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

November 2026 presents eight active funding opportunities for profit-stage startups in India, encompassing grants, incubation programs, and global competitions. Notable programs include the CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call for advanced R&D, the WFP Innovation Accelerator for solutions addressing global hunger, and the Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize for impactful food system innovations.

For profitable Indian startups, funding primarily targets growth capital, market expansion, and advanced product development. Eligibility typically requires demonstrable revenue streams, validated market traction, and a clear strategy for scaling operations, moving beyond early-stage seed funding towards strategic investment or significant prize capital.

Active Programs for Profit-Stage Startups

CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call 2026 (CEPI)

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has opened its call for Innovations to Prepare for Future Epidemics and Pandemics. This program targets the development of new vaccine candidates for pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential, specifically focusing on its Focus Area 2 for which applications are still open. It is particularly suited for profit-stage biopharmaceutical or biotech startups with robust preclinical or clinical development pipelines.

Awards from the CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call 2026 are structured in three tiers: Exploratory Awards of up to US$1 million (approximately ₹9.5 crore) for early design and testing over 18 months; Preclinical Development Awards of up to US$5 million (approximately ₹47.5 crore); and up to five years of support for clinical testing. These substantial funding amounts support significant research and development efforts. Applications for this call close on 14 December 2026.

SCBF Technical Assistance Grant (SCBF)

The Swiss Capacity Building Facility (SCBF) offers the SCBF Technical Assistance Grant to co-fund technical assistance for financial products designed for underserved populations. This program provides up to CHF 150,000 (approximately ₹1.7 crore) over a maximum of two years. It is specifically designed for projects run in partnership with a financial service provider, such as a bank, microfinance institution, insurer, fintech, or insurtech.

This grant is not for general startup capital but for expert technical assistance to enhance existing financial inclusion products. Profit-stage fintech or insurtech companies in India with established products and a financial institution partner, seeking to refine or expand their offerings to underserved markets, will find this program relevant. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis without a fixed deadline, though SCBF is currently reviewing its strategic instruments.

Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant (Temasek Foundation)

Temasek Foundation, a Singaporean philanthropy, operates an open Liveability & Sustainability Innovations Grant Call. This grant supports mature applied and translational research and development, along with the commercialisation of innovative solutions addressing liveability and sustainability challenges in Singapore, particularly within urban environments. While solutions can originate from outside Singapore, including India, they must benefit or be usable in Singapore, and the lead principal investigator ideally should be based there.

Funding ranges are not published, as amounts are determined by the scope of work and disbursed in phases based on milestone completion. Projects can extend up to three years. Profit-stage Indian startups in urban tech, smart cities, or environmental sustainability sectors with solutions applicable to Singaporean contexts are suitable applicants. The call operates on a rolling basis with no specific deadline.

WFP Innovation Accelerator (WFP Innovation Accelerator)

The UN World Food Programme’s innovation arm, the WFP Innovation Accelerator, seeks, funds, and scales innovations aimed at ending hunger, improving humanitarian response, and building resilient food systems. It maintains a rolling application pool open throughout the year. Selected teams receive entry into a six-month sprint program, accompanied by up to US$100,000 (approximately ₹95 lakh) in equity-free funding.

This program is open to startups, NGOs, academic institutions, and government agencies globally, including India. Profit-stage Indian startups in AgriTech, FoodTech, logistics, or related sectors with solutions demonstrating clear humanitarian impact and scalability can leverage this opportunity for expansion and global recognition.

Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize (Curt Bergfors Foundation)

The Curt Bergfors Foundation in Sweden awards the Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize, described as a significant environmental award. This prize is exclusively for projects within the food system. In 2026, the winner received US$1.5 million (approximately ₹14.25 crore), with finalists each receiving US$150,000 (approximately ₹1.43 crore). Nominations are accepted all year, and self-nominations are permitted.

This prize recognises impactful work already accomplished, rather than funding future projects. Profit-stage Indian startups that have developed and implemented innovative, sustainable solutions within the food system can apply for this recognition and substantial financial reward, which can fuel further growth and impact. The funding is a prize and does not involve equity considerations.

WIN WIN Sustainability Award 2027 (WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award)

The WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award 2027 is an international prize from Sweden, valued at SEK 1 million (approximately ₹90 lakh). This award acknowledges significant contributions to sustainability. Nominations for the 2027 round close on 10 January 2027, with no application fee. Anyone can nominate, and self-nominations are accepted, making it accessible to Indian founders and organisations.

Similar to the Food Planet Prize, this is an award for past achievements rather than a grant for planned projects. Profit-stage Indian companies with demonstrated impact in sustainability through their operations or innovations are well-suited to be nominated for this recognition and prize money.

MEDICA Start-up Competition 2027 (Innovation World Cup)

The MEDICA Start-up Competition 2027, part of the Innovation World Cup series, seeks innovations in digital health. It is connected to MEDICA, a trade fair for healthcare digitalisation in Düsseldorf. Indian health-tech startups are eligible to enter. The winner receives €2,000 (approximately ₹2.18 lakh), with prizes for runners-up also available. Submissions close on 10 September 2027 at 04:29 IST.

This competition offers recognition and a modest cash prize for outstanding digital health solutions. Profit-stage Indian health-tech startups with market-ready or established digital health products can use this platform for international visibility and validation.

SET Award 2027 (dena)

The Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Award is run by the German Energy Agency (dena) for Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. This competition targets energy and climate tech startups globally, making Indian startups eligible. Winners in each of five categories receive up to EUR 10,000 (approximately ₹10.9 lakh) in equity-free prize money. Entry is free, and the deadline for submissions is 30 November 2026 at 04:29 IST.

The 2027 edition includes categories such as Clean Energy & Storage, Digital Energy, and Mobility & Transportation. Profit-stage Indian startups with established solutions in these energy and climate sectors can gain international exposure, validation, and non-dilutive funding through this competition.

Before Applying

When considering these programs, applicants should note specific eligibility criteria. The CEPI call requires specific pathogen R&D at advanced stages. The SCBF grant necessitates a project partnership with a financial service provider for technical assistance, rather than direct startup funding. Temasek Foundation’s grant requires solutions to benefit or be usable in Singapore, with an ideal preference for the lead principal investigator to be Singapore-based. Programs like the Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize and the WIN WIN Sustainability Award are prizes for past achievements, not grants for future projects, whereas the MEDICA Start-up Competition and SET Award are focused on specific innovative solutions within their respective sectors.

Pay attention to the varied application timelines. The CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call and the SET Award have deadlines approaching in late November and mid-December 2026, respectively. The WIN WIN Sustainability Award follows in January 2027, and the MEDICA Start-up Competition has a later deadline in September 2027. Programs like the SCBF Technical Assistance Grant, Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant, WFP Innovation Accelerator, and Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize operate on a rolling basis, allowing for continuous application or nomination, though the WFP Innovation Accelerator involves cohort-based sprint program intakes.