Startup Grants and Funding Programs for Profit-Stage Startups in India — September 2026

Five distinct programs are currently open for profit-stage startups in India, encompassing grants, incubation support, and competitions. Notable among these are the Patent Cost Reimbursement Schemes from the Governments of Haryana and Karnataka, and Capgemini's Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) initiative. These programs focus on intellectual property protection, market expansion, and social impact.

The funding landscape for profit-stage startups in India primarily offers capital for scaling operations, market expansion, and securing intellectual property. Eligibility thresholds often involve registration with a state startup cell, DPIIT recognition, or specific criteria related to technology readiness and sector focus. The support available aims to facilitate growth beyond the initial seed stages.

Active Programs for Profit-Stage Startups

Patent Assistance (Department of MSME, Government of Madhya Pradesh)

The Patent Assistance program, an initiative under the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy 2022, supports innovation and intellectual property protection for enterprises in Madhya Pradesh. Administered by the Department of MSME, Government of Madhya Pradesh, this program contributes to the state's economic development by fostering a supportive ecosystem for startups.

Through this program, eligible startups can secure subventions of up to ₹5,00,000 for patent-related expenses. The support is designed for startups to protect their innovations as they grow. This makes it suitable for profit-stage startups looking to solidify their market position and expand their intellectual property portfolio.

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

The Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy offers patent reimbursement specifically for incubated startups registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. This program is led by the Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS), an agency under the Government of Karnataka, focused on the state's technology and startup ecosystem.

The policy's goal is to alleviate the financial expenditures associated with securing intellectual property rights, offering up to ₹10,00,000 in reimbursement. It enables promising technology-driven ventures in Karnataka to protect their innovations. Profit-stage startups benefit by mitigating IP costs, thus maintaining a competitive edge and fostering continued innovation.

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

The Marketing Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy (International Marketing Reimbursement) provides financial incentives to support startups in their international marketing efforts. The Government of Karnataka, through KBITS, aims to promote the sustained growth of IT, BT, and Startup sectors within the state by enabling local innovations to achieve global recognition.

This program reimburses eligible expenses incurred by startups participating in global trade shows, international conferences, and other strategic promotional activities, with support up to ₹5,00,000. It facilitates market entry for profit-stage startups by offsetting costs associated with international expansion, allowing them to reach new global customers.

Haryana Startup Policy 2022 Patent Cost Reimbursement Scheme (Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana)

The Haryana Startup Policy 2022 Patent Cost Reimbursement Scheme, led by the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana, and supported by Startup Haryana, fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. These entities aim to create a supportive ecosystem for new enterprises, focusing on technological advancements and intellectual property protection.

This scheme offers financial reimbursement for patent costs, designed to alleviate the financial burden of securing intellectual property, with assistance up to ₹25,00,000. It is a crucial incentive for profit-stage startups in Haryana looking to protect their innovations, allowing them to reinvest capital into further growth and contribute to the state's economic diversification.

Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) (Capgemini)

The Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) initiative is a multi-state program designed to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems across India. Powered by Capgemini and implemented by BharatCares in collaboration with SRF Foundation, ISGBB aims to foster structured collaboration between innovators, academic institutions, ecosystem partners, and community groups.

This initiative supports solutions that are innovative and deeply rooted in community needs, driving social impact. The funding amount varies depending on the project scope and impact potential. Profit-stage startups focused on social good can leverage ISGBB to scale their solutions through collaborative efforts and gain access to a network of diverse stakeholders, furthering their impact and market reach.

Before Applying

Careful review of eligibility criteria is necessary for these programs. For instance, the Patent Assistance program requires startups to be based in Madhya Pradesh, while the Karnataka Startup Policy's incentives necessitate registration with the Karnataka Startup Cell and, for patent reimbursement, incubation status. The Haryana Patent Cost Reimbursement Scheme is specific to startups operating within Haryana. The Capgemini ISGBB initiative targets innovators focused on social good with a multi-state reach.

Regarding application timing and process, all programs listed currently operate on a rolling deadline. This means applications are accepted continuously rather than within specific cohort windows. While this offers flexibility, startups should note that evaluation and processing times may vary, and there are no stated pre-screening or Letter of Intent (LOI) steps before the main application for these particular opportunities.