16 Startup Grants and Seed Funds Closing This Week (28 September-2 October 2026)
As September draws to a close, 16 significant funding programs for Indian startups are reaching their deadlines. These opportunities cover grants, incubation, and competitions across various sectors, including AI, cybersecurity, deep tech, and healthcare. Act quickly to secure support for your venture.
This week, 16 startup grants, seed funds, incubation programs, and competitions are closing their application windows between 28 September and 2 October 2026. These programs offer critical support for various stages of startup growth and innovation. The opportunities include government grants, institutional seed funds, startup competitions, and incubation programs from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), IIT Madras, C3iHub IIT Kanpur, Technology Development Board (TDB), FITT IIT Delhi, IIMK LIVE, Rao Family Trust (RAFT), IIT Palakkad, IHFC IIT Delhi, Aum Ventures, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), RevenueCat, European Patent Office, OneAquaHealth, GatewayGS, and Savli Technology and Business Incubator (STBI).
At a Glance
TANUH - C-CAMP Innovations Program: AI in NCDs (C-CAMP) Closes 28 September 2026
The TANUH - C-CAMP Innovations Program: AI in NCDs is a joint initiative by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) and the TANUH Foundation (Translational Artificial Intelligence for Networked Universal Health Care), the AI Centre of Excellence in Healthcare hosted at IISc. This program seeks promising Indian-developed, AI-based innovations that address priority non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and metabolic liver diseases. Support is tailored to the technology stage, backing 8 innovations from a ₹2.25 crore grant pool, with individual grants up to ₹50,00,000.
C3iHub IIT Kanpur Cybersecurity Startup Incubation Program – Cohort VII (C3iHub, IIT Kanpur) Closes 28 September 2026
The C3iHub IIT Kanpur Cybersecurity Startup Incubation Program – Cohort VII is a flagship initiative by C3iHub (IHUB NTIHAC FOUNDATION), a Section 8 company under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Jointly organized with FIRST, a Technology Business Incubator, this program nurtures and accelerates early-stage startups developing innovative products, technologies, and solutions in cybersecurity. It provides incubation and acceleration support, along with funding up to ₹30,00,000 for selected ventures.
Tech Pioneer Grant 2026 – Energy Catalyst (IIT Madras Incubation Cell) Closes 28 September 2026
The Tech Pioneer Grant 2026 – Energy Catalyst is a collaborative effort by Chevron ENGINE and IIT Madras, focusing on social entrepreneurship and innovation in the energy sector. It supports innovators, student teams, researchers, and social entrepreneurs developing scalable energy solutions. The program targets deep-tech solutions in energy technology, energy infrastructure, resource efficiency, and carbon utilization, aiming to bring impactful innovations to life. It provides support from the prototype stage through market readiness, with varied funding amounts.
INDIA DeepSpark 2026 Accelerator (Aum Ventures) Closes 30 September 2026
INDIA DeepSpark '26, Aum Ventures' initiative in partnership with T-Hub, identifies and fosters next-generation DeepTech innovation from India. This program targets early-stage founders building globally scalable, IP-led technologies. The accelerator offers pre-seed/seed capital up to ₹9,50,00,000 and a support ecosystem. Participants gain access to a global network across the US, Israel, and the Middle East, along with strategic guidance and investor connections.
SwasthyaTech Synapse 2026 (IHFC, IIT Delhi) Closes 30 September 2026
SwasthyaTech Synapse 2026 is an initiative by IHFC (I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics), the Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Delhi, operating under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) by the Department of Science & Technology (DST). This program serves as a launchpad for researchers and innovators with a working prototype in healthcare technology. It aims to accelerate deep-tech innovation in MedTech by fostering industry collaborations and providing funding support up to ₹5,00,00,000, enabling the transition of prototypes into deployable solutions.
RevenueCat Shipaton 2026 (RevenueCat) Closes 30 September 2026
RevenueCat Shipaton 2026 is a global online hackathon hosted by RevenueCat, a leading subscription management platform for mobile apps. The competition invites developers, designers, and product builders to create innovative mobile apps and games using RevenueCat's tools. Open to individual developers and teams worldwide, including Indian participants, the hackathon offers a prize pool of ₹3,82,50,000. It runs from August 1 to September 30, 2026, with projects submitted via Devpost.
Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 (Technology Development Board (TDB)) Closes 30 September 2026
The Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is an initiative by India's TDB (Department of Science & Technology) and Business Finland. It fosters bilateral research and development partnerships between the two nations. The program supports market-driven projects focused on developing new products, processes, or enhanced services that will lead to commercialization in global markets. Indian entities can receive grant funding up to ₹2,50,00,000 per project, capped at 50% of the total Indian project cost, disbursed on a reimbursement basis.
iDEX Open Challenge (Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)) Closes 30 September 2026
The iDEX Open Challenge is a flagship initiative by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and iDEX, designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within India's defence and aerospace sectors. It seeks to harness advanced technological capabilities for national security, targeting engineers, startups, and MSMEs developing solutions in areas such as autonomous systems, intelligent machines, advanced materials, predictive algorithms, and rocket engines. The program offers up to ₹1,50,00,000 to identify and nurture innovative ideas and products.
AI for Transformative Social Impact Grant (Rao Family Trust (RAFT)) Closes 30 September 2026
The AI for Transformative Social Impact Grant, spearheaded by the Rao Family Trust (RAFT) through its TechForGood initiative, aims to catalyze innovation in artificial intelligence for societal betterment. This program provides financial backing up to ₹50,00,000 to Indian organizations leveraging AI as a fundamental component of solutions for pressing social challenges. It supports AI-native interventions where AI is central to achieving outcomes that would otherwise be difficult or inefficient through traditional methods.
Unnati Se Pragati — Startup Acceleration (UNNATI AI 2.0) (FITT, IIT Delhi) Closes 30 September 2026
Unnati Se Pragati (UNNATI AI 2.0) is an initiative by FITT, IIT Delhi, supported by Microsoft's CSR program (Microsoft Elevate). It is dedicated to transforming AI innovation into societal impact. The Startup Acceleration track helps AI startups with validated local pilots secure zero-equity grant support up to ₹30,00,000. It also provides institutional funding pathways, access to the IIT Delhi and Microsoft ecosystems, market validation, fundraising readiness, and high-impact Demo Days.
DEEP LEAP Incubation Program (IIMK LIVE) Closes 30 September 2026
The DEEP LEAP Incubation Program, powered by Walmart and hosted by IIMK LIVE (the Entrepreneurship Development Centre and Business Incubator at IIM Kozhikode), is a deep-tech incubation initiative. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, the program accelerates the growth of next-generation technology-driven startups. It offers up to ₹30,00,000, mentorship, industry connections, investor access, and capacity-building to empower innovators transforming breakthrough deep-tech ideas.
Young Inventors Prize 2027 (European Patent Office) Closes 30 September 2026
The Young Inventors Prize 2027, organized by the European Patent Office (EPO), is an international competition recognizing young innovators worldwide. It targets individuals and teams developing technology-driven solutions for global sustainability challenges, directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The prize offers up to ₹19,00,000 (€20,000), international recognition, and opportunities to showcase inventions globally.
IPTIF Housing & Construction EiR 2026 (IIT Palakkad Technology IHub Foundation (IPTIF)) Closes 30 September 2026
The IPTIF Housing & Construction EiR 2026 is a flagship initiative led by IIT Palakkad Technology IHub Foundation (IPTIF), in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) and Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM). This program identifies and supports early-stage innovators and ventures developing groundbreaking solutions for the housing and construction sector. It fosters sustainable, affordable, and climate-responsive technology-driven solutions for housing, with varied support.
OneAquaHealth IEEE Global Hackathon (OneAquaHealth) Closes 1 October 2026
The OneAquaHealth IEEE Global Hackathon is an online competition organized by OneAquaHealth in partnership with IEEE. Participants are challenged to build innovative solutions for water quality, aquatic ecosystem health, and related environmental issues using technology, AI, and data science. Open to developers, data scientists, engineers, students, and innovators worldwide, the hackathon runs from September 14 to October 1, 2026. It offers a total prize pool of ₹2,70,000, judged on creativity, technical execution, and real-world impact.
GatewayHacks 2026 | Software & AI (GatewayGS) Closes 2 October 2026
GatewayHacks 2026 | Software & AI is an online hackathon organized by GatewayGS. It challenges participants to build software and AI-powered solutions addressing real-world problems, with an emphasis on social good and accessibility. This hackathon is open to anyone interested in software development, machine learning, or AI, including beginners. It focuses on two primary themes: Software and AI, providing up to ₹10,75,020 in prizes.
HackTheHurdle STBI Hackathon 2026 (Savli Technology and Business Incubator (STBI)) Closes 2 October 2026
HackTheHurdle STBI Hackathon 2026 is a statewide, tech-led innovation challenge orchestrated by the Savli Technology and Business Incubator (STBI), under the guidance of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat (DST-GoG). This initiative scouts and accelerates the development of indigenous technologies throughout Gujarat, aligning with national innovation frameworks. It invites students, researchers, and local innovators to address regional and industrial problem statements, offering up to ₹1,50,000.
Before Applying
Several programs in this list have specific eligibility criteria. The TDB India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 requires bilateral R&D partnerships with a Finnish entity, with Indian funding provided on a reimbursement basis for up to 50% of project costs. SwasthyaTech Synapse 2026 and Unnati AI 2.0 specifically look for innovators with a working prototype or a validated local pilot, respectively. Additionally, regional programs like the IPTIF Housing & Construction EiR 2026 and HackTheHurdle STBI Hackathon 2026 focus on specific regions like Kerala and Gujarat.
This week presents a tight window for many opportunities. TANUH - C-CAMP Innovations, C3iHub, and the Tech Pioneer Grant all close on 28 September. A larger cluster of ten programs, including major opportunities like INDIA DeepSpark, SwasthyaTech Synapse, and the TDB India-Finland Joint Innovation Call, close on 30 September. Hackathons such as OneAquaHealth, GatewayHacks, and HackTheHurdle offer quick turnaround times but also fixed, imminent deadlines.
