Social & Impact Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — August 2026

As of August 2026, at least 10 active grants, incubation programs, and competitions are accepting applications from social and impact startups in India. These programs span women's economic empowerment, mental health, healthcare access, financial inclusion, and climate technology.

The funding landscape for social and impact ventures in India includes institutional incubators like IIMA Ventures and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, philanthropic foundations such as Wellcome and Marico Innovation Foundation, and corporate programs from Capgemini, Maruti Suzuki, and Suzuki. Government-backed resources like Atal Innovation Mission and RUSA 2.0 also fund early-stage experimentation.

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Active Social & Impact Grants and Programs

Women's Economic Empowerment (IIMA Ventures)

The Women's Economic Empowerment program is an AI and innovation initiative led by IIMA Ventures, the startup incubator and accelerator at IIM Ahmedabad. The program is supported by the Gates Foundation and targets technology-enabled solutions that can materially improve women's economic standing.

Selected startups receive grant funding starting at ₹45 lakh and gain access to IIMA Ventures' incubation ecosystem. The program focuses on scalable models that address gender equality and economic empowerment, with an expectation of measurable societal impact.

MAP-Health (Villgro)

MAP-Health (Market Access Partnerships) is a Villgro program that accelerates market entry and expansion for social enterprises in the Indian healthcare sector. It provides strategic guidance and expert interventions to help enterprises reach patients and providers.

Villgro is India's oldest and largest social enterprise incubator. Through MAP-Health, it applies its impact investing and incubation experience to healthcare startups that address critical access gaps. The program structure and funding vary by enterprise need.

Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program (AIC-IIITH Foundation)

The Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program is a 4-6 month acceleration initiative run by AIC-IIITH Foundation, the Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad. It operates in partnership with Coherent Corp and is supported by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. The program targets the "transition gap" between a working lab prototype at TRL 3 and a market-ready product.

Selected teams receive grant funding up to ₹2,20,000, released in milestones against progress from prototype to a validated pilot. The program focuses on deep-tech solutions that address social or climate problems and contribute to India's Sustainable Development Goals.

Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) (Andhra University)

The Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) provides up to ₹5 lakh per project under RUSA 2.0. It marks the university's centenary and is designed as a non-dilutive on-ramp from lab or classroom ideas into market-facing ventures.

The grant supports research, prototyping, and startup ideas from the Andhra University ecosystem. Focus areas include AI, IT/ITES, healthtech, greentech, robotics, IoT, materials science, and social-impact innovation. Selected innovators also receive mentorship and validation support.

Next Bharat Residency Program (Next Bharat Ventures)

The Next Bharat Residency Program is run by Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limited, a Suzuki Initiative. It targets impact entrepreneurs building for India's informal urban (India 2) and rural (India 3) economies, which together serve over one billion people with household incomes from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per year.

The program runs in hybrid format over 3 months, with three weeks of in-person sessions in Bengaluru and ongoing virtual engagement. Selected founders receive equity-based funding of up to ₹5 crore and a nominal stipend for living expenses.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a joint pre-incubation initiative of Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. It focuses on early-stage startups, with a regional emphasis on eastern, north-eastern and central India, though startups offering services anywhere in India can apply.

Focus domains include mobility convenience, tech in mobility (ADAS, V2X, EV and EV infrastructure, autonomous mobility), sustainability (eco-friendly packaging, sustainable fuels, plastic alternatives), social impact (rural mobility and skill development), and enterprise and manufacturing (process automation, computer vision, industrial IoT, GenAI). Winners receive cash rewards worth ₹13 lakh, the opportunity for a paid proof of concept, mentorship, and access to Maruti Suzuki's ecosystem.

Indian Innovation Icons 2027 (Marico Innovation Foundation)

Indian Innovation Icons is a biennial platform by Marico Innovation Foundation, now in its 11th edition for 2027. It identifies and supports Indian innovations that address significant real-world challenges, with support including strategic mentorship, investor access, business connections, and national visibility.

The program accepts applications from both for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Funding and support value vary based on the innovation's stage and needs.

The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature (Wellcome)

The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature is an international competition that supports novel interventions for anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Wellcome, a global charitable foundation, and Nature, a science publisher, jointly organize the program to accelerate the development and adoption of effective solutions.

The prize offers funding up to ₹9.52 crore for the selected intervention. It also aims to shape policy priorities in mental health research and innovation. Applications close 15 September 2026.

Swanari TechSprint 4.0: AI for Inclusive Finance (IIMA Ventures)

The Swanari TechSprint 4.0 innovation challenge is co-created by RBIH and IIMA Ventures. It combines fintech innovation with financial inclusion for women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India, specifically focusing on credit access, savings, and digital bookkeeping for SHG members, Sakhis, and women entrepreneurs.

The program deploys AI-enabled solutions to address these gaps at scale. While funding varies, the challenge functions as a capacity-building movement to establish inclusive financial infrastructure. Applications close 15 August 2026.

Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (Capgemini)

The Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) initiative is a multi-state program designed to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems in India. It encourages structured collaboration among innovators, academic institutions, ecosystem partners, and community groups to ensure solutions are rooted in local needs.

Implemented by BharatCares in collaboration with SRF Foundation and powered by Capgemini, ISGBB supports social impact innovations with funding and incubation support. Specific funding amounts vary by state and program stream.

Before Applying

Before applying, verify you meet program-specific eligibility. The Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant is restricted to projects from the AU ecosystem. Maruti Suzuki NURTURE prioritizes eastern, north-eastern and central India, though it accepts applications from anywhere. Next Bharat Residency Program targets founders building for India 2 and 3 economies, defined by household income between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹10 lakh per year.

Two deadlines are imminent: Swanari TechSprint 4.0 closes 15 August 2026 — four days from today — and the Wellcome Prize closes 15 September 2026. The remaining programs are rolling, but many are cohort-based with defined intake windows. If a program is rolling, expect review in batches, so early application is still advisable. Confirm whether the program expects a prototype at TRL 3 (Akash) or a working product with partners (MAP-Health).