Seed funding schemes for startups in India
Early money from public programmes. Some are grants and others are debt or convertible, so each page says which it is.
Checked on official pages, last on 4 November 2026. Founders Wing does not run these schemes or help with applications.
Seed funding · All of India
Open nowGENESIS: Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups
Ministry of Electronics and IT, through MeitY Startup Hub
Up to ₹10 lakh for early-stage, average ₹40 lakh up to ₹50 lakh for pilots or matched investment, up to ₹1 crore for select deep tech
Seed funding · Andhra Pradesh
Open all yearSeed Funding with Equity, Andhra Pradesh Innovation and Startup Policy 4.0
Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society, ITE&C Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh
Up to ₹50 lakh for equity; deep tech and advanced technology startups up to ₹1 crore based on need
Seed funding · All of India
Opens in roundsNIDHI-SSP: NIDHI Seed Support Program
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Up to ₹1 crore per startup in exceptional cases. Incubators have typically invested ₹10 to 25 lakh.
Seed funding · All of India
Opens in roundsSAMRIDH: Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development and Growth
Ministry of Electronics and IT, through MeitY Startup Hub
Up to ₹40 lakh from the scheme, matched by up to ₹40 lakh from the accelerator or investor
Seed funding · Tamil Nadu
Opens in roundsTANSEED: Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Fund
Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN), Government of Tamil Nadu
Up to ₹10 lakh, or ₹15 lakh for rural impact, climate action and women-led startups, for a 3% support stake
Seed funding · Maharashtra
Check official pageMITDF: Maharashtra Innovation and Technological Development Fund
Maharashtra State Innovation Society with IDBI Capital Markets & Securities as investment manager
Up to ₹10 crore in a single round, or 10% of committed corpus if lower
Seed funding · Tamil Nadu
Check official pageTN SC/ST Fund: Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund
Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN), Government of Tamil Nadu
Amount varies, see the official page
Seed funding · Tamil Nadu
Check official pageTamil Nadu Space Tech Fund
Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN), Government of Tamil Nadu
Up to ₹50 lakh as a matching grant or equity
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Questions people ask
Is the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme still open?
No, not for new startups. The official portal gave 31 May 2026 as the last date for startups to apply. Money already approved is still being paid out, and we found no replacement scheme when we last checked.
Do I need DPIIT recognition to get a grant?
Many central and state schemes ask for it, but not all. Each page here lists that scheme's conditions, so check before you apply for recognition just for one scheme.
Can a SaaS or AI startup get a grant?
Yes, but fewer schemes suit it than the headlines suggest. Some are for deep tech or hardware, and NIDHI PRAYAS, for example, leaves out pure software and app projects. Start with our list for software startups.
What is the difference between a grant, a loan and a credit guarantee?
You are not expected to repay a grant if you meet its conditions. You repay a loan with interest. A credit guarantee is not money for you at all: it protects the bank, which may make the bank more willing to lend to you.
Should I pay an agent to get a government scheme?
Be careful with anyone who promises approval for a fee. Nobody outside the selection process can promise it. MUDRA, for example, says on its own site that it uses no agents.
How current is this list?
Each page shows the date we read the official source. Schemes change and close without much notice, so confirm the amount and dates on the official page before you apply.