AI, SaaS & Enterprise Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — October 2026
For AI, SaaS, and Enterprise startups in India, October 2026 presents diverse funding and support opportunities. This article details 10 active programs, including grants, seed investments, incubation, and challenges tailored for technological innovation and growth in these sectors.
This month, 10 distinct programs are open for AI, SaaS, and Enterprise startups across India, encompassing grants, seed funds, incubation initiatives, and targeted competitions.
The funding landscape for these technology sectors in India features support from government bodies, established incubators, and venture capital firms. These programs offer capital injection, strategic mentorship, and market access, designed to facilitate early-stage development and market penetration for innovative solutions.
Active AI, SaaS & Enterprise Grants and Programs
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support | Grant | Rolling | ₹2 L – ₹3 Cr |
| NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program | Grant | Rolling | Varies |
| Soma Fellows | Equity | Rolling | ₹9 Cr – ₹180 Cr |
| Pre Seed Fund | Equity | Rolling | ₹90 Cr |
| The Forum Accelerator | Equity | Rolling | ₹9 Cr |
| Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park | Competition | Rolling | ₹1.3 Cr |
| CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program | Competition | Rolling | ₹10 Cr |
| Social Alpha SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027 | Competition | 15 Oct 2026 | ₹30,000 – ₹1.5 L |
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)
iCreate, a government-recognised Technology Business Incubator, offers the iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support program. It is designed for startups with a proof-of-concept (PoC) or prototype that need funding and comprehensive assistance to develop a successful product.
Startups can access various schemes from both the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat, with funding available up to ₹30,00,000. Beyond capital, the program provides business and technical mentorship, access to prototyping and digital innovation labs, incubation support, and connections within the investor, industry, and startup ecosystems. Hostel accommodation on the iCreate campus is also available.
NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program (NASSCOM)
The NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program is a subsidized zero-equity incubation initiative for technology startups focused on IoT and Artificial Intelligence. Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Haryana through Hartron, this program accelerates product development and technical validation.
Participants gain access to a subsidized co-working environment and advanced prototyping labs. The program also provides shared complimentary GPU access, enabling AI-focused startups to train and test computational models effectively. It prioritizes infrastructure, ecosystem integration, and enterprise access over direct grant capital.
Soma Fellows (Soma)
Soma, an investment firm with a track record in building and investing in startups, operates the Soma Fellows program. This initiative offers uncapped funding to founders, with initial investments potentially reaching up to ₹18,60,00,000.
Soma Fellows provides strategic guidance derived from years of direct involvement in startup growth and investment. The program leverages Soma's global network and experience, which includes seeding over 30 unicorn companies across various technology sectors, positioning it as a resource for founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
Pre Seed Fund (Forum Ventures)
Forum Ventures, a venture capital firm, manages a Pre Seed Fund specifically for B2B technology startups, with a focus on B2B SaaS and AI companies. This fund provides up to ₹9,00,00,000 in investment.
The program offers hands-on support, strategic guidance, and industry expertise to founders. It aims to integrate startups into a supportive ecosystem, enabling them to drive innovation, validate market fit, and build scalable solutions in the B2B software space.
The Forum Accelerator (Forum Ventures)
The Forum Accelerator by Forum Ventures is a B2B tech program for early-stage B2B software companies. Designed by experienced founders and early operators, it offers a comprehensive support system tailored to the specific needs of its portfolio companies.
Acting as a “fractional co-founder,” Forum Ventures provides guidance to help startups achieve traction and prepare for subsequent funding rounds. The program provides up to ₹90,00,000 in funding and focuses on equipping founders with specialized knowledge and networks crucial for enterprise sales and growth.
Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP)
Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a joint pre-incubation initiative by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP). While focused on Eastern, North-Eastern, and Central India, it is open to startups offering services anywhere in the country.
The program targets early-stage startups in domains such as Mobility Convenience/Assistance, Tech in Mobility (ADAS, V2X, EV & EV infrastructure, autonomous mobility), Sustainability, Social Impact, and Enterprise & Manufacturing (process automation, computer vision, industrial IoT, GenAI). Benefits include cash rewards worth ₹13,00,000, opportunities for paid Proof of Concept (PoC), mentorship, and access to Maruti Suzuki's ecosystem.
CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders (nasscom CoE – IoT & AI)
The CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders is presented by the nasscom Centre of Excellence for IoT & AI. This initiative, supported by MeitY and state governments, targets deep-tech startups to address industrial challenges.
The current challenge, developed with a major port terminal operator, focuses on improving safety and efficiency in bulk cargo handling. It seeks advanced AI-powered solutions for detecting foreign objects within deep vessel holds during coal unloading. The program offers engagement with industry partners to develop and validate real-world solutions.
Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program (NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore)
The Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program is a 6-month initiative by NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, and Maruti Suzuki India Limited. It aims to accelerate technology and mobility startups transforming the automotive sector.
The program supports ventures from the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or paid pilot stage up to growth and scale. It fosters innovation in areas such as electric vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems, data analytics, and sustainable manufacturing, with funding opportunities up to ₹1,00,00,000.
Social Alpha SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program (Social Alpha)
The Social Alpha SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program is India's lab-to-market platform for SpaceTech entrepreneurs, backed by ISRO. It addresses the need to leverage space science and technology across various sectors.
SpIN catalyzes innovation and entrepreneurship in deep science and SpaceTech. The platform offers a comprehensive support ecosystem, including access to infrastructure, mentorship, and industry connections. It focuses on applications relevant to aviation, maritime and land transportation, urban planning, mapping, disaster management, food security, sustainable agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027 (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports)
The Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027, part of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue 2027, is an initiative by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. It provides a platform for Indian citizens aged 18-35 to develop innovative solutions.
The challenge guides participants from ideation to national impact, addressing social challenges in themes such as healthcare, education, agriculture, environment, women empowerment, governance, and accessibility. Participants can receive up to ₹1,50,000 in support.
Before Applying
Eligibility for these programs varies by focus and stage. For instance, the Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4, while open to services nationwide, prioritizes startups from Eastern, North-Eastern, and Central India working in specific domains including Enterprise & Manufacturing. The Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL program targets ventures at the MVP or paid pilot stage focused on mobility. The Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027 is open to Indian citizens aged 18-35, while NASSCOM CoE Gurugram focuses on IoT and AI startups.
Applicants should note the specific deadline for the Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027, which closes on 15 October 2026. Most other programs, such as those from iCreate, Soma, Forum Ventures, NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram, and Social Alpha SpIN, operate on a rolling application basis or do not specify hard deadlines, indicating continuous intake or cohort announcements at different times.
