StartupGrants India

Ai grants & funding

Browse grants and funding programs matching "ai" across India. Filter by stage, sector, amount, and eligibility — updated weekly.

About StartupGrantsIndia

StartupGrantsIndia is India's largest independent directory of startup grants, government schemes, accelerators, incubation programs, CSR funds, and seed funding for Indian founders — covering DPIIT-recognised programs, state startup policies, central ministry schemes (BIRAC, DST, MeitY, MoFPI, NABARD), and corporate CSR pools in one searchable place.

We track 400+ active programs across every stage, sector, and state so Indian founders spend less time searching and more time building. Our database is updated regularly by a team that monitors DPIIT announcements, state government portals, CSR disclosures, and accelerator cohort launches.

We are a private platform and are not affiliated with any government body, ministry, or public institution. Listing on our platform does not constitute endorsement of any program.

Startup grants are non-dilutive funding — unlike VC or angel investment you don't give up equity, and unlike a loan you don't repay. They are awarded by central and state governments, public-sector bodies, corporates (via CSR), universities, and international foundations to fund R&D, prototyping, pilots, hiring, and go-to-market.

Most programs ask for your incorporation and DPIIT documents, a pitch deck or detailed project report, and basic financials, then evaluate on problem clarity, traction, team, and measurable impact. Government grants usually disburse in milestone-based tranches over 2–6 months, while CSR and competition awards are typically faster — so it pays to run several applications in parallel, like a funding pipeline.

Have a program to list, a deal to feature, or want to reach India's most active startup founders? Get in touch →

Frequently asked questions

What are startup grants, and how are they different from loans or equity?

Grants are non-repayable, non-dilutive funds from governments, corporates (CSR), universities, and international bodies. Unlike a loan you don't repay them; unlike equity you don't give up ownership. They typically fund R&D, prototyping, pilots, hiring, or go-to-market.

Who is eligible for startup grants in India?

It varies by program, but most central government grants expect DPIIT recognition; others look for MSME/Udyam registration, a registered entity (Pvt Ltd, LLP, etc.), or a specific stage or sector. Several schemes are reserved for women founders, students, or social enterprises.

What's the difference between government, CSR, and international grants?

Government grants (DST, BIRAC, MeitY, state councils) offer the largest tickets but take longer and need more compliance. Corporate CSR grants are faster and favour social impact. International grants from global foundations and agencies fund scalable solutions to global problems, sometimes with extra requirements like FCRA.

Do I have to repay a grant if my startup fails?

In most cases no — grants are non-repayable by design. But misusing funds or failing to file utilisation and expenditure reports can trigger a clawback or block future eligibility, and milestone-based grants may stop further tranches if deliverables are missed.

What documents do I usually need to apply?

Certificate of incorporation and DPIIT certificate, company PAN and GST (if applicable), a pitch deck or detailed project report, financials or projections, founder KYC, and a product demo or prototype. Keeping a master folder updated quarterly cuts application time dramatically.

How current is the data on Startup Grants India?

We track 400+ active programs and update regularly by monitoring DPIIT announcements, state portals, CSR disclosures, and accelerator cohorts. Always confirm the final details on the official program portal before you apply.

Is Startup Grants India a government website?

No. We are a private, independent platform and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any government body, ministry, or public institution. We aggregate publicly available information to make India's grant ecosystem easy to discover — verify official details on the respective government portal.