Startup India Seed Fund Scheme 2026: Up to ₹50 Lakh Financial Support, Eligibility & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

Launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with an outlay of ₹945 Crore, the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) supports budding entrepreneurs across India. The programme acts as a vital bridge, enabling early-stage ventures to develop proof of concept, complete prototype testing, and scale commercially so they can subsequently attract venture capital, angel investment, or bank loans. It operates on a sector-agnostic model without making physical incubation mandatory, allowing founders to apply to up to three incubators simultaneously.

Benefits

• Up to ₹20 Lakhs as a grant for validation of Proof of Concept, prototype development, or product trials, released in milestone-based instalments.
• Up to ₹50 Lakhs of investment for market entry, commercialisation, or scaling up via convertible debentures, debt, or debt-linked instruments.
• Unsecured debt funding with no promoter or third-party guarantee required.
• Favourable debt terms with an interest rate not exceeding the prevailing repo rate, a tenure of up to 60 months (5 years), and a moratorium of up to 12 months.
• For grants, the first instalment is released within 60 days from the receipt of the startup's application.
• Zero application or processing fees charged by the portal or the incubators at any stage.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• The applicant must be a DPIIT-recognised startup incorporated not more than 2 years ago at the time of application.
• Must have a viable business idea to develop a product or service with market fit, commercial potential, and scaling scope.
• Must be using technology in the core product, service, business model, distribution model, or problem-solving methodology.
• Indian promoters must hold at least 51% shareholding in the startup at the time of application as per the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018.
• The startup must not have received more than ₹10 lakhs of monetary support under any other Central or State Government scheme (excluding prize money, subsidized workspaces, founder monthly allowances, or lab/prototyping facility access).
• Individual entrepreneurs are not eligible; the entity must be a recognised startup.
• Preference is given to startups building innovative solutions in impact sectors such as social impact, waste management, water management, healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, mobility, and defence.

Who cannot apply

• Sole proprietorships and public limited companies are excluded.
• Entities incorporated more than 2 years prior to the application date.
• Startups that have already received more than ₹10 lakhs in financial assistance from other Central or State Government schemes.
• Entities with less than 51% Indian promoter shareholding.
• Businesses formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business entity.
• Seed funds cannot be utilized for the creation of any facilities.

Documents required

• Board resolution, Authorization Letter, or Power of Attorney (PoA)
• PAN Card of the entity
• GST number
• Aadhaar Card
• Company bank account details
• Certificate of Incorporation or Registered Partnership Deed
• Financial statements
• A video pitch describing the startup's product, service, or business model

How to apply

1. 1Visit the official Startup India Seed Fund portal at https://seedfund.startupindia.gov.in/.
2. 2Click on the 'Apply Now' button on the homepage and choose the option for startups.
3. 3Log in using the existing login credentials from your DPIIT startup recognition process.
4. 4Fill out the online application form with project details, team profile, market size, and fund requirements.
5. 5Select up to three approved incubators in order of preference to evaluate your proposal.
6. 6Upload the required video pitch and documents, then submit the application online without needing any physical paperwork.

Frequently asked questions