SISFSCentral governmentOngoingFunding & grants

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

Early-stage funding for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation — routed through selected incubators.

Support Grant / seed funding

Maximum benefitUp to ₹20 lakh grant + up to ₹50 lakh debt

Who can applyDPIIT-recognised startups

Last dateOpen all year

Overview

Early-stage funding for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation — routed through selected incubators.

Why it matters for founders

Use this scheme together with other Startup India and MSME benefits. Our community experts can help you prepare documents and a strong application.

Who can apply

DPIIT-recognised startups

Business stage

Idea / prototypeEarly stage (0–2 yrs)

Sectors

All sectors

Key benefits

Grant of up to ₹20 lakh for proof of concept, prototype development or product trials

Up to ₹50 lakh through convertible debentures or debt-linked instruments for market entry and scale-up

Access to incubator mentoring, labs and investor networks

Eligibility

DPIIT-recognised startup, incorporated not more than 2 years ago at the time of application
A business idea to develop a product or service with market fit and viable commercialisation
Uses technology in its core product, business model, distribution or solution
Should not have received more than ₹10 lakh of monetary support under any other central or state scheme
Shareholding by Indian promoters should be at least 51% at the time of application

Check which schemes fit you

How to apply

1
Get DPIIT recognition on the Startup India portal
2
Log in to seedfund.startupindia.gov.in and complete your profile
3
Choose up to 3 incubators and submit the application with your pitch deck
4
Present to the incubator's seed management committee
5
On approval, sign the agreement and receive funds in milestone-based tranches

Apply on the official portal

Documents required

DPIIT recognition certificate
Certificate of incorporation
Pitch deck and business plan
Details of the founding team
Bank account details of the startup

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Startup India Seed Fund Scheme?

DPIIT-recognised startup, incorporated not more than 2 years ago at the time of application

Where do I apply?

Apply through the official website (https://seedfund.startupindia.gov.in/). We never charge for scheme applications.

Is the information on this page official?

It is compiled from official sources for guidance. Limits and dates change, so always confirm on the official website before applying.

Information compiled from official sources for guidance only. Limits, eligibility and deadlines are decided by the government and may change — always verify on the official website (seedfund.startupindia.gov.in) before applying.

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