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

Profit-stage startups in India seeking growth capital have access to eight active funding opportunities this November 2026. These programs encompass grants, incubation support, and international competitions, with notable options including the Start-Up Chile Growth accelerator, the CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call, and the Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize. For profitable Indian startups, typical support at this stage focuses on scaling established operations, market expansion, and product development. Eligibility often involves demonstrating consistent revenue, proven market traction, and a clear articulation of how funding will facilitate significant growth or entry into new markets.

Active Programs for Profit-Stage Startups

Start-Up Chile Growth (Start-Up Chile)Start-Up Chile Growth is the scaling line of Start-Up Chile, a public accelerator operated by Corfo, Chile's economic development agency. This program offers startups that are already generating sales equity-free co-funding of CLP 75 million (approximately ₹78.85 lakh) and a six-month program focused on using Chile as a platform for expansion.The current generation, BIG 13, is accepting applications until 1:00 PM Chile time on 24 November 2026. While applications can be made from India without a pre-existing Chilean company, selected teams must commit to relocating their team leader to Chile for the full duration of the program. Foreign team leaders are required to apply for a Chilean Temporary Residence Visa before the funding agreement is finalised.## ACORE Accelerate (ACORE)The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) runs the ACORE Accelerate program, a two-year, predominantly virtual initiative supporting up to 15 emerging renewable-energy and clean-energy technology or services companies.Mandatory onboarding for the 2027 cohort is scheduled for 23 February 2027 in Washington, D.C., with travel costs covered for participants. However, it is important to note that this program is exclusively for companies registered and physically located in the United States or its territories, making Indian companies ineligible. Applications for the 2027 cohort close on 30 November 2026.## CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call (CEPI)The CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call 2026 from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) provides funding for new vaccine candidates addressing pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential. Only Focus Area 2 remains open, with the call closing on 14 December 2026.The program offers three distinct award types to support different stages of vaccine development: Exploratory Awards provide up to US$1 million (approximately ₹9.5 crore) over 18 months for early design and testing. Preclinical Development Awards offer up to US$5 million (approximately ₹47.5 crore) for preclinical work. Finally, support for clinical testing can extend for up to five years, aiding projects with significant development potential.## SCBF Technical Assistance Grant (Swiss Capacity Building Facility)The SCBF Technical Assistance Grant is provided by the Swiss Capacity Building Facility (SCBF), a public-private platform that co-funds technical assistance for financial products targeting underserved populations.A project can receive up to CHF 150,000 (approximately ₹1.7 crore) over a maximum of two years. This is not a general startup grant; funding is specifically for expert technical assistance within projects run in conjunction with a financial service provider such as a bank, microfinance institution, insurer, fintech, or insurtech. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline.## Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize (Curt Bergfors Foundation)The Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize, administered by the Curt Bergfors Foundation in Sweden, is an environmental award focused exclusively on projects within the food system. The 2026 prize awarded US$1.5 million (approximately ₹14.25 crore) to the winner and US$150,000 (approximately ₹1.43 crore) to each finalist.Nominations for this prize are open year-round, and self-nominations are permitted. The prize money is provided as an award, not a loan, and the foundation takes no equity.## WIN WIN Sustainability Award 2027 (WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award)The WIN WIN Sustainability Award 2027 is an international prize from Gothenburg, Sweden, valued at SEK 1 million (approximately ₹90 lakh). This award recognises work already accomplished rather than funding future projects.Nominations for the 2027 round are open until 10 January 2027 and incur no cost. Self-nominations are permitted, and candidates from any country, including India, are eligible for consideration.## MEDICA Start-up Competition 2027 (Innovation World Cup)The MEDICA Start-up Competition 2027, part of the Innovation World Cup series by Techpreneurs, seeks innovations in digital health. It is connected to MEDICA, a trade fair for healthcare digitalisation in Düsseldorf.Innovators globally, including Indian health-tech startups, are eligible to enter. The winner receives €2,000 (approximately ₹2.18 lakh), with additional cash prizes for runners-up. Submissions for the competition close on 9 September 2027 at 23:59 CET (04:29 IST on 10 September 2027). Entry is free.## SET Award 2027 (German Energy Agency)The SET Award 2027 (dena), or Start Up Energy Transition Award, is managed by the German Energy Agency (dena) on behalf of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. This competition targets energy and climate tech startups.International and national companies, including Indian startups, are eligible to apply. Winners across each of the five categories receive up to EUR 10,000 (approximately ₹10.9 lakh) in equity-free prize money. The deadline for applications is 29 November 2026 at 23:59 CET (04:29 IST on 30 November 2026). Entry is free. The 2027 edition includes categories such as Clean Energy & Storage, Digital Energy, Markets & Economy, Buildings & Construction, Industry & Value Chains, and Mobility & Transportation.## Before ApplyingSeveral programs outline specific eligibility criteria relevant to profit-stage Indian startups. The ACORE Accelerate program is explicitly restricted to companies registered and physically located in the United States, rendering Indian companies ineligible. For Start-Up Chile Growth, while Indian companies can apply, the team leader must commit to relocating to Chile. Sector-specific opportunities are prominent: CEPI focuses on vaccine innovations, SCBF on financial products for underserved populations, the Food Planet Prize on the food system, MEDICA on digital health, and the SET Award on energy and climate technology.The application timelines vary significantly among these programs. Start-Up Chile Growth, ACORE Accelerate, and the SET Award all have deadlines approaching rapidly by the end of November 2026. The CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call closes on 14 December 2026, while the WIN WIN Sustainability Award has a deadline of 10 January 2027. The MEDICA Start-up Competition has a later deadline in September 2027. Programs like the SCBF Technical Assistance Grant and the Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize accept proposals on a rolling basis, offering more flexibility.