  • Objective: Provides financial aid to women entrepreneurs in manufacturing and service sectors.

2.6 Deep-Tech & AI Startups

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Grant (MeitY)
  • Amount: ₹1-2 crore
  • Objective: Funds AI-driven startups in healthcare, fintech, and governance.
• National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
  • Amount: ₹50 lakh – ₹5 crore
  • Objective: Supports startups working on high-performance computing and quantum technologies.

3. State-Specific Grants for Startups

Several state governments also provide financial support through grants and incentives.

3.1 Maharashtra State Innovation Society

• Amount: ₹10-50 lakh
• Objective: Supports startups in fintech, edtech, and smart city solutions.

3.2 Karnataka Elevate 100

• Amount: ₹50 lakh
• Objective: Funds innovative startups across multiple sectors in Karnataka.

3.3 Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM)

• Amount: ₹10 lakh seed grant
• Objective: Provides funding and incubation support for early-stage startups.

3.4 Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy

• Amount: ₹5-10 lakh
• Objective: Supports tech-driven and manufacturing startups.

3.5 Gujarat Startup Fund

• Amount: ₹10-50 lakh
• Objective: Supports startups in manufacturing, pharma, and renewable energy.

4. How to Apply for Startup Grants in India

1. Register as a Startup with DPIIT – Apply via the Startup India portal (www.startupindia.gov.in).
2. Identify Sector-Specific Grants – Check eligibility and application deadlines.
3. Prepare a Business Plan – A well-structured proposal improves chances of grant approval.
4. Apply via Government Portals – Use platforms like MSME Samadhan, BIRAC, and AIM for grant applications.
5. Follow Up & Network – Engaging with incubators and accelerators improves success rates.

Grants play a crucial role in helping Indian startups scale without the burden of debt or equity dilution. With multiple funding options available across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, AI, cleantech, and women entrepreneurship, startups have significant opportunities to grow. Entrepreneurs should explore these funding options and leverage government support to build successful ventures.

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