Fuel Your Startup: Explore Grant & Funding Opportunities

Your guide to navigating live grants, funding programs, and resources tailored for early-stage founders.

28 Apr 2025

Startups across various sectors, including electric vehicles, AI, fintech, agriculture, and gaming, can access numerous grants and funding opportunities. Below is a compilation of notable programs designed to help innovators scale their ventures and bring their ideas to market.

1. Evolutions Program

Description:

Supports innovative EV startups with lab-validated technologies (TRL 3–4) and aims for commercialization (TRL 6–8), offering financial aid through incubators for product development, testing, and market entry.
Key focus areas include tropical EV batteries, power electronics, and charging infrastructure..

Eligibility:

Startups in the electric vehicle sector with technologies at TRL 3–4.
Technologies must have the potential to reach TRL 6–8.

Fund Amount:

Specific funding amount is not mentioned.

Sector:

Electric Vehicle Component Manufacturing
Clean Energy Technologies
Sustainable Mobility

Deadline:

Application Period: April 16, 2025, to May 30, 2025 (11:59 PM IST).

Apply Now : https://onlinedst.gov.in/Projectproposalformat.aspx?Id=2363

2. STPI Kalpataru CoE – SAMRIDH 2nd Cohort Program

Description:

The SAMRIDH 2nd Cohort Program, launched by STPI under the Kalpataru Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE), supports and accelerates startups in Industry 4.0 technologies such as AI, IoT, Robotics, Automation, and DeepTech.
Selected startups will receive funding, mentorship, and access to state-of-the-art infrastructure to scale their innovations.

Eligibility:

Legal Status & Age: Startups must be a Private Limited Company in the early to growth stage of development.
Technology Focus & Location: Must work on Industry 4.0 technologies (AI, IoT, Robotics, Automation, DeepTech) and are open to startups across India, especially in the Northeast region.
Commitment: Startups must be willing to participate in a 6-month accelerator program. For detailed eligibility, refer to the official application page.

Fund Amount:

The program offers matching funding support of up to ₹40 Lakh to selected startups.
This funding is aimed at accelerating product development, market entry, and scaling operations.

Sector:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Focuses on enabling machines to simulate human intelligence, driving automation and decision-making processes.
Internet of Things (IoT): Connects devices and systems to the internet, enabling data collection and real-time analysis for smarter operations.
Robotics, Automation & DeepTech: Robotics and automation streamline processes, while DeepTech drives breakthroughs in advanced technologies, fostering digital transformation and innovation within Industry 4.0.

Deadline:

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Apply Now :https://sayuj.net/apply-contest/samridh-kalpataru

3. NSRCEL Fintech Accelerator Program

Description:

The NSRCEL Fintech Accelerator is an initiative by NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore, in collaboration with the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka.
Aims to support fintech startups by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to help them scale their ventures.

Eligibility:

Open to fintech startups that are generating revenue.
Aimed at startups looking to scale their operations.
Requires a clear and validated business model.
Startups should be ready to utilize accelerator resources for growth.

Fund Amount:

While the specific funding amount is not mentioned, selected startups may receive support in the form of mentorship, networking opportunities, and potential access to funding through NSRCEL's network.

Sector:

Fintech

Deadline:

Application Deadline: April 29, 2025, at 11:29:59 AM IST

Apply Now : https://nsrcel.accubate.app/ext/form/3235/1/apply

4. Incubation Program at Gujarat Technological University (GTU)

Description:

The Incubation Program at GTU, supported by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by providing essential resources to technology-based startups.
Startups benefit from mentorship, training, networking opportunities, funding, and office space to support the development of their ideas and businesses.

Eligibility:

Open to individuals, teams, and startups from all over the world.
Early-stage technology-based startups operating in sectors such as biotechnology, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and related fields.
Entrepreneurs looking to develop and scale their innovative ideas.

Fund Amount:

Grant Support: Up to ₹20 lakhs for prototype development and pilot implementation.
Mentorship: Access to domain experts for guidance.
Incubation Support: Opportunities to incubate at MeitY-supported centers.

Sector:

Biotechnology
Life Sciences
Pharmaceuticals
Medical Devices

Deadline:

Application Deadline: April 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM IST

Apply Now : https://gtuventures.accubate.app/ext/form/3390/1/apply

5. NIDHI PRAYAS Program offered by the DERBI Foundation

Description:

The NIDHI PRAYAS Program is an initiative by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, providing financial and infrastructural support to individual innovators and early-stage startups to transform innovative ideas into prototypes.
Managed by the DERBI Foundation, the program focuses on sectors such as MedTech, Circular Economy, Wellness & NutriTech, Mobility, Sports & Rehab Tech, Sustainable Development Goals, Mental Health Tech, and AI/ML & AR/VR Tech.

Eligibility:

Individual Innovators:

1.Must be Indian citizens with proof of nationality (e.g., valid passport, voter ID).

2.At least 18 years old on the date of application.

3.Should not have received a similar grant from any other Government of India organization for the same innovative concept.

Startups:

1.The startup must be incorporated in India with at least 51% equity held by Indian citizens and should not be older than 7 years.

2.The IP generated should vest with the innovator or startup, and if building a prototype from institute/organization IP, a no-objection certificate from the appropriate authority is required.

Fund Amount:

Up to ₹10 Lakhs for prototype development.
The final amount is subject to approval by the monitoring committee of the respective PRAYAS center.

Sector:

MedTech
Circular Economy
Wellness & NutriTech
Mobility
Sports & Rehab Tech
Sustainable Development Goals
Mental Health Tech
AI/ML & AR/VR Tech

Deadline:

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Apply Now : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4_feUnIc5xiZ06GXndVc9VRs_G-B8fgtLOY2ixUBFHFbZ7Q/viewform

6. Pusa Krishi Grant-in-Aid Incubation Program 2025

Description:

The Pusa Krishi Grant-in-Aid Incubation Program 2025 is an initiative by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), supported by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
The program aims to nurture and support innovative startups in the agriculture and allied sectors by providing financial assistance, mentorship, and resources to accelerate the development and commercialization of their solutions.

Eligibility:

Students with an innovative idea in the agriculture sector.
Startups at various stages:
Applicants should have a legal entity and a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or an existing product.
The program is open to Indian citizens and entities.

Fund Amount:

Students with an idea: Up to ₹4,00,000
Startups at idea or prototype stage: Up to ₹5,00,000
Startups at market-ready or revenue stage: Up to ₹25,00,000
The funding is provided to accelerate agri-innovation and support the development and scaling of solutions.

Sector:

Farm Mechanization
Precision Agriculture
Supply Chain and Logistics
Post-Harvest Technology
Waste to Wealth and Green Energy
Agri-Fintech
Biotechnology and Agri-Inputs
Agri-Extension and Education

Deadline:

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Apply Now : https://pusakrishi.accubate.app/ext/form/3395/1/apply

7. ABB Startup Challenge India 2025

Description:

The ABB Startup Challenge India 2025 invites startups to develop AI-powered solutions that enhance smart drive technology, focusing on addressing issues faced by OEMs and system users with Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), such as delays, manual inputs, and excessive reliance on technical support.
The goal is to create a smarter, self-learning ecosystem that boosts reliability, reduces downtime, and enhances the overall customer experience.

Eligibility:

The challenge is open to early-stage and growth-stage startups with expertise in AI/ML, particularly in areas like industrial IoT, automation, and predictive analytics.
Startups should offer innovative solutions that simulate real-world drive performance, automate commissioning processes, and autonomously troubleshoot issues without manual parameterization.

Fund Amount:

$30,000 for a collaboration project with ABB Motion India to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that can be productized and offered to ABB customers.
The 6-month sponsored SynerLeap Special Membership (valued at $10,000) offers startups access to ABB's accelerator, including matchmaking with ABB organizations and partners, support in navigating ABB, introductions to experts, opportunities for pilots and Proof of Concepts, and participation in events and workshops.

Sector:

Industrial Automation
Artificial Intelligence
Energy Efficiency
Smart Drives & Motors

Deadline:

Application Deadline: April 29, 2025

Apply Now : https://www.collaborateandcommercialize.com/abb-startup-challenge-india-2025

8.OctaNE CoE – Gaming and Entertainment Open Challenge Program (OCP1)

Description:

The OctaNE CoE – Gaming and Entertainment OCP1, an initiative by STPI under the OctaNE Centre of Entrepreneurship in Aizawl, Mizoram, supports and accelerates startups in the gaming and entertainment sector.
The program offers opportunities for growth, mentorship, funding, and access to world-class infrastructure, with a focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the Northeast region of India.

Eligibility:

Legal Status: Must be a Private Limited Company incorporated in India.
Age of Startup: Should be in the early to growth stage of development.
Technology Focus: Should be working on innovations in the gaming and entertainment sector.
Location: Open to startups across India, with a focus on the Northeast region.
Commitment: Must be willing to participate in the 6-month accelerator program.

Fund Amount:

The program offers up to ₹25 Lakh in funding support to selected startups. This funding is aimed at accelerating product development, market entry, and scaling operations.

Sector:

Game Development
Animation
Virtual Reality (VR)
Augmented Reality (AR)
Entertainment Technology

Deadline:

Application Deadline: May 2, 2025

Apply Now : https://sayuj.net/apply-contest/octane-aizawl-ocp1

9. Telangana AI Rising Grand Challenge 2025

Description:

The Telangana AI Rising Grand Challenge is an initiative by the Government of Telangana to foster innovation in artificial intelligence, addressing real-world challenges in sectors such as healthcare, education, transportation, and public services.
Winners of each use case will receive a grant and the opportunity to implement a pilot project in collaboration with the state government.

Eligibility:

Are legally registered entities in India.
Have a working prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Can demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of their AI solutions.
Are capable of deploying solutions within the state of Telangana.
Have expertise in AI/ML, data analytics, and relevant domain knowledge to address the specific problem statements.

Fund Amount:

₹15,00,000 grant per use case for pilot implementation.
Potential investment of ₹10 Crore from Peak XV Partners for scalable solutions.
Mentorship and support from industry leaders and ecosystem partners.

Sector:

Healthcare
Education
Transportation
Public Services

Deadline:

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Apply Now : https://sayuj.net/apply-contest/TelanganaAIRisingGrandChallenge

10. Open Challenge Program (OCP) – IoT in Agriculture, Guwahati CoE

Description:

The Open Challenge Program (OCP), an initiative by STPI under the OctaNE CoEs in Northeast India, focuses on fostering innovation in agriculture through IoT technologies.
The program aims to identify and reward early-stage tech entrepreneurs, providing a platform to develop solutions that address challenges in agriculture using IoT.

Eligibility:

Legal Entity & Turnover: The startup must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, Registered Partnership Firm, or Limited Liability Partnership, with registration not exceeding 10 years and an annual turnover not exceeding ₹100 crore.
Innovation Focus: The startup should be working on innovation, development, or improvement of products, services, or processes, with the potential to generate employment or create wealth.
Non-reconstruction & Registration: The startup should not be formed by splitting or reconstructing an existing business. Promoters or founders not yet incorporated can apply but must register the company within 3 months from selection.

Fund Amount:

The program offers seed funding to develop and scale IoT-based agricultural solutions, along with mentorship from experts, state-of-the-art infrastructure, technical support, and marketing support for commercialization.
Additionally, startups receive IPR facilitation for patenting, along with legal and accounting services to ensure compliance and growth. (Funding amount details not mentioned).

Sector:

Agriculture Technology (AgriTech)
Internet of Things (IoT)

Deadline:

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Apply Now : https://sayuj.net/apply-contest/Agritech-OCP-2025

11. Healthcare Incubation Program by NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore

Description:

The Healthcare Incubation Program supports early-stage healthcare startups by helping them transform innovations from prototype to market-ready solutions, offering mentorship, business development guidance, and access to resources like hospitals and labs for clinical trials.
The program aims to enhance the accessibility and affordability of healthcare in India through collaboration and support for startups.

Eligibility:

Healthcare Innovators: Individuals or teams with pioneering ideas addressing healthcare challenges through new treatments, delivery systems, or medical research.
Health Tech & Digital Health Startups: Startups using advanced technologies like telemedicine, AI diagnostics, and health data analytics to improve healthcare and patient outcomes.
Biotech & MedTech Startups: Companies focused on biotechnological advancements and medical devices for diagnostics, therapies, or patient monitoring, including drugs, vaccines, and gene therapies.

Fund Amount: