12 Startup Grants and Funding Programs Newly Listed This Week — June 2026
This week's roundup features 12 newly listed opportunities for Indian startups. Highlights include three PM-RKVY agri-tech grants, several seed funds from SINE at IIT Bombay, and the global SLINGSHOT deep-tech competition.
This past week, twelve new programs offering grants, seed funds, incubation, and competition prizes were listed for Indian startups. The opportunities span multiple sectors, with a notable concentration in agri-tech and deep-tech. Organizations announcing new cohorts and funds include the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Foundation of CCSNIAM, SINE at IIT Bombay, and IndiaAI.
Newly Listed This Week
Agri-Tech Grants under PM-RKVY (IEF of CCSNIAM)
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Foundation (IEF) of CCSNIAM has opened applications for three distinct tracks under Cohort 14 of the PM-RKVY Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Programme. Supported by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, these programs offer grant funding without equity dilution.
- The Student Orientation Programme (SOP) provides up to ₹4 Lakhs as a non-repayable government grant. It is designed for students with innovative agri-business ideas.
- The Agripreneurship Orientation Programme (AOP) targets pre-seed stage agri-businesses. Selected startups can receive up to ₹5 Lakhs in grant funding to develop their concepts.
- For more established startups, the Startup Agri Business Incubation Programme (SABI) at the seed stage offers financial support of up to ₹25 Lakhs per startup.
The application deadline for all three CCSNIAM programs is July 31, 2026.
Seed Funds at SINE, IIT Bombay
SINE, the incubator at IIT Bombay, has announced calls for four separate seed fund programs. These funds are structured as equity or equity-like investments and are targeted at startups with an association with SINE or IIT Bombay.
First, the SIDBI Seed Fund Programme provides funding from ₹25 lakh to ₹1 crore for startups currently incubated at SINE to scale their operations. The investment is made via equity or Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS), with SIDBI's post-investment shareholding generally not exceeding 10%.
Second, the IITB-IoE Seed Fund supports technology startups associated with IIT Bombay, offering up to ₹1 crore to accelerate product development and market entry. Selected startups not already incubated must join SINE before fund disbursement.
The DST-NIDHI Seed Support Programme (NIDHI-SSP) provides financial assistance of up to ₹1 crore to DPIIT-recognized startups for activities from proof-of-concept to commercialization. Funds are disbursed in tranches against milestones. Finally, the SIDBI-iDEX Seed Fund Programme offers ₹10 lakh to ₹1.5 crore to MSMEs and startups in the defence sector that have been supported by iDEX challenges. The deadline for all four SINE programs is June 25, 2026.
IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Program (IndiaAI)
IndiaAI is accepting applications for the second cohort of its IndiaAI Startups Global: International Acceleration Program. This initiative is designed to assist high-potential Indian AI startups in expanding into global markets. The program offers access to international innovation ecosystems, mentorship, and investor networks.
In collaboration with Station F and HEC Paris, this four-month immersive program will select 10 Indian AI startups. Participants receive mentorship, investor connections, and business expansion opportunities in the European market. The program provides a grant of up to ₹5 Lakhs. Applications for this cohort close on June 28, 2026.
Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)
The Maruti Suzuki Nurture Cohort 4 is a pre-incubation initiative by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park for early-stage startups. While it focuses on eastern, north-eastern, and central India, it is open to startups serving any part of the country. Key domains include mobility convenience, ADAS, EV infrastructure, sustainability, and industrial automation using technologies like GenAI and computer vision.
Selected startups can receive cash rewards worth ₹13 lakh, a potential paid Proof of Concept (PoC) with Maruti Suzuki, mentorship from industry experts, and access to the company's ecosystem. The application deadline for this program is not specified and is considered rolling.
SLINGSHOT 2026 Deep Tech Competition (Enterprise Singapore)
SLINGSHOT 2026 is a deep tech startup pitching competition organized by Enterprise Singapore as part of the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH). The competition is open to global startups, including those from India, across five domains: Advanced Computing & Intelligence; Advanced Manufacturing & Industrial Systems; Digital Technologies & Security; Environment, Energy & Sustainability; and Health & Biomedical.
The total grant prize pool exceeds S$2.2 million. The Grand Winner receives a S$400,000 grant, with significant prizes for runners-up and the top 10 global startups. The top 50 global startups receive a sponsored trip to Singapore for the finals. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2026.
Open Challenge Programs (NERVE CoE & SmartAgri CoE)
Two Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) have announced Open Challenge Programs (OCPs) with a deadline of July 15, 2026.
The Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur is for AI and DeepTech startups in sectors like HealthTech, AgriTech, Forestry, and Mining. NERVE CoE is a MeitY-backed incubator offering GPU infrastructure, expert mentoring, go-to-market support, and seed funding of up to ₹50 lakhs during its 18-month program.
The Open Challenge Program (OCP) 1.0 at SmartAgri CoE, Bhilai is an initiative by STPI to support AgriTech startups developing solutions for farmers, particularly in Chhattisgarh. The CoE provides incubation support and seed funding up to ₹35 lakhs to help startups build and scale their products.
Before Applying
Founders preparing to apply for these opportunities should have key documents ready. Common requirements include the company's incorporation certificate, DPIIT recognition certificate, a detailed pitch deck, financial projections, and founder KYC documents. While not all programs require every document, having them organized will streamline the application process. The specific requirements vary for each program and are detailed on their respective application portals.
It is important to review all eligibility criteria carefully before investing time in an application. Many programs have specific restrictions based on the startup's sector, stage of development, geographical location, or affiliation with a particular institution. For example, the SINE funds are primarily for startups with an IIT Bombay connection, while the CCSNIAM grants are strictly for the agri-tech sector. Checking these details upfront ensures that your efforts are directed toward the most suitable opportunities.
