18 Startup Grants and Seed Funds Closing This Week (7-15 September 2026)
This week presents 18 opportunities for Indian startups, including grants, seed funds, incubation programs, and competitions. Deadlines range from 7 to 15 September 2026, offering diverse support across various sectors.
Indian startup founders have 18 active programs closing between 7 and 15 September 2026. These opportunities span startup grants, seed funds, incubation programs, and competitions, catering to a wide array of technological domains and developmental stages. The opportunities are presented by organizations such as T-Works, IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, PIEDS, FIED IIM Kashipur, Startup Karnataka, Startup India, IIT Palakkad Technology IHub Foundation, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, Wellcome, and Startup Stairs, alongside several others.
At a Glance
ASTRA 1.0 (T-Works) Closes 7 September
ASTRA 1.0 (Advanced Solutions in Technology for Resilience & Autonomy) is a three-month defence technology accelerator program. It facilitates the transition of innovative prototypes into functional defence applications, spearheaded by T-Works, an initiative of the Government of Telangana.
JNTUH TBI complements the program by contributing academic and incubation expertise, providing a foundation for participant success. The program prioritises practical validation, offering startups the opportunity to test solutions in real-world defence environments, addressing the need for solutions that perform effectively in operational settings.
FEG Innovation Hackathon 2026 (T-Hub) Closes 7 September
The FEG Innovation Hackathon 2026 is an intensive two-day innovation challenge hosted in partnership with T-Hub. It unites tech builders, startups, and creative thinkers to tackle digital entertainment problems faced by Fortuna Entertainment Group (FEG).
Participants choose from three product challenges related to Session Quality & User Conversion, Native App Experience, and Game Load Time. Teams transform an idea into a working prototype within 24 hours, with mentors and technical experts available to provide guidance. Prizes of up to ₹1,00,000 are awarded.
TestAutothon 2026 (STeP-IN Forum) Closes 8 September
TestAutothon 2026 is an offline software testing hackathon organised by STeP-IN Forum in Bengaluru. The event is designed for QA professionals and automation testers to showcase their skills in a competitive, hands-on environment. It offers a total cash prize pool of ₹1,00,000.
The hackathon runs from June 1 to September 8, 2026, with the final event taking place in Bengaluru. Participants compete in software testing challenges, judged by industry experts. It is open to QA professionals, automation testers, and software testing enthusiasts, with options for individual or team participation.
TATA Social Enterprise Challenge 2026 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park) Closes 10 September
The Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC) 2026 is a national-level platform for identifying and nurturing social enterprises. Initiated jointly by Tata Sons and IIM Calcutta, the challenge promotes social entrepreneurship across India.
Beyond a competition, TSEC raises awareness about social entrepreneurship, encouraging youth to consider ventures focused on social impact. The program bridges innovative social ideas with resources, fostering an ecosystem for impact-driven businesses, with prizes up to ₹1,00,00,000.
Indradhanu: PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 (PCCOE) Closes 10 September
Indradhanu: PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 is a multi-round innovation competition organised by Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering (PCCOE), Pune. It invites undergraduate and postgraduate students in Engineering or other STEM programs to propose and develop solutions across various domains.
The competition runs from July 1, 2026, to February 15, 2027, with registration closing on September 10, 2026. Teams must include a mentor. Total prizes are up to ₹2,00,000. Participants must register on both Unstop and the official IGC website, then submit a PDF/PPT on their chosen solution.
P.A.C.E - Where Logic Meets Expression. (Coding Club of Technocrats Institute of Technology) Closes 10 September
P.A.C.E - Where Logic Meets Expression is an online coding challenge organised by the Coding Club of Technocrats Institute of Technology (Excellence), Bhopal. The event offers a platform to showcase technical prowess and analytical capabilities in a competitive environment.
Open to individual participants, including students and early-career professionals, it targets those who enjoy logical reasoning, data structures and algorithms, and critical thinking. The competition has three rounds, with a prize pool of up to ₹10,000.
TARANG 1.0 IITI DRISHTI CPS Accelerator (IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation) Closes 11 September
TARANG 1.0 (Technology Acceleration and Research Alliance for Next Gen Growth) is a Digital Healthcare Accelerator and Technology Commercialization Programme from IITI DRISHTI CPS FOUNDATION, IIT Indore. It accelerates healthcare innovations from concept to commercialization.
The program fosters collaboration between startups, innovators, researchers, healthcare institutions, and industry. It focuses on healthcare and deep-tech technologies at TRL 6 and above, providing support for technology validation, pilot deployment, regulatory enablement, industry partnerships, and investment readiness. Funding is available up to ₹1,00,00,000.
Build With Bharat 3.0 (CodeVerse, Chitkara University) Closes 11 September
Build With Bharat 3.0 is a national-level hackathon organized by CodeVerse in collaboration with Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh. It brings together developers, designers, and innovators to build technology solutions for real-world challenges.
Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across India, from all branches and specializations. Teams can have 2–5 members, with individual participation also allowed. Inter-college and inter-specialization teams are welcome. Participants can build solutions in AI/ML, Web & Mobile Development, Blockchain & Web3, Cybersecurity, and more, with prizes up to ₹40,000.
Hacktivate 2.0 (JIMSEMTC) Closes 12 September
Hacktivate 2.0 is a 36-hour national hackathon organised by JIMS Engineering Management Technical Campus (JIMSEMTC), Greater Noida. The event gathers student teams from across India to build innovative solutions across nine technology tracks.
Participants receive mentorship from industry experts. It is open to college students and early-stage tech enthusiasts across India. Teams can have 2–4 members, or solo participants may be matched. The hackathon features a substantial prize pool of up to ₹15,00,000.
Patel Innovation Fund by PIEDS (PIEDS) Closes 12 September
The Patel Innovation Fund, spearheaded by the Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) at BITS Pilani, fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. The fund seeks innovators and entrepreneurs developing impactful ideas, particularly those leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
The mission is to identify and support ventures with the potential to create real-world change and bring solutions to market. PIEDS, as the incubation arm of BITS Pilani, uses its network and academic rigor to nurture promising startups. The fund provides early-stage financial support, acting as a catalyst for startups poised for growth, with funding up to ₹5,00,000.
RKVY-RABI Program 2026, IIM Kashipur FIED (Cohort-8) Closes 13 September
The RKVY-RABI Program 2026, organized by IIM Kashipur FIED in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, bolsters the agricultural innovation ecosystem in Uttarakhand. This program specifically targets Agri-Startups operating within the state.
It provides a platform for growth and commercialization, addressing challenges faced by agri-entrepreneurs through a support system combining financial aid with strategic guidance and infrastructural resources. Participating startups undergo an intensive one-month entrepreneurship development program. Funding is available up to ₹2,50,00,000.
CALL-E: Your Code Is Calling (Devpost) Closes 14 September
CALL-E: Your Code Is Calling is a global online hackathon hosted on Devpost. It offers a prize pool of up to ₹9,20,000 for innovative projects in communication, enterprise, and machine learning/AI.
The competition invites developers, designers, and entrepreneurs worldwide to build solutions that push the boundaries of how people connect and work. It is open to individuals and teams globally, focusing on themes such as communication tools, enterprise solutions for productivity, and advancements in AI/ML.
Startup League 2026 (Startup Stairs) Closes 15 September
Startup League 2026 is India's DeepTech startup funding program, powered by Startup Stairs and backed by Startup Haryana. This national initiative aligns with Startup India and DPIIT goals, bolstering the innovation ecosystem.
The program supports Indian startups across DeepTech sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles, Drone Technology, PCB & Semiconductor, and Defence Technology. Its objective is to help early to growth stage companies secure investment, foster connections with investors, and accelerate business trajectory, with funding up to ₹10,00,00,000.
The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature (Wellcome) Closes 15 September
The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science, in partnership with Nature, champions novel interventions for anxiety, depression, and psychosis. This international prize accelerates the development, adoption, and policy prioritization of effective solutions, fostering a global ecosystem of innovation in mental health.
Organized by Wellcome, a global charitable foundation, and Nature, a science publisher, the prize leverages resources and platforms. Wellcome supports research across life, health, and wellbeing, focusing on mental health, infectious disease, and climate and health. The prize offers funding up to ₹9,52,80,000.
DISHA 3.0 — Developing Innovations for Successful Harnessing and Adoption (IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation) Closes 15 September
DISHA 3.0, an initiative by IITI DRISHTI CPS FOUNDATION at IIT Indore, is a national platform for Technology Translation, Commercialization, and Real-World Healthcare Deployment. It transforms breakthrough ideas into deployable healthcare technologies.
Targeting researchers, faculty, students, innovators, and DPIIT-recognized startups, DISHA 3.0 focuses on Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) in Digital Healthcare. This includes Medical Devices, Wearables, AI/ML, IoT & Robotics, Point-of-Care Diagnostics, and Healthcare Analytics. The program accelerates market adaptation of new technologies from academic labs, with funding up to ₹1,50,00,000.
IDFC FIRST Bank IGNITE Accelerator 2026 (PIEDS) Closes 15 September
The IDFC FIRST Bank IGNITE Accelerator Program, implemented by BITS Pilani through PIEDS, bolsters high-potential, revenue-generating early-scale startups. It targets ventures building solutions with measurable social and environmental impact in climate tech and health tech.
Selected startups benefit from the combined strengths and networks of IDFC FIRST Bank and BITS Pilani. This ecosystem provides guidance, resources, and support for strengthening business models and scaling impact. The program addresses pressing challenges in India, offering funding up to ₹25,00,000.
PM SVANidhi Startup Challenge (Startup India) Closes 15 September
The PM SVANidhi Startup Challenge, a Startup India and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) initiative, harnesses startup innovation to uplift street vendors. The challenge develops scalable, technology-driven solutions addressing pain points faced by street vendors nationwide.
This program focuses on enhancing financial literacy, promoting eco-friendly practices, improving vendor identification, and developing climate-resilient vending infrastructure. It invites DPIIT-recognized startups to innovate solutions. Funding is available up to ₹20,00,000.
IPTIF Housing & Construction EiR 2026 (IPTIF) Closes 15 September
The Housing & Construction Innovation Entrepreneurship-in-Residence (EiR) Programme is an initiative led by IIT Palakkad Technology IHub Foundation (IPTIF), in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) and Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
This program supports early-stage innovators and ventures developing solutions for the housing and construction sector. The objective is to foster innovations that improve how people access, experience, use, maintain, finance, power, cool, manage, and sustain housing. It seeks sustainable, affordable, and climate-responsive technology-driven solutions, with funding that varies.
Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program 2026 (Startup Karnataka) Closes 15 September
The Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program (RGEP) 2026 is a Startup Karnataka initiative to nurture innovation among the state's young Science and Engineering graduates. This program fosters entrepreneurship, providing career pathways and stimulating job creation within Karnataka's economy.
By empowering nascent entrepreneurs, RGEP aims to accelerate technological advancements and drive innovation-led economic growth. It supports 30 selected innovators annually through a 12-month fellowship. Each innovator receives a monthly subsistence grant, totaling up to ₹3,00,000 over the program's duration.
Before Applying
Several programs have specific eligibility requirements; for instance, DISHA 3.0 and the PM SVANidhi Startup Challenge target DPIIT-recognized startups. The RKVY-RABI Program is specifically for Agri-Startups in Uttarakhand, and the Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Program is for young Science and Engineering graduates in Karnataka.
Founders should note the diverse deadlines, with some closing as early as September 7th (ASTRA 1.0, FEG Innovation Hackathon) and many others on September 15th. TARANG 1.0 requires technologies at TRL 6 and above. Always review the program's detailed page for full criteria and application instructions.
