AI, SaaS & Enterprise Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — September 2026
For AI, SaaS, and Enterprise startups in India, September 2026 presents numerous funding and support opportunities. This article details 10 active grants, seed funds, incubation programs, and innovation challenges designed to fuel growth in the sector.
There are 10 active programs currently open for AI, SaaS, and Enterprise startups in India, encompassing a mix of grants, incubation support, seed funds, and innovation challenges. These initiatives are tailored to support technology-driven businesses at various stages, from early-stage proof-of-concept to scaling.The funding landscape for AI, SaaS, and Enterprise startups in India features support from government-backed incubators, institutional venture funds, and corporate-sponsored competitions. These programs provide capital, mentorship, and market access, addressing specific technological and market needs within the sector.
Active AI, SaaS & Enterprise Grants and Programs
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹30 lakh |
| NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| Soma Fellows | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹18 crore |
| Pre Seed Fund | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹9 crore |
| The Forum Accelerator | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹90 lakh |
| Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park | Competition | Rolling | Up to ₹13 lakh |
| Scheme for Goa Rajya Vidnyanik Puraskar (GRVP) | Competition | Rolling | Up to ₹2 lakh |
| CoE Innovation Challenge: AI-Powered Foreign Object Detection in Bulk Cargo Unloaders | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| iDEX Open Challenge | Competition | 30 September 2026 | Up to ₹1.5 crore |
| Young Inventors Prize 2027 | Competition | 30 September 2026 | Up to ₹19 lakh |
iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)
iCreate offers the iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support program, designed to assist startups in transforming a proof-of-concept (PoC) or prototype into a market-ready product. As a government-recognized Technology Business Incubator, iCreate provides access to various funding schemes from both the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat.
This program includes funding support of up to ₹30 lakh. Beyond capital, iCreate delivers holistic assistance, including business and technical mentorship, access to prototyping and digital innovation labs, and comprehensive incubation support. Startups also benefit from connections with investors, industry leaders, and the wider startup ecosystem, with hostel accommodation available on the iCreate campus.
NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program (NASSCOM)
The NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program is a subsidized zero-equity incubation program for technology startups in emerging domains like IoT and Artificial Intelligence. Supported by MeitY and the Government of Haryana via Hartron, the program focuses on accelerating product development and validation.
Participants gain access to a subsidized co-working environment and advanced prototyping labs. The program provides shared complimentary GPU access, supporting AI-focused startups in training and testing computational models without significant hardware investment. This initiative emphasizes infrastructure, ecosystem access, and enterprise integration.
Soma Fellows (Soma)
Soma offers the Soma Fellows program, providing substantial funding and strategic guidance to founders. Soma, an investment firm, has a history of building and investing in startups, contributing to seeding over 30 unicorn companies across various technology sectors globally.
The program offers uncapped funding, with initial investments reaching up to ₹18.6 crore. This capital is complemented by strategic guidance derived from Soma's direct involvement in startup growth and investment, leveraging its extensive global network to support founders through their entrepreneurial journey.
Pre Seed Fund (Forum Ventures)
Forum Ventures operates a Pre Seed Fund specifically for B2B technology startups, with a focus on B2B SaaS and AI companies. This venture capital firm aims to support early-stage founders by providing hands-on assistance and industry expertise.
The fund invests up to ₹9 crore in selected startups. This capital infusion helps founders drive innovation, validate market fit, and build scalable solutions. Forum Ventures integrates startups into a supportive ecosystem, offering strategic guidance beyond monetary investment.
The Forum Accelerator (Forum Ventures)
The Forum Accelerator is a B2B tech program from Forum Ventures, designed by experienced founders and operators for early-stage B2B software companies. The program acts as a
