Startup Grants and Funding Programs in Gujarat — July 2026
Six funding programs for Gujarat startups are open in July 2026: state-backed grants and loans, incubation support, and a national competition. Schemes range from microfinance up to ₹1,25,000 to seed capital up to ₹30 lakh. Check eligibility and apply.
Six funding programs are currently open for startups and entrepreneurs in Gujarat, spanning state government-backed grants and loans, incubation support, and a national corporate innovation competition. These include the Student Startup Seed Support (S4) from i-Hub, iCreate's Pro-Fund Gateway for prototype-stage ventures, and targeted microfinance schemes from the Gujarat government for specific communities. National programs like Capgemini's ISGBB are also open to Gujarat-based social enterprises.
Gujarat has built a structured startup ecosystem under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0), with the Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Hub (i-Hub) and iCreate acting as key nodal institutions. The state government's Cottage and Rural Industries Department and Social Justice and Empowerment Department run parallel schemes for micro-enterprise and self-employment, creating a layered funding environment for founders at different stages and with different backgrounds.
Active Grants and Programs for Gujarat Startups
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Scale Lending Scheme (Microfinance) | Grant | Rolling | Up to ₹1,25,000 |
| iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support | Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹30,00,000 |
| Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme (DAADC) | Grant | Rolling | Varies |
| Startup Srujan Seed Support (S4) – Cohort 3 | Grant | Rolling | Up to ₹10,00,000 |
| Shri Vajpayee Bankable Yojana | Grant | Rolling | Varies |
| Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
Small Scale Lending Scheme (Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat)
The Small Scale Lending Scheme (Microfinance) provides microcredit up to ₹1,25,000 to entrepreneurs from the Rabari and Bharwad castes, recognised as socially and educationally backward classes. The loan is designed to help these individuals establish or expand micro-enterprises that typically struggle to secure financing from formal channels.
Run by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat, the scheme addresses financial exclusion by making affordable credit accessible to a defined community. Eligible applicants must belong to the target communities and be engaged in small-scale business activities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no fixed closing date.
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)
The iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support is a gateway to funding and incubation for startups that have moved beyond the idea stage. iCreate, a government-recognised Technology Business Incubator, provides access to up to ₹30,00,000 in funding support to turn a proof-of-concept or prototype into a viable product.
Beyond capital, the program offers business and technical mentorship, access to a prototyping and digital innovation lab, incubation support, and connections to investors and industry leaders. Startups selected for the program also get hostel accommodation on the iCreate campus, making it easier to work on their project full-time. There is no published deadline, indicating a rolling intake.
Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme (Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat)
The Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme is implemented by the Dr. Ambedkar Antyodaya Development Corporation (DAADC) under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Gujarat. It extends loans to unemployed individuals from Scheduled Caste (SC) Antyodaya families for purchasing passenger or freight vehicles, enabling them to generate income in the transport sector.
The loan amount varies based on the type of vehicle and the applicant's profile. The scheme targets a specific segment of the population, aiming to create self-employment opportunities for those who are otherwise excluded from mainstream credit. Applications are handled through DAADC and state social welfare offices, with no fixed deadline.
Startup Srujan Seed Support (S4) – Cohort 3 (Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Hub)
The Startup Srujan Seed Support (S4) – Cohort 3 is a flagship grant under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0) of Gujarat. It provides ₹2.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh in financial assistance to help young innovators move from proof of concept to product launch and early commercialisation.
The programme is implemented by the Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Hub (i-Hub) and covers prototype development, validation, product refinement, and market entry. It is open to startups that have a working Proof of Concept and are ready to invest in building a market-ready product. As a cohort-based initiative, applications are reviewed in batches, so founders should submit early to avoid waiting for the next cycle.
Shri Vajpayee Bankable Yojana (Cottage and Rural Industries Department, Government of Gujarat)
The Shri Vajpayee Bankable Yojana is a self-employment scheme by Gujarat's Cottage and Rural Industries Department. It targets unemployed individuals in both urban and rural areas, offering financial facilitation to set up micro-enterprises across various sectors. The scheme explicitly includes disabled and visually impaired persons, expanding access to entrepreneurship.
The funding amount for this scheme varies depending on the project proposal and bankable plan. It is operated through banks, with the government providing a support structure to increase the bankability of loan applications. There is no set deadline; applicants can approach the department or partner banks throughout the year.
Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) (Capgemini)
The Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) is a multi-state program powered by Capgemini and implemented by BharatCares in collaboration with SRF Foundation. It is designed to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems by fostering structured collaboration between innovators, academic institutions, ecosystem partners, and community groups.
As a competition, ISGBB seeks solutions that are deeply rooted in community needs and capable of delivering social impact. The program operates across multiple states, and Gujarat-based startups and social enterprises are eligible to participate. The value of support varies by selection stage; the organisers do not publish a fixed award amount. No deadline is specified, but interested teams should track the program's official channels for submission windows.
Before Applying
Two of the state-run schemes are restricted to specific communities: the Small Scale Lending Scheme is open only to Rabari and Bharwad caste members, while the DAAD vehicle loan targets SC Antyodaya families. In contrast, iCreate and S4 are stage-bound rather than community-bound, requiring an existing prototype or PoC and a tie-up with the student innovation ecosystem, respectively. Founders who do not meet these constraints will need to focus on the broader plans, such as the Shri Vajpayee Yojana or the ISGBB competition.
All six programs currently have no published deadline, but S4's cohort model means late applicants may wait months for the next review cycle. ISGBB, as a competition, may have an internal cutoff even if it is not publicly listed. For the lending schemes and iCreate's rolling intake, there is no urgency, but early applications still help in managing the administrative steps.
