Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — October 2026

Indian startups operating in the Deeptech, Electronics, and Robotics sectors have access to 10 active funding and support programs this October. These opportunities encompass direct grants, incubation support with seed funding, and national-level competitions.

The funding landscape for these advanced technology domains in India is shaped by a mix of government initiatives, institutional incubation programs, and industry-backed challenges. This ecosystem aims to foster innovation from proof-of-concept to market, providing both capital and strategic resources for technology development and commercialization.

Active Deeptech, Electronics & Robotics Grants and Programs

iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)

iCreate, a government-recognised Technology Business Incubator, provides the iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support for startups working to convert a proof-of-concept (PoC) or prototype into a market-ready product. This program offers financial assistance of up to ₹30,00,000, along with a comprehensive support system.

Beyond funding, participants benefit from business and technical mentorship, access to prototyping and digital innovation labs, and connections with investors, industry leaders, and the broader startup ecosystem. iCreate also provides incubation support and offers hostel accommodation at its campus, making it a holistic program for early-stage deeptech ventures. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing continuous intake of promising projects.

NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program (NASSCOM)

The NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program offers a subsidized zero-equity incubation program tailored for technology startups in emerging domains like IoT and Artificial Intelligence. Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Haryana through Hartron, this program focuses on accelerating product development and technical validation.

Selected startups gain access to a subsidized co-working environment and advanced prototyping labs. The program also provides shared complimentary GPU access, a valuable resource for AI-focused startups training and testing computational models. This initiative emphasizes infrastructure, ecosystem access, and enterprise integration opportunities rather than direct grant capital. Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

Soma Fellows (Soma)

Soma, an investment firm with a history in building and investing in startups, offers the Soma Fellows program. This initiative aims to be a primary resource for founders, leveraging Soma's global network and experience in seeding over 30 unicorn companies across various technology sectors.

The program provides substantial, uncapped funding, with initial investments potentially reaching up to ₹18,00,00,000. Startups receive deep strategic guidance derived from years of direct involvement in startup growth and investment. Soma Fellows is open for applications on a rolling basis, seeking to support brilliant individuals and companies with capital and expertise.

IHFC Startup Incubation Program (IHFC, IIT Delhi)

The IHFC Startup Incubation Program is an intensive incubation and acceleration initiative hosted at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). Established as a Section 8 company under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NMICPS), IHFC focuses on fostering deep tech innovation across India.

This program is dedicated to advancing India's capabilities in pivotal technological domains, including Cyber Physical Systems (CPS), Robotics, Autonomous Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). IHFC aims to cultivate a dynamic and globally competitive startup ecosystem, positioning India at the forefront of technological leadership. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy (KBITS, Government of Karnataka)

The Government of Karnataka, through the Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS), offers Patent Reimbursement Incentives as part of its Startup Policy. This program is designed to alleviate the financial burden associated with securing intellectual property rights for promising technology-driven ventures.

Eligible startups, specifically those officially registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell and incubated, can receive up to ₹10,00,000 in reimbursement for patent-related expenditures. This support helps startups protect their innovations and maintain a competitive edge. Applications are processed on a rolling basis.

Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi (Electropreneur Park)

The Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi is an Open Challenge Program aimed at empowering startups in the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) domain. This platform identifies, recognizes, and rewards aspiring and early-stage tech entrepreneurs across India who are developing innovative solutions for real-world problems.

Participants gain access to networking opportunities, seed funding, expert mentoring, and dedicated support for training, marketing, and patenting activities. The program also provides access to Electropreneur Park's Centers of Excellence (CoE) labs, specialized tools, software, and advanced incubation facilities. The deadline for this program is 6 October 2026.

Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program (NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore)

In partnership with Maruti Suzuki India Limited, NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore offers the Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program. This 6-month initiative focuses on accelerating the growth of technology and mobility startups dedicated to transforming the automotive sector.

The program targets ventures past the ideation phase, specifically those at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or paid pilot stage, and supports companies focused on growth and scale. It fosters innovation in areas such as electric vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems, data analytics, sustainable manufacturing, and connected cars. Funding of up to ₹1,00,00,000 is available, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Social Alpha SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program (Social Alpha)

Social Alpha, with support from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), presents the Social Alpha SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program. This initiative serves as India's premier lab-to-market platform for SpaceTech entrepreneurs and startups, addressing the need to leverage space science and technology across various sectors.

SpIN's mission is to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship within the deep science and SpaceTech landscape. The platform provides access to ISRO facilities, expert mentorship, and a comprehensive support ecosystem. Key application areas include aviation, maritime and land transportation, urban planning, mapping, disaster management, food security, sustainable agriculture, environmental monitoring, and natural resource management. Applications are processed on a rolling basis.

STPI IGNITE Open Challenge Programme 2026 (Software Technology Parks of India (STPI))

The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) launched the STPI IGNITE Open Challenge Programme 2026 as a national platform for innovation and entrepreneurship in Industry 4.0. This program targets aspiring and early-stage startups and individual innovators in key technological areas such as Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT).

The program's core objective is to leverage technology-driven solutions to address real-world challenges, contributing to India's digital transformation. Industry 4.0, characterized by the convergence of digital, physical, and biological worlds, is expected to redefine global manufacturing and industrial processes. Funding of up to ₹15,00,000 is available, with a deadline of 25 October 2026.

The Liveability Challenge 2027 (Temasek Foundation)

Presented by Temasek Foundation and organized by Eco-Business, The Liveability Challenge 2027 is Asia’s largest sustainability solutions platform with a global reach. The tenth edition features a pool of over S$5.5 million (up to ₹7,50,57,000) and new Oceans, Decarbonisation, and Cool Earth themes.

TLC connects innovators with funding and market pathways for high-potential climate and sustainability solutions. Since 2018, it has attracted thousands of global applications, incubated over 61 startups, and deployed nearly S$18 million in funding. Selected finalists pitch at the Grand Finale during Ecosperity Week 2027 in Singapore. The deadline for applications is 12 February 2027, with deep-tech decarbonisation solutions being a key focus.

Before Applying

Several programs outlined require specific eligibility criteria. The Patent Reimbursement Incentives from the Karnataka Startup Policy, for instance, are exclusively for incubated startups officially registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. The Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program specifically targets ventures beyond the ideation phase, requiring a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or paid pilot stage for consideration.

Urgency varies among these programs. The Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi has an immediate deadline of 6 October 2026, making prompt application necessary. The STPI IGNITE Open Challenge Programme 2026 follows with a deadline of 25 October 2026. Many other programs, including those from iCreate, NASSCOM CoE, Soma, IHFC, Patent Reimbursement Karnataka, Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL, and Social Alpha SpIN, operate on a rolling application basis, allowing for ongoing submission and evaluation.