Startup Grants and Funding Programs for Product-Stage Startups in India — June 2026

There are currently 8 active grants, incubation programs, and competitions open for product-stage startups in India. Notable among them are the Agri-Startup Incubation Programme (AIP) from IIT Kharagpur offering up to ₹25 lakh, the WeaveX Textile Incubation Program from IIM Kozhikode Live providing up to ₹50 lakh, and the SLINGSHOT 2026 deep tech competition with prizes up to ₹2.97 crore. These programs span agriculture, textiles, deep tech, mobility, and general innovation.

Product-stage startups — those with a working minimum viable product (MVP) but no revenue — typically find support through non-dilutive grants and incubation programs. Grant amounts commonly range from ₹5 lakh to ₹50 lakh, with some competitions offering larger prizes. Eligibility often requires a functional MVP, a clear path to market, and sometimes a sector or geographic focus. The following table summarises the current opportunities.

Active Programs for Product-Stage Startups

AFBIC IIT Kharagpur Programs (AOP, AIP, SOP)

The AOP (Agripreneurship Orientation Programme) is run by the Agri-Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC) at IIT Kharagpur under the RKVY-RAFTAAR program. It provides grant-in-aid of up to ₹5 lakh to agripreneurs in idea or prototype stage. The AIP (Agri-Startup Incubation Programme) is designed for startups at MVP, beta, or expansion stage, offering up to ₹25 lakh in grant funding along with a 15-day on-campus incubation workshop. The SOP (Student Orientation Programme) targets student innovators with grants up to ₹4 lakh. All three programs require founders to be from West Bengal or ventures originating from West Bengal. The grants are non-dilutive. For product-stage startups, the AIP is the most relevant, as it explicitly targets startups beyond the idea stage. Applications close on 30 June 2026.

WeaveX Textile Incubation Program (IIMK LIVE)

The WeaveX Textile Incubation Program by IIM Kozhikode Live is a sector-focused initiative for startups across the textile value chain. Selected startups receive grants of up to ₹50 lakh, along with mentorship, industry connections, and investor access. The program covers twelve domains including sustainable fabrics, AI-based quality inspection, smart wearables, and textile recycling. It is open to product-stage startups with an MVP in the textile sector. Applications close on 30 June 2026.

Open Challenge Program (NERVE CoE, Nagpur)

The Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, a MeitY-backed deep tech incubator in Nagpur, is an 18-month program offering seed funding of up to ₹50 lakh. It provides GPU infrastructure, expert mentoring, go-to-market support, and IPR assistance. The program targets AI and deep tech startups in HealthTech, AgriTech, Forestry, and Mining. Product-stage startups with a working prototype in these sectors are eligible. Deadline: 15 July 2026.

SLINGSHOT 2026 (Enterprise Singapore)

SLINGSHOT 2026 is Asia's leading deep tech pitching competition, organized by Enterprise Singapore. Prizes include up to S$400,000 (≈₹2.97 crore) for the grand winner, with a total prize pool of over S$2.2 million. The competition covers five domains: Advanced Computing, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Technologies, Environment & Energy, and Health & Biomedical. Product-stage deep tech startups from India can apply. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2026.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

The Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a pre-incubation program run jointly with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. It offers cash rewards worth ₹13 lakh and an opportunity for a paid proof of concept. Focus domains include mobility, sustainability, social impact, and enterprise & manufacturing. The program is open to early-stage startups, particularly from eastern, north-eastern, and central India, but services can be offered nationwide. Product-stage startups with an MVP in these domains are eligible. The deadline is rolling; the program runs in cohorts.

Youth Code x AI (Youth Code Foundation)

Youth Code x AI is an online hackathon organized by the Youth Code Foundation. Prizes total up to ₹2.43 lakh. The competition is beginner-friendly and runs fully virtual. Participants develop AI, mobile, or web solutions. The deadline is 27 June 2026 (today). This is suitable for product-stage startups that are still at the idea/prototype level but can be relevant for teams building an MVP.

Before Applying

Several of these programs have specific eligibility constraints. The AFBIC programs (AOP, AIP, SOP) require founders to be from West Bengal or ventures originating in the state. WeaveX is limited to startups working in the textile value chain. Maruti Suzuki NURTURE prioritises startups located in eastern, north-eastern, and central India. SLINGSHOT is for deep tech startups only. The stage definitions also differ: AIP explicitly targets MVP-stage startups, while AOP is for earlier stages. For product-stage startups, verifying that your startup meets the exact stage criteria (e.g., having an MVP but no revenue) is essential.

Timing is critical. Youth Code x AI closes today, 27 June 2026. Most other programs (AOP, AIP, SOP, WeaveX, SLINGSHOT) close on 30 June 2026, giving only three days from today. The Open Challenge Program at NERVE CoE has a later deadline of 15 July 2026. Maruti Suzuki NURTURE has a rolling deadline but operates in cohorts; missing the current intake may mean waiting for the next cohort. SLINGSHOT involves a pre-screening process and domain finals, so early application is advisable. Always confirm the exact deadline timezone and any required pre-registration steps.