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

India currently has 10 active funding programs for AI, SaaS and enterprise startups, spanning grants, incubation, seed funds and competitions. These are offered by government bodies, academic incubators, and industry associations. The landscape includes sector-specific challenges in defence, fintech, and electronics, alongside open-ended accelerator programs. Startups in AI, SaaS and enterprise tech can access either rolling applications or fixed-deadline calls.

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Active AI, SaaS & Enterprise Grants and Programs

Women's Economic Empowerment (IIMA Ventures)

The Women's Economic Empowerment program, run by IIMA Ventures with support from the Gates Foundation, is an AI and innovation initiative. It targets technology-enabled solutions that can significantly enhance women's economic participation in developing countries. IIMA Ventures brings its incubation and accelerator network to the program, while the Gates Foundation adds a global development focus.

Selected startups can receive grant funding starting at ₹45 lakh. The program provides access to IIMA Ventures' mentorship, industry connections, and incubation resources. It is designed for ventures where AI or other advanced technologies address barriers to women's economic activity, such as access to finance, skills, or markets.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so there is no fixed deadline. Startups with a working prototype or early product that aligns with the AI and gender-lens mandate should apply through the program page.

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, founder-first program for early-stage AI and deeptech startups. The accelerator embeds with founders and operates like a co-founding partner, offering hands-on support from AI researchers, experienced entrepreneurs, and global operators across product, go-to-market, hiring, and fundraising.

ACE focuses on founders who move beyond demos and build for real customer value. The program helps sharpen the ideal customer profile, iterate products based on user feedback, launch focused go-to-market strategies, and prepare for institutional fundraising. The funding can go up to ₹90 lakh.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This is suited for early-stage AI or deeptech startups with a global product ambition.

iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway (iCreate)

The iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway is a gateway to funding and support for startups converting a proof-of-concept or prototype into a product. iCreate, a government-recognised Technology Business Incubator, provides access to schemes from institutions under the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat. The program includes business and technical mentorship, prototyping and digital innovation labs, incubation and funding support, connections with investors and industry, and hostel accommodation on campus.

Startups can receive up to ₹30 lakh in support. The program is open to technology startups, including AI, SaaS and enterprise ventures, that need assistance moving from prototype to market. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program (NASSCOM)

The Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad is a strategic virtual incubation program for early-stage, long-gestation deeptech startups. It helps ventures working on advanced and frontier technologies strengthen their technological and intellectual property capabilities, and access markets and investors. The program runs on a continuous, pipeline-based model, allowing startups to engage throughout the year rather than in fixed cohorts.

The amount of support varies depending on the startup's stage and requirements. The program is designed to strengthen India's deeptech leadership. For AI, SaaS and enterprise startups involved in complex technology development, this offers a flexible entry point with no deadline restrictions.

IHFC Startup Incubation Program (IHFC, IIT Delhi)

The IHFC Startup Incubation Program, hosted at IIT Delhi, is an intensive incubation program under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NMICPS). IHFC is a Section 8 company focused on Cyber Physical Systems, Robotics, Autonomous Systems, IoT, and AI. Startups working in these areas can access incubation support, mentorship, and potentially funding, though the amount varies.

The program aims to cultivate a globally competitive startup ecosystem in deep tech. It is open to startups at various stages, with rolling applications. AI, SaaS and enterprise startups building on CPS or IoT infrastructure are eligible.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

The Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a pre-incubation initiative by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. It focuses on startups from eastern, north-eastern and central India, though it is open to startups offering services anywhere in India. The program covers domains such as mobility convenience/assistance, technology in mobility (ADAS, V2X, EV and EV infrastructure, autonomous mobility), sustainability, social impact, and enterprise & manufacturing (process automation, computer vision, industrial IoT, GenAI).

Selected startups receive cash rewards worth up to ₹13 lakh, an opportunity for a paid proof-of-concept, mentorship from industry experts, and access to Maruti Suzuki's ecosystem and alumni network. Applications are rolling. For AI and SaaS startups building in these sectors, this is a direct route to working with a major automotive player.

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

The Swanari TechSprint 4.0 is an innovation challenge co-created by RBIH and IIMA Ventures. It leverages AI to build secure financial systems for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India. The goal is to address gaps in credit access, savings, and digital bookkeeping for SHG members, Sakhis, and women entrepreneurs. The challenge seeks scalable AI-enabled fintech solutions.

This is a competition, so the funding amount varies and is awarded to winning teams. The deadline is 15 August 2026. The program is positioned as a capacity-building movement to create resilient infrastructure for women's financial inclusion. AI, SaaS and enterprise startups with fintech products for underserved segments should consider this.

iDEX Open Challenge (iDEX)

The iDEX Open Challenge is a flagship initiative by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and iDEX. It targets next-generation engineers, startups, and MSMEs working on solutions for defence and aerospace. Focus areas include autonomous systems, intelligent machines, advanced materials, predictive algorithms, and rocket engines. The challenge aims to bridge India's engineering talent with military needs.

Selected proposals can receive up to ₹1.5 crore. The deadline is 30 September 2026. For AI, SaaS and enterprise startups with dual-use technology, this is a high-value opportunity to engage with India's defence ecosystem.

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

The Open Challenge Program 8.0 by Electropreneur Park Bhubaneswar is a flagship initiative in India's Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) sector. Established by STPI with support from MeitY and the Government of Odisha, the program targets startups developing solutions in semiconductor design, AI, IoT, robotics, embedded systems, smart cities, agritech, disastertech, PCB design, and computer vision.

The program provides support up to ₹25 lakh. The deadline is 9 August 2026—the next day after this article's publication. Startups in the ESDM space with an AI or SaaS angle should act immediately.

CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection (NASSCOM CoE-IoT&AI)

The CoE Innovation Challenge by nasscom CoE-IoT&AI, in collaboration with MeitY and state governments, focuses on solving real-world industrial problems. The current challenge, developed with a major port terminal operator, asks deep-tech startups to detect foreign objects in deep vessel holds during bulk cargo unloading. The lack of visibility in 18-19 meter deep holds leads to equipment damage and safety risks.

The challenge is open to startups with AI, computer vision, or sensor-based solutions. The funding amount varies. Applications are rolling. This is a niche but clearly defined problem statement for AI startups in the industrial sector.

Before Applying

Before applying, note that some programs have eligibility constraints. Maruti Suzuki NURTURE prioritizes startups from eastern, north-eastern and central India, though it accepts applications from anywhere. iDEX Open Challenge is open to startups, MSMEs, and individual innovators in defence and aerospace. OCP 8.0 is restricted to the ESDM sector, including semiconductor design, IoT, and embedded systems. Swanari TechSprint 4.0 specifically targets solutions for women Self-Help Groups and will require alignment with RBIH's existing framework.

On deadlines, the closest is OCP 8.0 on 9 August 2026, followed by Swanari TechSprint 4.0 on 15 August 2026. iDEX Open Challenge runs until 30 September 2026. The other programs accept applications on a rolling basis, but some, like the Nasscom and IIMA Ventures programs, may operate in cohorts with internal review dates. Check the individual program pages for the latest application status.