Grants and schemes for women founders
Programmes meant for women entrepreneurs, or with better terms for them. Check each page, since some ask for a set share of ownership by women.
Checked on official pages, last on 4 November 2026. Founders Wing does not run these schemes or help with applications.
Incubation support · All of India
Open all yearWEP: Women Entrepreneurship Platform
NITI Aayog, Government of India
Amount varies, see the official page
Grant · Open to Indian startups
Opens in roundsCartier Women's Initiative Regional Awards
Cartier Women's Initiative
$100,000 for first place, $60,000 for second, $30,000 for third
Grant · Goa
Check official pageWomen Entrepreneur Vitality Scheme, Goa Startup Policy 2025
Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa
₹20,000 a month for up to one year
Incubation support · Open to Indian startups
Check official pageNSRCEL WSP: Women Startup Program
NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, powered by Kotak BizLabs
Amount varies, see the official page
Grant · Open to Indian startups
Check official pagePeak XV Spark: Spark Fellowship
Peak XV Partners
$100,000 equity-free grant
Incubation support · Telangana
Check official pageWE Hub WE Engage: WE Engage
WE Hub, Government of Telangana
Amount varies, see the official page
A grant can help. Paying customers keep you going.
Founders Wing is India’s community for people building with AI: weekly live sessions, a private group, and people who help you reach paying customers.
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.