NIDHI Seed Support Program
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Seed money for startups associated with an approved Technology Business Incubator, meant to bridge the gap between building and selling a product. The Department gives funds to the incubator, which then invests in its startups, usually through equity or a low-interest soft loan after its own committee recommends support.
What you can get
Up to ₹1 crore per startup in exceptional cases. Incubators have typically invested ₹10 to 25 lakh.
Do you repay it?
Yes, or it takes equity
Type
Seed funding
Where
All of India
Current status
The NIDHI page says listed incubators announce periodic calls, and the guidelines were uploaded in March 2024. No national application date is published.
Who can apply
- Company registered in India, preferably DPIIT recognised or applied
- At least 3 months with the incubator, in person or virtually
- Clear value proposition backed by customer validation
- Indian promoters hold at least 51%
- Preference for startups with no earlier government funding
How to apply
- 1Check the list of supported incubators on the NIDHI portal
- 2Join an incubator and complete 3 months of association
- 3Apply when that incubator announces a call
The catch
Despite the name, this is not free money. Guidelines point to equity or a soft loan, and the incubator negotiates terms. Expect closer to ₹10 to 25 lakh than the headline ₹1 crore.
We read this on the official page on 4 November 2026. Rules and dates change, so confirm there before you apply. Founders Wing is not connected to this scheme, does not help with applications and never charges for access to it.