AI, SaaS & Enterprise Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — June 2026

For Indian startups in the AI, SaaS, and Enterprise sectors, June 2026 presents eight active opportunities for funding and strategic support. These programs include government-backed grants, incubator-led seed funds, venture accelerators, and high-stakes international competitions designed to scale technology-driven businesses.

The current landscape offers a mix of public and private initiatives. Government-recognized incubators like iCreate and NERVE CoE provide access to state and central schemes, while institutional players like IIMA Ventures and PIEDS BITS Pilani leverage their academic and industry networks. Additionally, corporate venture units and global competitions offer distinct pathways to capital and market access.

Active AI, SaaS & Enterprise Grants and Programs

Program	Type	Deadline	Funding
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support	Grant/Incubation	Rolling	Up to ₹30 Lakh
GRO8 Cohort 2 by 888VC	Grant/Incubation	Rolling	Up to ₹4.2 Crore
SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund for Innovation at PIEDS BITS Pilani	Grant/Incubation	19 June 2026	Up to ₹50 Lakh
Women's Economic Empowerment	Grant/Incubation	Rolling	From ₹45 Lakh
BMW Group Startup Garage	Grant/Incubation	Rolling	Varies
Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur	Competition	15 July 2026	Up to ₹50 Lakh
SLINGSHOT 2026 Deep Tech Startup Pitching Competition	Competition	30 June 2026	Up to ₹2.97 Crore
Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park	Competition	Rolling	Up to ₹13 Lakh

iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway (iCreate)

The iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support program is designed for early-stage startups needing to transition a proof-of-concept or prototype into a market-ready product. As a government-recognized Technology Business Incubator, iCreate provides access to various funding schemes from both the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat, with potential support of up to ₹30 lakh.

Beyond capital, the program offers business and technical mentorship, access to prototyping labs, and incubation facilities on the iCreate campus. Participants gain connections to a broader ecosystem of investors and industry partners. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing startups to apply when their technology reaches the required stage of development.

GRO8 Cohort 2 (888VC)

GRO8 Cohort 2 by 888VC is a 12-week AI-enabled venture accelerator focused on integrating artificial intelligence into core startup operations. The program moves beyond ideation to provide execution-focused support in areas like strategy, sales, finance, and product development. It is well-suited for SaaS and enterprise startups looking to leverage AI for operational efficiency and scale.

Each participating startup receives a minimum direct investment of $25,000, with standout companies eligible for $50,000-$100,000 and potential follow-on seed funding up to $500,000 (approximately ₹4.2 crore). The program also includes GTM strategy development, investor readiness support, and access to a startup kit valued at $60,000. Intake is on a rolling basis for cohorts of 12 startups.

SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund (PIEDS BITS Pilani)

The SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund for Innovation is an early-stage funding initiative by the Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) at BITS Pilani. It is specifically aimed at high-potential, innovation-driven startups founded by current BITS Pilani students or recent alumni. The program provides up to ₹50 lakh to help startups validate ideas, build prototypes, and accelerate initial commercialization.

This fund offers a combination of non-matching and matching funding, providing strong institutional backing while encouraging startups to secure external investment. For eligible enterprise tech startups emerging from the BITS Pilani ecosystem, this program presents a direct funding channel. The application deadline is fast approaching on June 19, 2026.

Women's Economic Empowerment (IIMA Ventures)

Supported by the Gates Foundation, the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) program is an AI and innovation initiative from IIMA Ventures, the incubator at IIM Ahmedabad. The program targets technology-enabled solutions that can significantly advance women's economic empowerment, making it a relevant opportunity for AI and SaaS startups building platforms for this demographic.

With funding starting from ₹45 lakh, the initiative leverages the institutional network of IIMA to support startups poised for high social impact. The program's focus on technology and innovation makes it suitable for enterprise software companies creating tools that align with its mission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

BMW Group Startup Garage (BMW Group)

The BMW Group Startup Garage operates as a venture client unit, integrating advanced startup solutions into BMW's business operations. Instead of direct investment, this program offers startups the opportunity to become a supplier and secure paid projects to solve specific challenges within the automotive giant. This is ideal for enterprise SaaS and AI startups whose technology is applicable to manufacturing, supply chain, mobility services, or corporate processes.

Each year, the Startup Garage evaluates over 1,000 startups and runs more than 35 through its program, with over half securing follow-up paid projects. For a B2B startup, this provides a direct path to a major enterprise client. The program accepts applications continuously.

Open Challenge Program at NERVE CoE, Nagpur

The Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur is an 18-month deep tech incubation program supported by MeitY. It is designed for AI and DeepTech startups in sectors such as HealthTech, AgriTech, Forestry, and Mining. Enterprise SaaS startups operating in these domains can benefit from the program's unique offerings.

Participants receive access to dedicated AI and GPU compute infrastructure, expert mentoring on product validation and unit economics, and seed funding of up to ₹50 lakh. The program also provides go-to-market support through enterprise introductions and assistance with IPR filing. The deadline to apply for this cohort-based program is July 15, 2026.

SLINGSHOT 2026 Deep Tech Competition (Enterprise Singapore)

SLINGSHOT 2026 is a prominent deep tech startup pitching competition in Asia, held in Singapore as part of SWITCH. It is open to startups across five domains, including 'Advanced Computing & Intelligence' and 'Digital Technologies & Security,' which directly align with the AI and SaaS sectors. The competition offers a total grant prize pool of over S$2.2 million (approximately ₹16.34 crore).

The Grand Winner receives a grant prize of S$400,000 (around ₹2.97 crore), with significant prizes for runners-up and finalists. The top 50 global startups receive a sponsored trip to Singapore to compete. This opportunity provides both non-dilutive funding and significant international exposure. The final day for applications is June 30, 2026.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

The Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a pre-incubation program for early-stage startups, run jointly by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. While it has a focus on startups from eastern, north-eastern, and central India, it is open to companies offering services nationwide. The program targets specific domains relevant to enterprise tech, including process automation, computer vision, industrial IoT, and GenAI.

Startups selected for the program can receive cash rewards worth ₹13 lakh, an opportunity for a paid Proof of Concept (PoC) with Maruti Suzuki, mentorship from industry experts, and access to the company's extensive ecosystem. Applications for this cohort are accepted on a rolling basis.

Before Applying

When evaluating these opportunities, founders should note specific eligibility criteria. The SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund, for instance, is exclusively for startups founded by BITS Pilani students or recent alumni. Similarly, the Maruti Suzuki NURTURE program gives preference to startups from eastern, north-eastern, and central India, though it is open to others. Other programs like NERVE CoE are looking for startups within particular deep tech sub-sectors such as AgriTech or HealthTech.

Urgency is a key factor for several time-bound programs. The SMT. Raj Kumari Jain Seed Fund closes first on June 19, followed by the SLINGSHOT 2026 competition on June 30, and the NERVE CoE Open Challenge Program on July 15. In contrast, programs from iCreate, 888VC, IIMA Ventures, BMW Group, and Maruti Suzuki operate on a rolling intake, allowing for more flexible application timelines. Startups should prioritize their applications based on these deadlines and their own development stage.