Startup Grants and Funding Programs for Revenue-Stage Startups in India — October 2026

Eight programs for revenue-stage startups are currently open in India, spanning grants, seed funds, incubation support, and competitions. Notable opportunities include the Greenovation Circularity Challenge, Kerala Startup Mission's Scaleup Grant, and the UP Grand Challenges Grant.

For revenue-stage ventures, the funding landscape often focuses on enabling market expansion, customer acquisition, and product refinement. Eligibility thresholds commonly involve demonstrating specific revenue milestones, securing prior external equity, or proving market validation.

Active Programs for Revenue-Stage Startups

Market Acceleration Grant (Kerala Startup Mission)

Kerala-based startups at the early revenue stage can access up to ₹10 lakhs from the Market Acceleration Grant, provided by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM). This grant supports market growth, with funds released in tranches upon achieving pre-defined targets as per KSUM's operational guidelines.

Approved expenditures include marketing, customer acquisition, branding, and product improvements. The scheme requires a 30% contribution of the approved grant amount as margin money, fostering a shared investment in growth. Startups previously awarded KSUM's Idea Grant or Productization Grant remain eligible to apply for the remaining amount up to the maximum grant ceiling.

Applicants require an innovative technology-based product and a valid KSUM Unique ID. Startups must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or OPC with active MCA status. This program directly supports early revenue startups in scaling their market presence.

Scaleup Grant (Kerala Startup Mission)

The Scaleup Grant from the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) offers up to ₹15 lakhs to technology-based startups that have already demonstrated market proof and are ready to scale. Funds are disbursed in milestone-based tranches, subject to KSUM's guidelines and performance benchmarks.

This grant can be utilized for entering new geographical markets, branding and marketing activities, product feature enhancements, and customer acquisition. It primarily supports marketing, branding, business development, and customer acquisition, with specific caps on product enhancement components.

Eligibility criteria include achieving ₹10 lakhs in revenue within a six-month period or securing ₹30 lakhs in external equity funding. Applicants must possess an innovative technology-based product and hold a valid KSUM Unique ID, in addition to being incorporated as a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, or One Person Company with active MCA status. This program specifically targets ventures ready for significant expansion.

TN Space Tech Fund by StartupTN (StartupTN)

StartupTN's TN Space Tech Fund by StartupTN is a matching equity fund, with a total corpus of ₹10 Crore, available to DPIIT-recognised space-tech startups in Tamil Nadu. Shortlisted startups can receive milestone-based financial assistance on a 1:1 funding match basis, with investments up to ₹50 lakhs.

The fund supports a range of space-related technologies, including satellite technologies, launch systems, GIS, AI for space applications, orbital logistics, and space data processing. To be eligible, startups must be registered in Tamil Nadu or commit to shifting their registered office to the state before fund disbursement.

Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund (Equity Fund) by StartupTN (StartupTN)

The Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund (Equity Fund) by StartupTN is an exclusive equity investment initiative from the Government of Tamil Nadu, managed by StartupTN. It aims to promote inclusive entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe founders in the state.

This fund addresses financial exclusion by providing equity participation in innovation-led and scalable startups founded by SC/ST entrepreneurs. It supports sustainable business growth. For the 2025–26 cycle, the fund continues to back high-potential startups; previous cohorts received sanction orders worth ₹60.80 crores, contributing to socioeconomic growth and inclusive progress.

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

Startups, social enterprises, non-profit innovation organizations, and individual innovators with solutions at the MVP or growth stage can apply to Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB). This program provides no direct monetary funding, cash grant, or equity investment.

Powered by Capgemini and implemented by BharatCares with SRF Foundation, ISGBB is a multi-state program supporting the development, validation, and deployment of scalable, technology-driven solutions for priority development challenges. Selected innovators gain direct deployment opportunities to pilot and expand their solutions in target communities and geographies.

Participants also receive strategic mentorship from industry and ecosystem experts, networking and partnership opportunities, and national visibility through the Better Bharat platform and partner networks. This program is suited for revenue-stage startups seeking non-financial support for scaling impact and market reach.

Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 (EarthON Foundation)

The Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 is a flagship initiative identifying, supporting, and scaling groundbreaking innovations in circularity across critical waste streams in India. This program, an initiative by EarthON Foundation in collaboration with Greenovation Hub and SwitchON Foundation, targets startups, SMEs, and social enterprises with solutions for plastic, textile, and food waste, offering funding up to ₹4,00,00,000.

The challenge focuses on three core action pillars: Plastic Circularity (innovations for recovery, reuse, recycling, smart sorting, and development of sustainable materials); Textile Circularity (solutions for waste collection, sorting, recycling technologies, and sustainable textile production); and Food Waste Circularity (strategies for waste reduction, valorization, and innovative processing methods). Solutions should address environmental impact, resource efficiency, and economic viability. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2026.

Odisha MSME State Awards (MSME Department, Government of Odisha)

The Odisha MSME State Awards program is an annual initiative under the Odisha MSME Development Policy 2022. It recognizes and financially incentivizes micro, small, and medium enterprises that demonstrate performance, innovation, and contributions to the state's economy. Awards are up to ₹1,51,000.

The program aims to foster a dynamic and competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem across Odisha, encouraging MSMEs to adopt best practices, innovate consistently, and achieve higher standards of quality and productivity. These awards highlight successful enterprises, inspiring new entrepreneurs and strengthening the overall industrial base.

UP Grand Challenges Grant (Government of Uttar Pradesh)

Under the Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026, the state conducts UP Grand Challenges Grant. These are open, competitive calls where scaling-stage startups are evaluated on merit, with winners receiving grant-in-aid of up to ₹3,00,00,000 per supported startup.

Challenges are organized by the State Government periodically, each with its own prescribed guidelines. The theme, invited sectors, and number of winners vary by round. Because selection occurs through an open evaluation process rather than a standing application window, startups should monitor the UP Startup Mission portal for individual challenge guidelines.

Before Applying

Several programs target specific startup characteristics. The Kerala Startup Mission's Market Acceleration Grant and Scaleup Grant require a KSUM Unique ID and incorporation as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or OPC, with the Scaleup Grant further requiring ₹10 lakhs revenue in six months or ₹30 lakhs external equity. Tamil Nadu's Space Tech Fund mandates DPIIT recognition for space-tech startups and either existing registration in Tamil Nadu or a commitment to relocate. The Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund is exclusively for SC/ST entrepreneurs.

Pay close attention to application timelines and program structures. The Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 has a firm deadline of 31 October 2026. Programs like the UP Grand Challenges Grant and Capgemini's Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat operate through competitive calls or direct deployment opportunities, necessitating a close watch on their respective portals for updated guidelines or cohort announcements. Many rolling programs, like those from KSUM, release funds in milestone-based tranches.