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

As of November 2026, Indian Food & Beverage startups have access to 10 active funding and support programs. These opportunities encompass a mix of grants, seed funds, incubation initiatives, and competitive awards.

The current funding landscape for Food & Beverage ventures in India is supported by both government-backed schemes and institutional programs. Competitions also offer significant capital and visibility for innovators addressing critical challenges within the food system.

Active Food & Beverage Grants and Programs

Aarohan 7.0 (TIH IIT Bombay)

The Aarohan 7.0 – TIH IIT Bombay Seed Support Program from TIH IIT Bombay supports high-potential startups developing advanced IoT-enabled intelligent machines and systems. The program targets ventures that have validated their innovations in real-world environments and are ready for deployment and commercialization. TIH IIT Bombay, a Section 8 hub under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), aims to foster deep tech and hardware innovation.

This program provides financial backing up to ₹1,00,00,000. Startups in the Food & Beverage sector developing relevant IoT-enabled technologies for production, supply chain, or consumption can consider this opportunity. The application deadline is 22 November 2026.

Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant (Temasek Foundation)

Temasek Foundation, a Singapore philanthropy, offers an open Liveability & Sustainability Innovations Grant Call. This grant funds applied and translational research and development, along with the commercialization of innovative solutions addressing liveability and sustainability issues in Singapore, particularly in urban environments. While solutions can originate outside Singapore, the program requires that the innovation benefits Singapore or is applicable there.

Funding amounts vary and are disbursed in phases as project milestones are achieved. Projects can span up to three years. Indian Food & Beverage startups focused on sustainable practices or urban food solutions that can demonstrate relevance to Singapore's context may apply on a rolling basis, as there is no specified deadline.

WFP Innovation Accelerator (WFP Innovation Accelerator)

The WFP Innovation Accelerator, the innovation arm of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), identifies, funds, and scales innovations that address hunger, improve humanitarian response, and build resilient food systems. It maintains a rolling application pool throughout the year. Selected teams can join a six-month sprint program, receiving up to US$100,000 (approximately ₹95,00,000).

Startups, NGOs, academic institutions, and government agencies worldwide, including from India, are eligible to apply. This program is highly relevant for Food & Beverage startups innovating in areas such as food security, waste reduction, and sustainable supply chains. Applicants should check the official WFP page for the most current terms, as the page was inaccessible at the time of this write-up.

Thrive Philanthropy Thrive Grant (Thrive Philanthropy)

The Thrive Philanthropy Thrive Grant offers US$10,000 to US$30,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh to ₹28.5 lakh) to mid-size or larger organizations with a track record in building plant-based food systems. This program is for non-profit-style work. For-profit companies, including restaurants, cannot apply. While applicants from any country outside the USA are accepted, including India, most grants go to previously funded organizations.

Organizations based in Africa need an invitation or a prior Thrive grant to apply. The next submission deadline is 2 December 2026.

Thrive Philanthropy Seed Grant (Thrive Philanthropy)

Similar to its larger counterpart, the Thrive Philanthropy Seed Grant provides up to US$5,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh). It supports new or small organizations, one-time projects, and individuals outside the United States working to end factory farming and expand plant-based food systems. As with the Thrive Grant, this program is intended for non-profit activities; for-profit companies, including restaurants, are not eligible.

Applicants from any country except the USA are accepted, with specific rules for Africa-based applicants requiring an invitation or previous funding. The next deadline for this grant is 2 December 2026.

Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2027 (Singapore Management University)

The 13th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) 2027 is a deep-tech startup pitch competition organized by the Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University. It is designed for student and recent-graduate founders developing solutions for urban and sustainability challenges, a scope that includes innovative Food & Beverage technologies.

With a prize pool exceeding S$2.5 million (approximately ₹17.5 crore), the competition awards a mix of cash, investment, grants, and professional services. Fifty finalists are flown to Singapore for the Grand Finals. Applications are free and close on 31 March 2027.

Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize (Curt Bergfors Foundation)

The Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize, run by the Curt Bergfors Foundation in Sweden, is an environmental award dedicated exclusively to projects within the food system. The 2026 prize awarded US$1.5 million (about ₹14.25 crore) to the winner and US$150,000 (about ₹1.43 crore) to each finalist. It is described as the world's largest environmental award.

Nominations, including self-nominations, are open throughout the year on a rolling basis. This prize is highly relevant for Food & Beverage startups and innovators making significant contributions to sustainable and impactful food systems.

FAO Award for Innovation 2027 (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

The FAO Award for Innovation 2027 recognizes ground-breaking innovation in food and agriculture, areas central to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) mandate. The winner receives a scroll and a cash prize of US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh).

This is a nomination-based award where self-nominations or organizational nominations require a letter of support from an FAO Representative or FAO Director to be considered. The deadline for nominations is 31 December 2026.

Startup India NSA 6.0 Student Innovator Award (DPIIT)

The Startup India NSA 6.0 Student Innovator Award is part of the National Startup Awards by DPIIT. This special category targets student innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs from school-aged children to undergraduate students. It seeks to identify and promote early-stage solutions addressing real-world problems with potential for scalability and impact.

Participants are encouraged to develop prototypes, MVPs, or proofs of concept aligning with key thematic areas. Food & Beverage innovations, particularly those with a social or environmental focus, can find relevance here. The program offers recognition and cash prizes up to ₹6,00,000. Applications close on 30 November 2026.

National Startup Awards 6.0 (DPIIT)

The National Startup Awards (NSA) 6.0 is an initiative by Startup India, DPIIT, designed to identify and celebrate startups demonstrating innovation, scalability, and socio-economic impact across India. While broad in scope, Food & Beverage startups can compete in relevant categories such as Agriculture, Food Processing, or other impact-oriented sectors.

Winners undergo a multi-stage evaluation process and receive recognition, visibility, and connections. The awards include cash prizes up to ₹25,00,000. The deadline for applications is 30 November 2026.

Before Applying

Food & Beverage startups should carefully review eligibility criteria before submitting applications. Notably, the Thrive Philanthropy Thrive Grant and Seed Grant explicitly state that for-profit companies, including restaurants, cannot apply, as these programs target non-profit-style initiatives in plant-based food systems. Additionally, the FAO Award for Innovation 2027 requires a letter of support from an FAO Representative or Director if you are nominating yourself or your organization. For the Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant, solutions must benefit or be usable in Singapore, and the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition targets student and recent-graduate founders.

Several programs have approaching deadlines in November and early December 2026, including the Aarohan 7.0 Seed Support Program (22 November), Startup India NSA 6.0 Student Innovator Award (30 November), National Startup Awards 6.0 (30 November), and both Thrive Philanthropy grants (2 December). In contrast, the WFP Innovation Accelerator, Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant, and Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize operate on a rolling application or nomination basis, allowing for submissions throughout the year. The FAO Award for Innovation 2027 closes at the end of December, while the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2027 extends its deadline to March 2027.