Social & Impact Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — July 2026
India's social & impact startup ecosystem offers 10 active grants, incubators, and competitions in July 2026. Programs cover women's empowerment, healthcare, mental health, and fintech. Apply by deadlines from July 31 to September 15.
As of July 2026, there are 10 active grant, incubation, and competition programs for social and impact startups in India. These programs range from early-stage grants to large-scale prizes, covering sectors such as women's economic empowerment, healthcare, mental health, and fintech.
The funding landscape for social & impact startups in India includes institutional programs from IIMA Ventures, Reliance Foundation, and Villgro, alongside government-supported initiatives like the Atal Incubation Mission and competitions like the Wellcome Prize. This article lists all currently open opportunities.
Active Social & Impact Grants and Programs
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's Economic Empowerment | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | ₹45,00,000 |
| Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026 | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| SheConnects Digital Accelerator India 2026 (Round 2) | Grant/Incubation | 4 Sep 2026 | Up to ₹4,20,00,000 |
| MAP-Health | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹2,20,000 |
| Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 | Competition | Rolling | Up to ₹13,00,000 |
| Indian Innovation Icons 2027 | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature | Competition | 15 Sep 2026 | Up to ₹9,52,80,000 |
| AWE Tech Innovation Challenge 2026 | Competition | 31 Jul 2026 | Up to ₹2,49,00,000 |
| Swanari TechSprint 4.0: AI for Inclusive Finance | Competition | 15 Aug 2026 | Varies |
Women's Economic Empowerment (IIMA Ventures)
The Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) program is an AI and innovation initiative by IIMA Ventures, with support from the Gates Foundation. It targets technology-enabled solutions that enhance women's economic participation. Selected startups receive incubation and grant funding of ₹45,00,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026 (India Accelerator)
The Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026 is hosted by India Accelerator and funded by Schaeffler India. It aims to support social entrepreneurs from Tier II, Tier III, and rural India. The program provides mentorship, catalytic funding, and industry networks. Grant amounts vary; applications are rolling.
SheConnects Digital Accelerator India 2026 (Round 2) (Reliance Foundation)
The SheConnects Digital Accelerator India 2026 (Round 2) is a grant and incubation program by Reliance Foundation and Gates Foundation, managed by GSMA Foundation. It seeks to scale proven solutions for women's digital inclusion in India. Funding is up to ₹4,20,00,000. Deadline: 4 September 2026.
MAP-Health (Villgro)
The MAP-Health (Market Access Partnerships) program by Villgro accelerates market entry for social enterprises in Indian healthcare. Villgro is India's oldest social enterprise incubator. The program offers incubation and varying grant amounts on a rolling basis.
Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program (AIC-IIITH Foundation)
The Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program is a 4-6 month acceleration program by AIC-IIITH Foundation, in partnership with Coherent Corp and supported by Atal Innovation Mission. It targets deep-tech solutions at TRL 3 (prototype stage) addressing social or climate problems. Equity-free grants of up to ₹2,20,000 are provided against milestones. Rolling applications.
Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)
The Maruti Suzuki Nurture Cohort 4 is a pre-incubation initiative by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, focusing on eastern, north-eastern, and central India. It covers mobility, sustainability, and social impact domains. Benefits include cash rewards up to ₹13,00,000, paid PoC opportunity, and mentorship. Rolling applications.
Indian Innovation Icons 2027 (Marico Innovation Foundation)
The Indian Innovation Icons 2027 is a biennial competition by Marico Innovation Foundation. It provides strategic mentorship, investor access, and national visibility to founders tackling real-world challenges. Both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations can apply. Varies funding; rolling deadline.
The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature (Wellcome)
The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science is an international competition by Wellcome and Nature. It supports novel interventions for anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Prize money is up to ₹9,52,80,000. Deadline: 15 September 2026.
AWE Tech Innovation Challenge 2026 (AWE Funds)
The AWE Tech Innovation Challenge 2026 is an investment initiative by AWE Funds, supported by Evergreen Philanthropic Fund, Bayer Foundation, and AWE Foundation. It backs tech startups addressing underserved and climate-vulnerable communities in India. Funding up to ₹2,49,00,000. Deadline: 31 July 2026.
Swanari TechSprint 4.0: AI for Inclusive Finance (IIMA Ventures)
The Swanari TechSprint 4.0 is a competition co-created by RBIH and IIMA Ventures, focusing on AI-driven fintech for women SHGs and entrepreneurs in India. It seeks solutions for credit access, savings, and digital bookkeeping. Varied funding; deadline: 15 August 2026.
Before Applying
Several programs have specific eligibility constraints. Maruti Suzuki Nurture prioritizes startups from eastern, north-eastern, and central India. Akash Coherent ImpactTech requires a deep-tech prototype at TRL 3. The Wellcome Prize is restricted to mental health interventions for anxiety, depression, and psychosis. AWE Tech targets underserved and climate-vulnerable communities.
Deadlines are staggered: AWE Tech closes on 31 July 2026, Swanari TechSprint on 15 August, SheConnects Digital Accelerator on 4 September, and Wellcome Prize on 15 September. The remaining programs accept rolling applications, but cohort-based intakes may have internal cutoffs. Review each program's details for application requirements.
