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

As of August 2026, at least 10 active grants, incubators, and competitions are open to AI, SaaS, and enterprise startups in India. They range from early-stage incubation at NASSCOM and Invention Engine to national challenges such as the Swanari TechSprint and the iDEX Open Challenge.

The funding landscape for AI, SaaS, and enterprise combines government-backed initiatives like iDEX and iCreate with institution-led accelerators and corporate innovation programs. Most awards are non-dilutive grants or competition prizes, while incubators provide mentorship and investor access. Several programs accept rolling applications, while others run fixed cohorts with named deadlines.

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Active AI, SaaS & Enterprise Grants and Programs

Women's Economic Empowerment (IIMA Ventures)

The Women's Economic Empowerment program is an AI and innovation initiative run by IIMA Ventures, with support from the Gates Foundation. It focuses on technology-enabled solutions that can enhance women's economic participation and financial independence. The program is structured as a grant/incubation hybrid, backing startups that address societal challenges through scalable technology.

Eligibility centers on early-stage ventures with a clear AI or digital component. IIMA Ventures provides incubation support, mentorship, and access to its institutional network. Funding starts at ₹45 lakh. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026 (India Accelerator)

The Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026 is funded by Schaeffler India and hosted by India Accelerator. It targets social entrepreneurs, particularly those from Tier II, Tier III, and rural India, who are developing sustainable solutions to developmental challenges. The fellowship provides mentorship, funding, and industry networks.

For AI, SaaS, and enterprise startups, the fellowship is relevant if the product addresses social or developmental outcomes, such as rural logistics, agtech, or healthcare access. Award amounts vary. Applications are rolling.

ACE $100k High-Touch AI Accelerator by Invention Engine (Invention Engine)

The ACE $100k High-Touch AI Accelerator by Invention Engine is a six-month accelerator for early-stage AI and deeptech startups. It embeds its team with founders to support product development, go-to-market, and fundraising. Startups get access to AI researchers, experienced entrepreneurs, and global operators.

Funding up to ₹90 lakh is available. The program focuses on sharpening the ideal customer profile, iterating products through user feedback, and preparing for institutional fundraising. Applications run on a rolling basis.

iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)

The iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support is a government-recognized technology business incubator that helps startups convert a proof-of-concept or prototype into a market-ready product. It provides access to funding schemes from the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat, along with business and technical mentorship, prototyping labs, and investor connections.

Startups in the AI, SaaS, and enterprise space can apply for support up to ₹30 lakh. The program also offers hostel accommodation on its campus. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program (NASSCOM)

The Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program is a virtual incubation program run by NASSCOM for early-stage, long-gestation deeptech startups. It operates as a continuous pipeline rather than fixed cohorts, allowing startups to enter when ready. The program focuses on strengthening technology and IP capabilities, and connecting startups to markets and investors.

SaaS and enterprise startups with a deep-tech core—such as AI, machine learning, computer vision, or advanced engineering—are eligible. Financial support varies depending on stage and needs. The rolling intake means there is no application deadline.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

The Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a pre-incubation initiative run jointly by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. It focuses on early-stage startups in mobility, tech in mobility, sustainability, social impact, and enterprise & manufacturing. Specific areas include ADAS, V2X, EV infrastructure, computer vision, industrial IoT, and GenAI.

Selected startups receive cash rewards worth up to ₹13 lakh, an opportunity for a paid proof-of-concept, and mentorship from industry experts. The program is open to startups across India but gives special focus to eastern, north-eastern, and central India. Applications are rolling.

Swanari TechSprint 4.0: AI for Inclusive Finance (IIMA Ventures)

The Swanari TechSprint 4.0: AI for Inclusive Finance is a national innovation challenge co-created by RBIH and IIMA Ventures. It seeks AI-enabled fintech solutions that improve credit access, savings, and digital bookkeeping for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India. The program is designed to build resilient infrastructure for financial inclusion.

This is a competition, not a grant program. Award amounts vary. The deadline is 15 August 2026.

iDEX Open Challenge (Innovations for Defence Excellence)

The iDEX Open Challenge is run by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and iDEX to source technologies for India's defence and aerospace sectors. It targets startups and MSMEs working on autonomous systems, intelligent machines, advanced materials, predictive algorithms, and rocket engines. Winning proposals can receive up to ₹1.5 crore in funding.

The challenge is competition-based, with evaluations and prototyping phases. It is open to next-generation engineers and registered companies. Submissions close on 30 September 2026.

Open Challenge Program (OCP) 8.0 - Electropreneur Park Bhubaneswar (Electropreneur Park Bhubaneswar)

The Open Challenge Program (OCP) 8.0 - Electropreneur Park Bhubaneswar is an initiative by STPI and Electropreneur Park, with support from MeitY and the Government of Odisha. It is focused on the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) sector, including semiconductor design, AI, IoT, robotics, embedded systems, smart cities, agritech, disaster tech, PCB design, and computer vision.

Startups and innovators can receive up to ₹25 lakh in support. The deadline is 9 August 2026, giving applicants one week from the date of this article to apply.

Scheme for Goa Rajya Vidnyanik Puraskar (Goa State Innovation Council)

The Scheme for Goa Rajya Vidnyanik Puraskar (GRVP) is an annual award by the Government of Goa, implemented through the Goa State Innovation Council. It recognizes innovators and scientists whose ideas have been implemented as a product or process, with awards in three categories: Innovation, Environment, and Societal Impact.

Each award carries up to ₹2 lakh in cash. The competition is open to Goan innovators and scientists. Applications are rolling, with selections made each financial year.

Before Applying

Not every program is open to all AI, SaaS, or enterprise startups. The Goa Rajya Vidnyanik Puraskar is limited to innovators from Goa, while the Swanari TechSprint is specifically for fintech solutions serving women's SHGs. The iDEX Open Challenge is confined to defence and aerospace applications, and OCP 8.0 is tied to ESDM sub-sectors. Maruti Suzuki NURTURE, while national, prioritizes startups from eastern, north-eastern, and central India.

Close deadlines matter: OCP 8.0 closes on 9 August 2026 and Swanari TechSprint 4.0 on 15 August 2026, both within two weeks. The iDEX Open Challenge has a 30 September 2026 deadline. The other seven programs accept rolling applications, but several follow a cohort or annual cycle—for example, GRVP is judged each financial year, and NASSCOM's Launchpad runs as a continuous pipeline rather than fixed cohorts.