Food & Beverage Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — October 2026

As of October 2026, Indian Food & Beverage startups can access 10 active grants, incubation programs, and innovation competitions. These programs provide capital, mentorship, and infrastructure support to foster growth across the sector. The funding landscape for Food & Beverage ventures in India is characterized by significant government investment through large-scale schemes, complemented by institutional programs and competitive challenges. These initiatives aim to drive innovation, enhance infrastructure, and support entrepreneurial efforts from micro-enterprises to advanced tech solutions.

Active Food & Beverage Grants and Programs

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (DAHD)The PMMSY — Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is a flagship scheme from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) with an outlay of ₹20,050 crore for the fisheries sector, running from 2020–26. This program offers substantial subsidies: 40% of the project cost for the General category, and 60% for SC/ST/Women entrepreneurs.The scheme covers a broad range of activities essential for the fisheries value chain, including aquaculture ponds, biofloc units, hatcheries, and brood banks. It also supports advanced methods like cage culture and seaweed farming, as well as infrastructure such as fishing vessels, cold chains, ice plants, and fish feed mills.Food & Beverage startups focused on fish processing, value-addition, and retail fish kiosks can leverage this scheme to establish or upgrade their operations. The program aims to modernize and expand India's fisheries sector, ensuring food security and economic growth.## PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (MoFPI)The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) offers the PMFME — PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises scheme. This program provides a 35% credit-linked capital subsidy, capped at ₹10 lakh, for individual micro food-processing units seeking to upgrade existing facilities or establish new ones.Beyond capital subsidy, PMFME extends additional support including branding and marketing grants up to ₹50,000 for Self Help Groups (SHGs), and common infrastructure grants for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives. District Resource Persons offer DPR (Detailed Project Report) preparation and handholding support. The scheme operates under a One District One Product (ODOP) approach, encouraging specialization and economies of scale.## Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (MoFPI)Also from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the PMKSY — Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana is an umbrella scheme designed to create modern infrastructure for food processing. It facilitates grants up to ₹50 crore.The scheme incorporates several sub-schemes to bolster the food processing ecosystem:<ul><li>Mega Food Parks: Provides grants up to ₹50 crore per park for creation of large-scale food processing infrastructure.</li><li>Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure: Offers 35%–50% grant of the eligible project cost for cold chain facilities.</li><li>Agro-Processing Clusters: Supports setting up of agro-processing clusters with grants up to ₹10 crore per cluster.</li><li>Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities (Unit Scheme): Grants for individual processing units.</li></ul>This broad program covers a diverse range of F&B products, including fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat/poultry/fishery, Ready-To-Eat (RTE)/Ready-To-Cook (RTC) foods, cereals, spices, honey, and beverages.## Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (DAHD)The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) operates the AHIDF — Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, a ₹29,610 crore fund. This fund offers a 3% interest subvention on loans for projects related to dairy processing and value-addition infrastructure, meat processing and value-addition infrastructure, and animal feed plants.Loans covered under this fund can extend up to ₹50 crore per project, with 90% typically financed by banks and 10% as promoter contribution. The loan tenure can be up to 8 years, including a 2-year moratorium period, providing financial flexibility for large-scale F&B infrastructure development in these sub-sectors.## Patent Reimbursement Incentives (KBITS, Government of Karnataka)The Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS), under the Government of Karnataka, offers Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy. This program is specifically for incubated startups officially registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. It aims to reduce the financial burden associated with securing intellectual property rights, providing up to ₹10,00,000 in reimbursement.Food & Beverage startups in Karnataka with novel processes, formulations, or technologies can utilize this incentive to protect their innovations. This support helps maintain a competitive advantage by securing patents for unique products or methods developed within the state's startup ecosystem.## Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 (EarthON Foundation)The Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026, an initiative by EarthON Foundation, Greenovation Hub, and SwitchON Foundation, seeks innovations that advance circularity across waste streams in India. This competition offers funding up to ₹4,00,00,000 for successful solutions.The challenge specifically targets startups, SMEs, and social enterprises with solutions for plastic, textile, and food waste. F&B startups focusing on food waste recovery, reuse, and recycling can benefit significantly. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2026.## FICCI Agri Innovation Hackathon 2026 (FICCI)The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), in partnership with Pioneer, organizes the FICCI Agri Innovation Hackathon 2026. This national platform provides up to ₹15,00,000 to promising agri startups.The hackathon identifies and supports technology-led breakthroughs to address challenges in Indian agriculture. F&B startups focused on upstream agriculture, supply chain efficiency, crop management, or other agri-tech solutions that impact food production and processing can find support here to scale their high-impact solutions.## The Liveability Challenge 2027 (Temasek Foundation)Presented by Temasek Foundation and organized by Eco-Business, The Liveability Challenge 2027 is Asia’s largest sustainability solutions platform. The tenth edition for 2027 offers a record pool of more than S$5.5 million (approximately ₹7,50,57,000) and launched on 10 September 2026.The challenge connects innovators with funding and market pathways for high-potential climate and sustainability solutions. F&B startups developing solutions for decarbonization within food systems, sustainable food production (Cool Earth theme), or ocean-based food innovations (new Oceans theme) are relevant. The application deadline is 12 February 2027.## Indian Innovation Icons 2027 (Marico Innovation Foundation)The Marico Innovation Foundation's Indian Innovation Icons 2027 is a biennial program, with its 11th edition slated for 2027. This program is for founders and innovators tackling real-world problems, applicable to both for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations.This program does not offer a direct cash prize or take equity. Instead, winners receive a one-hour strategic diagnosis session with Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico Limited, and six months of customized mentorship from Marico's senior leadership across various functions. It also provides introductions to venture capital firms, grant makers, corporate partners, national media visibility, executive presence coaching, and long-term strategic guidance within the Marico Innovation Foundation ecosystem. Food & Beverage startups with innovative solutions addressing market gaps or social challenges are eligible.## Social Alpha SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program (Social Alpha)Social Alpha's Social Alpha SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program is a lab-to-market platform for SpaceTech startups and entrepreneurs, supported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). While primarily focused on SpaceTech, its applications extend to food security, sustainable agriculture, environmental monitoring, and natural resource management.Selected startups gain access to pooled testing and validation infrastructure, R&D support, and curated go-to-market programs. Mentors include subject matter experts, and support includes co-founder clinics, product development, GTM assistance, and opportunities for international collaborations. Selected winners may also secure seed investment through syndicated capital. F&B startups leveraging space science or technology for agricultural optimization, resource management, or food security solutions can explore this specialized program.## Before ApplyingSeveral programs outlined here have specific eligibility criteria. Startups considering the Patent Reimbursement Incentives must be incubated and officially registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. The PMFME scheme is primarily for individual micro food-processing units. Programs like PMMSY and AHIDF are sector-specific, targeting fisheries and animal husbandry infrastructure, respectively, while Social Alpha SpIN focuses on SpaceTech applications, albeit with relevance to food security.The deadlines for these opportunities vary, necessitating careful planning. The Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 has a near-term closing date of 31 October 2026, and The Liveability Challenge 2027 accepts applications until 12 February 2027. Many government schemes, including PMMSY, PMFME, PMKSY, and AHIDF, operate on a rolling basis, allowing continuous application, while competitive programs like Indian Innovation Icons 2027 and FICCI Agri Innovation Hackathon 2026 typically involve cohort-based selections, even with unspecified deadlines.