Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

From Innovation
to Market.

Financial assistance for early-stage startups to validate ideas, build prototypes, conduct product trials, enter markets and move towards commercialisation.

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₹

Grant Support

₹20 L

Proof of concept, prototype development and product trials.

Seed Support
Build.
Validate.
Scale.
↗

Debt / Convertible

₹50 L

Market entry, commercialisation and scaling up.

₹
₹20 Lakhs Grant support
↗
₹50 Lakhs Debt / Convertible support
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3,600+ Entrepreneurs targeted
What it enables

Funding designed for the early journey.

Seed support can help startups move through critical stages between an idea and a commercially viable business.

01
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Proof of Concept

Validate the feasibility of your startup idea and establish its potential.

02
◇

Prototype Development

Convert an innovative concept into a working prototype ready for testing.

03
◌

Product Trials

Test, validate and refine products before entering the wider market.

04
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Market & Scale

Support market entry, commercialisation and scaling activities.

Eligibility

Is your startup ready for seed support?

Key eligibility conditions under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme include the following.


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✓
Startup should be DPIIT recognised and incorporated not more than 2 years ago at the time of application.
✓
The business idea should demonstrate market fit, viable commercialisation and scope for scaling.
✓
Technology should be present in the core product, service, business model, distribution model or methodology.
✓
Startup should not have received more than ₹10 Lakhs monetary support under another Central or State Government scheme, subject to scheme guidelines.
✓
At least 51% Indian promoter shareholding as applicable under the scheme guidelines.
Funding Structure

Two forms of support.
Different startup milestones.

The scheme provides support through grant assistance and debt / convertible debenture investment, depending on the stage and purpose of the startup.

Grant

Validation Stage
₹20L
✓ Proof of Concept
✓ Prototype Development
✓ Product Trials
✓ Milestone-based utilisation

Debt / Convertible

Market & Scale Stage
₹50L
✓ Market Entry
✓ Commercialisation
✓ Scaling Up
✓ Investment / financing support
A startup can avail seed support in the form of both grant and debt / convertible debentures, each once, subject to the applicable scheme guidelines.
Application Journey

From application to incubation.

The application and selection process is conducted online through the Startup India platform.

01

Apply Online

DPIIT-recognised startups submit their application online.

02

Select Incubators

Startups can apply to up to three incubators.

03

Evaluation

Applications are evaluated by the Selection Committee.

04

Funding

Selected startups enter into the required legal agreement before disbursement.

01 Need for the idea
02 Feasibility
03 Potential impact
04 Novelty
05 Team capability
06 Fund utilisation plan
07 Startup presentation
Selection

What happens after you apply?

Eligible applications are evaluated by the Selection Committee on parameters including the need for the idea, feasibility, potential impact, novelty, team and proposed utilisation of funds.

The incubator enters into the required legal agreement with the selected startup before the first disbursement.

Fund Utilisation

Use the support where it matters.

Seed fund support is intended for the specific purposes for which it is sanctioned.

Proof of Concept

Validate the core concept and demonstrate technical or market feasibility.

Prototype & Trials

Develop prototypes and conduct product development and testing activities.

Market & Commercialisation

Support market entry, commercialisation and scaling activities.

Progress

Build. Measure. Report.

Progress may be assessed across product development, field trials, market launch and business outcomes.

Proof of Concept
Prototype Development
Product Development
Field Trials
Market Launch
Funding Raised
Jobs Created
Turnover

Not selected this time?

Eligible startups may re-apply after three months from rejection.

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FAQ

Quick answers.

DPIIT-recognised startups meeting the applicable eligibility conditions can apply under the scheme.
The scheme provides grant support of up to ₹20 Lakhs for validation, prototype development and product trials, and investment support of up to ₹50 Lakhs through debt or convertible debentures for market entry, commercialisation and scaling, subject to scheme guidelines.
Yes. A startup can apply to up to three incubators through the application process.
Grant support is intended for proof of concept, prototype development and product trials.
The selected startup enters into the required legal agreement with the incubator before the first disbursement.
Your next milestone starts here

Have an idea worth building?

Explore the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme and take your startup from validation towards market readiness.

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Applications are subject to the applicable Startup India Seed Fund Scheme guidelines and eligibility conditions.
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