Start-up Grant Applications

₹77,080 Crores allocated by the Government of India for startups and manufacturing in 2025. Yet most founders are still chasing VC money. I work with startups daily, and it surprises me how many don't even know these schemes exist. Here's what's available right now The Big Picture: → Deep Tech & Startup Fund: ₹30,000 Cr → MSME Budget Outlay: ₹23,168 Cr → Startup India Fund of Funds: ₹10,000 Cr → PLI Electronics & IT: ₹9,000 Cr → PLI Auto Components: ₹2,819 Cr → PLI Textiles: ₹1,148 Cr → Startup India Seed Fund: ₹945 Cr This is just the major allocations - there's more buried in smaller schemes. Let me break down what you can actually access based on your stage [1] For Early Stage Startups: 👉🏼 Startup India Seed Fund: Up to ₹50L per startup 👉🏼 SAMRIDH Scheme: Up to ₹40L grants 👉🏼 Atal Innovation Mission: Up to ₹15L for prototypes Most founders think these are too small. But remember, this is non-dilutive capital that can get you to revenue stage. [2] For Revenue Stage Companies: 👉🏼 CGTMSE: Up to ₹2 Cr collateral-free loans 👉🏼 Stand-Up India: ₹10L to ₹1 Cr for SC/ST/Women entrepreneurs 👉🏼 Multiplier Grants: Up to ₹10 Cr for R&D projects This is where it gets interesting. Revenue-stage companies have the best shot at accessing larger amounts. [3] For Manufacturing: 👉🏼 PLI schemes across 14+ sectors 👉🏼 Significant incentives for domestic production 👉🏼 Focus on electronics, auto, textiles If you're in manufacturing, you're literally sitting on a goldmine of incentives. The challenge? Most founders don't know how to navigate the application process. Here's where to start: - Startup India Portal [https://lnkd.in/gBdAH52D] - myScheme Portal [myscheme.gov.in] - SIDBI Portal [sidbi.in] - AIM Portal [aim.gov.in] - MeitY Startup Hub [msh.meity.gov.in] What you actually need: ✓ DPIIT registration for startups ✓ Proper documentation ✓ Clear business plan ✓ Compliance records ✓ Incubator partnerships (for some schemes) I've seen founders spend months preparing pitch decks for VCs, but won't spend a week getting their documentation ready for government schemes. The reality is Government funding is often cheaper, comes with less dilution, and has better terms than VC money. But it requires patience and proper documentation. #startupfunding #manufacturing #debtfunding

₹50 LAKHS GRANT FOR STARTUPS - YET 99% ENTREPRENEURS MISS IT As someone who has built businesses both from scratch and with institutional support, I can tell you one thing: knowing how to raise funds is just as important as having a strong idea. Right now, the Indian government is offering up to ₹50 lakhs to early-stage startups under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS). This is not a loan. This is not equity. This is a pure grant. Yet, most startup founders I meet are either unaware of this or believe it’s too complicated to apply for. Here’s what every serious founder needs to know: 🔹 You don’t need a market-ready product. You can apply even if you're at the idea or MVP stage. 🔹 You must be an Indian citizen with a startup registered in India, under 10 years old, and working on a tech-first or innovation-first model. 🔹 You must not have received prior government funding under any other central scheme. 🔹 To apply, your startup needs DPIIT recognition (which is free and easy to get at startupindia.gov.in) 🔹 Once recognised, go to https://lnkd.in/g66vuPaf, choose three incubators, upload your pitch deck and necessary documents, and submit your application. As an entrepreneur, I’ve often seen amazing ideas collapse due to a lack of funds and access. What I’ve also seen is that those who invest time in understanding government systems and startup policies go a lot further than those who wait for VCs to knock on their door. If you're working on an idea that solves a real problem, don’t let the lack of capital hold you back. 🔹 Pitch clearly. 🔹 Show why your idea is innovative. 🔹 Prove that your team can build it. 🔹 Keep your documents and vision sorted. India has never been more startup-friendly than it is today. But this window will only benefit those who are proactive and informed. If you’re building, I strongly recommend exploring this scheme. Every founder should know this. Every startup should at least try. A good pitch can open a ₹50 lakh door. Sometimes, that’s all you need to go from idea to execution. Watch this space for more such insights. And if you're someone working on a strong idea, now is the time to build. #startupindia #founders #entrepreneurship #startupfunding #SISFS #governmentgrants #businessstrategy

💸 Funding & Grants Series Spotlighting opportunities for climate-focused startups in India. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some amazing grants and funding opportunities I’ve come across for climate and sustainability startups in India. 💪I’m sharing this because I’ve seen first-hand how hard it can be to find the right information—especially when you're deep in the work of building something meaningful. 💪Through Bharat Climate Startups, I’ve had the chance to travel across the country, meet incredible founders, and visit climate startups solving real problems on the ground. 💰One thing that comes up in almost every conversation?- The funding struggle is real. If you're working on clean energy, circularity, sustainable farming, or climate tech—this series is for you. I hope it helps you find the right support to keep building. 👉 Tag someone who should see this. Here are the first 5 grants and funding programs worth checking out: 🔹 1. HDFC Bank Parivartan – Grants for Sustainable Communities 💰 Custom CSR grants 📌 For climate resilience, water, rural livelihoods & cleantech HDFC Bank 🔹 2. Rainmatter Foundation Grants 💰 Grants for nature restoration, climate storytelling & policy 📌 Backed by Zerodha 🔹 3. SIDBI(Small Industries Development Bank of India) Green Financing Scheme 💰 Loans and financing for cleantech and green infra 📌 For waste, water, renewable energy startups 🔹 4. SBI Foundation Innovation Grants 💰 CSR support for SDG-aligned startups 🔹 5. DBT BIRAC Ignition Grant (BIG) 💰 Up to ₹50 lakh 📌 For early-stage biotech startups in waste-to-energy, bio-alternatives, eco-solutions 📩 Curious about other grants? Or want to chat about partnerships, collaborations, or just need help navigating this space? Drop me a message — happy to connect! Let’s make access to funding easier for the people solving for the planet 🌍 #ClimateAction #ImpactFunding #BharatClimateStartups

As of 2024, about 7,770 startups received funding through government institutions. (2,622 SISFS + 1,173 FFS + 209 CGSS + 3,556 AIM + 209 others) Most founders spend months chasing VC meetings. While government institutions are actively deploying capital. Let's break down every active funding channel available right now Startup India Seed Fund (SISFS) ₹467.75 crore disbursed to 2,622 startups for early-stage funding Apply at: (https://lnkd.in/gUsp5CxZ) Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) ₹21,276 crore invested in 1,173 startups through registered AIFs Apply at: (http://sidbi.in/ffs) Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGSS) ₹604.16 crore guaranteed to 209 startups without collateral Apply at: (http://cgss.sidbi.in/) Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) 3,556 startups incubated across 72 centers, creating 41,965 jobs Apply at: (http://aim.gov.in/) CGTMSE ₹8,000 crore corpus for micro and small enterprise loans Apply at: (http://cgtmse.in/) These institutions also offer sector-specific funding NABVENTURES Dedicated fund for agriculture and rural development startups Apply at: (http://nabventures.in/) NIIF Infrastructure and related sector investments Apply at: (http://niifindia.in/) CIIE.CO ₹40 crore corpus focused on deeptech startups Apply at: (http://ciie.co/) NSRCEL Deep tech acceleration program in partnership with SIDBI Apply at: (http://nsrcel.org/) MeitY Startup Hub Supporting 5,310 technology startups across India Apply at: (http://meity.gov.in/) Now, the crucial part. Matching your startup stage with the right funding source. If you are in Pre-Revenue Stage: → SISFS → AIM → MeitY Startup Hub Early Revenue (< ₹1 Cr ARR): → CGTMSE → NSRCEL → CIIE.CO Growth Stage (> ₹1 Cr ARR): → FFS → CGSS → NABVENTURES → NIIF Building a startup is challenging enough. Funding shouldn't be a mystery. These institutions exist to support you. Find the one which aligns with your current status and goals #StartupFunding #StartupIndia #funding