Grant · India

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)

DPIIT scheme that funds early startups through selected incubators: up to ₹20 lakh grant for proof of concept and up to ₹50 lakh via convertible debentures or debt. Startup applications closed on 31 May 2026.

Closed Run by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India

Visit the programme's site

Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding: not published Up to ₹20 lakh grant for proof of concept, prototype development or product trials, and up to ₹50 lakh investment for market entry, commercialisation or scaling through convertible debentures, debt or debt-linked instruments; disbursed by selected incubators in milestone-based instalments
Instrument: not published
Equity taken: not published
Programme fee: No fee Incubators may not charge startups selected under the scheme any fees
Duration: not published
Cohort size: not published
Cohorts: not published
Delivery: Remote
Stages: Pre-seed, seed
Sectors: Sector-agnostic
Open to founders from: India
Perks: not published

Startups apply on the Startup India portal and name up to three participating incubators in order of preference; the incubator's seed management committee selects within 45 days. Debt is at no more than the repo rate, tenure up to 60 months, with up to 12 months moratorium. The June 2026 government playbook says the last date for startups to apply was 31 May 2026 and disbursals are ongoing.

Application dates

ClosedFinal date for startup applications

Who can apply

DPIIT-recognised startup
Incorporated not more than 2 years before applying
Uses technology in its core product, service or business model
No more than ₹10 lakh received under other Central or State Government schemes
Indian promoters hold at least 51% of shares
Stage: pre-seed, seed

What founders should check

The programme does not publish how much equity it takes. Ask before you accept a place.
It charges no programme fee.
It runs remotely. Check the time zone of live sessions.
The last window we track closed on 31 May 2026. Dates for the next cohort are not published yet.

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