BIRAC LEAP Fund at Venture Center
Under BIRAC LEAP Fund (Leveraging & Accelerating Pharmaceutical Innovations) by Venture Center
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Quick Answer
The BIRAC LEAP Fund at Venture Center provides equity investment of up to ₹1 crore for innovation-led biotech and deeptech startups to accelerate commercialization of new technologies.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹1 Cr
- Funding type
- Equity
- Provider
- Venture Center
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 27 February 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Venture Center. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this funding program
The BIRAC LEAP (Launching Entrepreneurial Driven Affordable Products) Fund at Venture Center is designed to catalyse promising, innovation-led startups and accelerate their journey from lab to market. Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Development Center (Venture Center) under the BIRAC LEAP scheme, the fund aims to support startups in piloting, validation, and commercialization of new and meritorious technologies.
The program provides capital assistance of up to ₹100 lakh per startup to reduce the gestation period for commercialization and enable faster real-world impact. The fund emphasizes biotech, biomed, and science-driven deeptech ventures with strong intellectual property and knowledge components. It prioritizes product-focused enterprises over service-based models.
The fund operates on an equity investment model and encourages co-investment from other investors. Selected startups become part of the Venture Center ecosystem, gaining access to mentors, innovation programs, networks, board-level advisory support, branding opportunities, and guidance for future fundraising rounds.
The initiative is supported by partners including DST-NSTEDB (GoI), BIRAC (GoI), DPIIT/Startup India Seed Fund (GoI), and TDB (GoI).
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Go Premium to view.
Funding providers
Venture Center is a not-for-profit technology business incubator in Pune, hosted by CSIR's National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) on its 100-acre Innovation Park. Registered legally as Entrepreneurship Development Center, it is sector agnostic but concentrates on science-based…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹1 Cr
What You Get
Selected startups receive up to ₹1 crore in equity capital, along with access to the Venture Center ecosystem including mentorship, innovation programs, board-level advisory, branding opportunities, and guidance for future fundraising rounds. The fund operates on an equity investment model and encourages co-investment.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum funding amount?
Up to ₹1 crore per startup.
What type of funding is provided?
Equity investment. Founders must be willing to share equity.
Which sectors are eligible?
Biotech, biomed, and science-driven deeptech ventures with strong intellectual property and knowledge components. The scheme prioritizes product-focused enterprises over service-based models.
Is the scheme currently open for applications?
The scheme appears to be closed. The application form is no longer accepting responses.
What are the ownership requirements?
At least 51% ownership must be held by Indian citizens (OCI/PIO not included). The startup must be registered as a private limited company or be in the process of registration.
What support does the Venture Center ecosystem provide?
Access to mentors, innovation programs, networks, board-level advisory support, branding opportunities, and guidance for future fundraising rounds.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
