Logistics & Mobility Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — August 2026

As of August 2026, 10 active grants, seed funds, incubation programs, and competitions are open for logistics and mobility ventures in India. These include state government incentive schemes, corporate-backed innovation challenges, and cross-border startup programs.

The funding landscape spans government subsidies for warehousing and vehicle acquisition, patent reimbursement for technology startups, and competitions from corporates like Maruti Suzuki, Bosch, and Schaeffler. Programs also target specific challenges such as rural mobility, port automation, and inclusive finance.

Sponsored

Active Logistics & Mobility Grants and Programs

Goa State Logistics and Warehousing Incentives Scheme (Department of Industries, Government of Goa)

The Goa State Logistics and Warehousing Incentives Scheme: Subsidy on Electricity Duty is a state-level initiative by the Department of Industries, Government of Goa. It aims to improve the competitiveness of logistics and warehousing units by offsetting high operational costs. A key component is the subsidy on electricity duty for cold chain units, which are essential for preserving perishable goods in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and other industries.

Under this scheme, eligible units receive a reimbursement of 100% of the electricity duty paid on High Tension (HT) electricity connections, up to an annual ceiling of ₹5,00,000 per unit. The subsidy specifically targets cold chain infrastructure, reducing a major recurring expense. This makes it relevant for startups and established operators managing warehousing, cold storage, or temperature-controlled logistics in Goa.

The scheme is open to units operating in the logistics and warehousing sector within the state. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with no specified deadline.

Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme (Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat)

The Passenger Vehicle/Loading Vehicle Loan Scheme (DAADC) is implemented by the Dr. Ambedkar Antyodaya Development Corporation under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat. It provides financial assistance as a loan to unemployed individuals from Scheduled Caste (SC) Antyodaya families for purchasing passenger or freight vehicles.

The scheme is designed to create self-employment opportunities in Gujarat's transport sector. Beneficiaries can use the loan to acquire vehicles for commercial passenger transport or goods carriage, enabling participation in the state's logistics network. The loan amount varies based on the vehicle type, project cost, and applicant profile.

Eligibility is restricted to SC Antyodaya families in Gujarat with an unemployed member seeking to start a transport business. The program operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline.

Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy (KBITS, Government of Karnataka)

The Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy is provided by Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS), an agency under the Government of Karnataka. It supports incubated startups registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell by covering the expenses involved in securing patents.

Qualifying startups can claim reimbursement up to ₹10,00,000 for patent filing and processing costs. This is especially useful for logistics and mobility startups developing proprietary technology in areas such as telematics, fleet management, EV components, or IoT-enabled tracking, as it reduces the financial burden of protecting intellectual property.

To be eligible, a startup must be incubated in a recognised incubation centre and registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana (Transport Department, Government of Jharkhand)

The Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana is a state scheme by the Transport Department, Government of Jharkhand, aimed at improving rural connectivity through private bus operators. It provides financial assistance and exemptions to encourage bus services on routes connecting remote villages to essential destinations like block and district headquarters, schools, colleges, medical institutions, main roads, and commercial centres.

The scheme covers a portion of operational costs and simplifies the permit process for eligible operators. By making these routes financially viable, it supports rural mobility and the movement of goods and passengers in underserved areas. Funding amounts vary depending on the route and operator profile.

Private bus operators interested in running rural services in Jharkhand can apply under this scheme. There is no fixed deadline; applications are processed on a rolling basis.

Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026 (India Accelerator)

The Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026 is hosted by India Accelerator and funded by Schaeffler India. It targets social entrepreneurs developing sustainable solutions for developmental challenges, particularly those from Tier II, Tier III, and rural India. The fellowship provides mentorship, funding, and access to industry networks to bridge the gap faced by high-potential ventures in these regions.

The program is open to early-stage social enterprises working on solutions related to mobility, rural access, inclusive transport, and other logistics-related challenges. While it is not restricted to the logistics sector, startups with a social impact angle can benefit from the structured support.

The fellowship accepts applications on a rolling basis, with no specified deadline.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

The Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park is a pre-incubation initiative by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP). It is designed for early-stage startups and prioritises applications from eastern, north-eastern and central India, though it is open to startups offering services anywhere in India.

The programme covers focus domains including mobility convenience, technology in mobility (ADAS, V2X, EV infrastructure, autonomous mobility), sustainability (eco-friendly packaging, sustainable fuels, plastic alternatives), social impact (rural mobility and development, skill development), and enterprise and manufacturing (process automation, computer vision, industrial IoT, GenAI).

Selected startups receive cash rewards worth ₹13 lakh, a paid proof-of-concept opportunity, mentorship from industry experts, and access to Maruti Suzuki's ecosystem and alumni network. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Swanari TechSprint 4.0: AI for Inclusive Finance (IIMA Ventures)

The Swanari TechSprint 4.0: AI for Inclusive Finance is an innovation challenge co-created by RBIH and IIMA Ventures. It is designed to use artificial intelligence to improve financial systems for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India. The challenge focuses on building scalable AI-enabled fintech solutions that address gaps in credit access, savings, and digital bookkeeping for SHG members, Sakhis, and women entrepreneurs.

For logistics and mobility startups, this challenge is relevant if they are developing fintech solutions for last-mile delivery networks, women-led transport cooperatives, or digital payment systems for rural logistics. The program is national in scope and open to startups, innovators, and researchers.

The deadline for applications is 15 August 2026.

BOSCH - BMU Innovation Challenge (ACIC-BMU Foundation)

The BOSCH - BMU Innovation Challenge is a corporate innovation competition run by ACIC-BMU Foundation (Atal Incubation Centre at BML Munjal University) in partnership with Bosch India. It seeks to identify innovators and researchers working on sustainable mobility solutions.

Focus areas include connectivity, synthetic fuels and clean technologies, electrification, innovative brake systems, road safety, and inclusive mobility solutions for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and women. The challenge aims to reduce environmental impact and enhance road safety through new technologies.

The competition is open to startups, students, and researchers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders (NASSCOM CoE-IoT&AI)

The CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders is hosted by the nasscom Centre of Excellence for IoT & AI, a joint initiative with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and the Governments of Karnataka, Haryana, and Gujarat. This challenge is developed in collaboration with a major port terminal operator to solve a specific operational problem in bulk cargo handling.

The task is to design and implement a solution that can detect foreign objects inside deep vessel holds (18-19 meters deep) during coal unloading. Hidden debris can cause equipment damage and costly downtime. Startups are expected to provide a working deep-tech solution using AI, IoT, computer vision, or similar technologies.

This challenge is ideal for logistics-focused deep-tech startups. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis.

UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 (UAE-India CEPA Council)

The UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 is an initiative by the UAE-India CEPA Council to facilitate cross-border expansion for Indian startups. Anchored under the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), it provides market access, investment pathways, and strategic partnerships for high-potential Indian startups.

Selected startups receive access to the UAE market and potential funding support up to ₹56,75,000. Logistics and mobility startups looking to expand into the UAE and the wider Middle East region can apply. The program is open across sectors, but the logistics and mobility focus aligns well with the UAE's position as a global trade hub.

The deadline for applications is 30 August 2026.

Before Applying

Before applying, verify eligibility constraints. The Goa logistics subsidy is limited to units operating in Goa, while the DAADC vehicle loan is restricted to SC Antyodaya families in Gujarat. Karnataka's patent reimbursement requires incubation under the Karnataka Startup Cell. Maruti Suzuki NURTURE prioritises startups from eastern, north-eastern, and central India, though it is open to others.

Two programs have fixed deadlines in August 2026: Swanari TechSprint 4.0 closes on 15 August, and UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 closes on 30 August. All other programs accept applications on a rolling basis. The NASSCOM challenge expects a working solution for foreign object detection, so startups with existing deep-tech capabilities should apply.