Startup Grants and Funding Programs in Gujarat — August 2026
Six funding programs are open to startups in Gujarat, from the Small Scale Lending Scheme for Rabari and Bharwad entrepreneurs to the S4 Seed Support for student innovators. This guide covers eligibility, funding amounts, and rolling deadlines.
Six active funding programs are currently open to startups and entrepreneurs in Gujarat. The lineup includes state government loan and grant schemes, seed support for student-led ventures, an incubation program from iCreate, and a corporate-backed innovation competition with regional reach.
Gujarat’s funding ecosystem draws on state policy frameworks and dedicated institutions. The Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0) operates through the Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Hub (i-Hub), while the Social Justice and Empowerment Department runs targeted credit schemes for specific communities. iCreate acts as a technology business incubator under both central and state government recognition, giving Gujarat startups access to a mix of state and national programs.
Active Grants and Programs for Gujarat Startups
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Scale Lending Scheme (Microfinance) | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹1.25 lakh |
| iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹30 lakh |
| Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme (DAADC) | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| Startup Srujan Seed Support (S4) – Cohort 3 | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹10 lakh |
| Shri Vajpayee Bankable Yojana | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
Small Scale Lending Scheme (Microfinance) (Gujarat SJE Department)
The Small Scale Lending Scheme (Microfinance) provides microloans up to ₹1.25 lakh to small entrepreneurs from the Rabari and Bharwad castes, both classified as socially and educationally backward classes by the Government of Gujarat. The scheme is run by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department and is intended to help individuals start or expand micro-enterprises that typically require modest capital.
Eligible applicants must belong to the target communities and have a viable business plan for a small-scale unit. The loan amount, though limited, is designed to remove the first barrier to self-employment. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no fixed deadline to apply.
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)
The iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support is an entry point for startups that have a proof-of-concept or prototype and need funding and guidance to turn it into a product. iCreate, a government-recognised Technology Business Incubator, runs the program with support from central and state institutions.
Selected startups receive access to business and technical mentorship, a prototyping and digital innovation lab, incubation and funding support, connections to investors and industry, and hostel accommodation on the iCreate campus near Ahmedabad. The program is open to startups across sectors, with funding for projects up to ₹30 lakh.
Because the gateway is designed to connect startups to multiple schemes, applicants are assessed for fit across a range of central and Gujarat government funding programs. There is no stated deadline; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme (DAADC) (SJE Department, Gujarat)
The Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme (DAADC) offers loans for buying passenger or freight vehicles to unemployed individuals from Scheduled Caste (SC) Antyodaya families. The programme, implemented by Dr. Ambedkar Antyodaya Development Corporation (DAADC) on behalf of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, supports entry into the transport sector as a self-employment route.
The loan amount varies depending on the vehicle and project cost. It is targeted at SC Antyodaya families and is designed to create sustainable livelihoods in Gujarat’s transport sector. Applicants should be prepared to provide the necessary documentation to prove their eligibility under the Antyodaya category. The scheme operates on a rolling basis, with no published deadline.
Startup Srujan Seed Support (S4) – Cohort 3 (i-Hub)
Startup Srujan Seed Support (S4) – Cohort 3 is a seed grant program implemented by the Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Hub (i-Hub) under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0) of the Education Department, Government of Gujarat. It provides financial assistance from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh to help young innovators move from proof-of-concept to product and market entry.
The program is specifically for student-led ventures and covers activities such as prototype development, validation, product refinement, and early commercialization. As a cohort-based initiative, applications are typically processed in cycles, even though no specific deadline has been published for Cohort 3. Startups that miss the current cohort may have to wait for the next round.
Shri Vajpayee Bankable Yojana (Cottage and Rural Industries Department)
The Shri Vajpayee Bankable Yojana is a government scheme that supports unemployed individuals in both urban and rural areas of Gujarat to set up micro-enterprises. It is administered by the Cottage and Rural Industries Department and is open to disabled and visually impaired persons as well as the general unemployed population.
The scheme provides financial facilitation for a wide range of small businesses. The actual loan amount is not fixed; it depends on the nature of the enterprise and the applicant’s requirements. The scheme is rolling, meaning applications can be submitted at any time.
Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) (Capgemini)
Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) is a multi-state innovation competition that brings together innovators, academic institutions, ecosystem partners, and community groups. The initiative is powered by Capgemini and implemented by BharatCares in collaboration with SRF Foundation.
ISGBB focuses on solutions with social impact, encouraging applications from startups, students, and community organisations across India, including Gujarat. While funding amounts have not been publicly fixed, shortlisted participants gain access to mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and potential funding. The competition is rolling, with periodic assessment stages.
Before Applying
Before applying, verify that your venture matches the scheme’s target group. The Small Scale Lending Scheme (Microfinance) restricts eligibility to Rabari and Bharwad caste members, and the Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme (DAADC) is limited to Scheduled Caste Antyodaya families. Startup Srujan Seed Support (S4) is open only to student-led startups under the SSIP 2.0 framework; non-student enterprises need to look at iCreate Pro-Fund or the Shri Vajpayee Bankable Yojana instead.
All programs on this list operate on a rolling basis, but the S4 cohort structure means a missed cycle pushes your application to the next batch, which can delay seed funding by months. For iCreate, the gateway links into a larger incubation process, so it is wise to start the conversation early. For the vehicle loan scheme and the microfinance scheme, documentation proving caste and income status will need to be assembled before applying, as these are formal bankable schemes.
