16 Startup Grants and Seed Funds Closing This Week (27 October – 1 November 2026)
This week brings 16 active startup grants, incubation programs, and competitions with deadlines between October 27 and November 1, 2026. Opportunities cover climate solutions, deep tech, AI, healthcare, and more. Secure funding for your innovative venture.
As October draws to a close, 16 critical startup grants, seed funds, incubation programs, and competitions are set to close between October 27 and November 1, 2026. These programs offer Indian startups opportunities across diverse sectors and stages.
Key organisations offering these opportunities include C-CAMP, MeitY Startup Hub, SIIC IIT Kanpur, SGBAU, SINE IIT Bombay, BIRAC, TIH IIT Bombay, IIIT Hyderabad, AIC-CCMB, Nebius, the Government of Maharashtra, DBT, EarthON Foundation, L&T Finance, the Maryland Blockchain Association, and T-Hub.
At a Glance
1st Call for Validation of Field-Ready Climate Solutions (C-CAMP) Closes 27 October
The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), with support from Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT), has launched its 1st Call for Validation of Field-Ready Climate Solutions. This initiative targets Indian startups with deployment-ready solutions at the intersection of climate change and biology, spanning health, agriculture, and environment sectors.
C-CAMP's Centre of Excellence for Sustainability & Climate Action manages this call, focusing on climate solutions requiring on-field validation. The program supports joint pilot projects designed to generate real-world evidence of impact. Up to ₹50 lakh is available for these joint validation projects, where C-CAMP collaborates with the startup to validate the innovation in the field.
Selected startups gain access to C-CAMP's network of government and industry stakeholders, along with pilot opportunities, enhancing their market reach and credibility.
GENESIS Pilot 2.0 – MeitY Startup Hub (MeitY) Closes 29 October
From the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Startup Hub (MSH), GENESIS Pilot 2.0 provides funding for startups based in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Eligibility requires holding a pilot Purchase Order (PO) or Work Order (WO) from a government body, Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), or large enterprise.
Successful applicants can receive up to ₹40 lakh, disbursed in milestones aligned with the verified cost of pilot delivery. In return, the Implementing Agency, on behalf of MeitY Startup Hub, is allocated equity capped at 3% of the fully diluted post-money shareholding.
Beyond funding, the program offers real-world product validation, market credibility, investor readiness, and enterprise connections. Startups must be DPIIT-recognised, incorporated in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city, 1 to 5 years old, and have Indian founders holding at least 51% equity. An MVP or working prototype and at least one full-time team member are also required.
SINE ACE Semiconductors Accelerator (SINE, IIT Bombay) Closes 30 October
SINE IIT Bombay presents the SINE ACE (Acceleration through Collaborative Engagement) Semiconductors Accelerator. This accelerator is tailored for deep tech startups focused on the semiconductor and semiconductor-adjacent sectors, aiming to bridge the gap between innovation and market readiness.
The program immerses founders in a collaborative ecosystem, connecting them directly with established corporations, investors, and institutions shaping the semiconductor future. It provides comprehensive support for complex semiconductor product development.
Participating startups can receive up to ₹5 crore, along with access to SINE’s extensive network and infrastructure. This initiative supports entrepreneurs through various stages of product development, from initial concept to market deployment.
Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon 2026 (Nebius) Closes 30 October
The Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon 2026 is an international online competition designed to foster innovation in artificial intelligence. Participants are invited to develop and deploy AI systems using Nebius Token Factory or Nebius AI Cloud, while leveraging at least one NVIDIA open-source model like Nemotron.
This hackathon provides an opportunity for individuals, teams, and organizations worldwide to showcase their technical skills and creativity in an open-infrastructure environment. The program covers tracks such as Coding and Agentic Engineering, Best Apps and Agents, Personal AI, and Physical AI.
Beyond the cash prizes, which total up to ₹21,25,200, participants gain visibility and validation for their AI solutions.
Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 (Government of Maharashtra) Closes 30 October
The Government of Maharashtra, in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS), Kaushalyam Balam, and Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University, introduces the Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026. This initiative aims to harness innovation for public good as part of the broader Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
The challenge seeks solutions from innovators across Maharashtra to address governmental and societal challenges across 10 key sectors. It connects innovators with state machinery to transform concepts into impactful realities, fostering a culture of problem-solving and entrepreneurial spirit.
Successful participants can receive up to ₹10 lakh in funding, alongside mentorship and support to scale their solutions.
Rooma Ajay Dubey HII Healthcare Immersion (SIIC IIT Kanpur) Closes 30 October
SIIC IIT Kanpur has launched the Rooma Ajay Dubey HII Healthcare Immersion Program. This program addresses the gap between theoretical healthcare innovation and real-world clinical challenges by offering entrepreneurs direct access to live clinical environments.
Participants can observe, identify problems, and understand healthcare needs from the ground up, fostering ideas informed by patient care realities and operational workflows. The program provides varied funding support.
It aims to refine groundbreaking ideas by immersing innovators in clinical settings, leveraging the daily experiences of healthcare professionals.
SRIF Incubation Program SGBAU 2026 (SGBAU) Closes 30 October
The SGBAU Research and Incubation Foundation at Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University offers the SRIF Incubation Program SGBAU 2026. Supported by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society, this program nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship for early and growth-stage innovative companies.
It provides a comprehensive ecosystem, transforming promising ideas and prototypes into successful ventures through resources, expert guidance, and network access. The program's motto, 'Your Idea. Our Support. A Better Tomorrow.', reflects its commitment to scaling businesses.
This program offers varied amounts of funding and support tailored to the diverse needs of startups across various sectors.
Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 (EarthON Foundation) Closes 31 October
The EarthON Foundation, in collaboration with Greenovation Hub and SwitchON Foundation, presents the Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026. This initiative supports innovations that advance circularity across critical waste streams in India.
The challenge targets startups, SMEs, and social enterprises with solutions for plastic, textile, and food waste. It focuses on three pillars: Plastic Circularity (recovery, reuse, recycling), Textile Circularity (sustainable materials, processing, repair), and Food Circularity (waste reduction, valorization, alternative proteins).
Participants can receive up to ₹4 crore in funding, along with mentorship and access to networks to scale their environmentally focused solutions.
L&T Finance Pitch Point RAISE'26 (L&T Finance Ltd (LTF)) Closes 31 October
L&T Finance hosts the Pitch Point 2nd Edition under RAISE'26. This competition empowers early-stage Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups, offering a platform to showcase solutions directly to decision-makers within the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.
The program aims to foster technologies that can redefine financial paradigms, enhancing lending, risk management, regulatory compliance, and customer experience. It seeks to catalyze innovation within the Indian financial landscape.
Startups can gain visibility, validate their solutions, and compete for funding up to ₹50 lakh, providing a path to integration within the BFSI ecosystem.
TDP Call for Proposal 2026 (11) (TIH IIT Bombay) Closes 31 October
The Technology Innovation Hub (TIH-IoT) at IIT Bombay issues its TDP Call for Proposal 2026 (11). This program supports the commercialization of IoT technologies and bridges the gap between academia and industry.
It invites proposals from faculty and researchers affiliated with academic and research institutions across India. The primary objective is to facilitate the development and refinement of innovative applications harnessing IoT technologies.
The program supports promising product prototypes or applications, offering up to ₹50 lakh to advance these innovations toward market readiness.
D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge (DBT) Closes 31 October
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), BIRAC, and BRIC-ILS drive the D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge. This government initiative, part of India's BioE3 policy, inspires sustainable biotechnological solutions from young students and researchers across India.
The theme is "Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES". Round 1 awards a cash appreciation grant of ₹1 lakh to the top 10 concept proposal winners each month, with up to 120 winners over 12 months. This challenge has rolling monthly submissions.
Winners receive mentorship from DBT-BIRAC, access to 15 iBRIC+ institutions and 95 Bio-NEST incubators, and can compete for further funding up to ₹25 lakh.
Avishkar Venture Studio Winter Cohort 2026 (CIE, IIIT Hyderabad) Closes 31 October
The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at IIIT Hyderabad leads the Avishkar Venture Studio Winter Cohort 2026. This 6-month co-creation program targets early-stage deeptech and deep-IP startups at the Proof-of-Concept (PoC) stage.
The core objective is to transform PoCs into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) through collaborative efforts with IIIT-H's research faculty and laboratory infrastructure. This venture studio model offers a hands-on approach, leveraging academic and technical prowess.
Tailored for ventures aiming for their first market-ready product, the program provides up to ₹10 lakh in funding and extensive technical support.
AIC-CCMB Blaize Health Tech Grant 2026 (AIC-CCMB) Closes 31 October
The Atal Incubation Centre – Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (AIC-CCMB) in Hyderabad, in partnership with Blaize Technologies, has launched the AIC-CCMB Blaize Health Tech Grant 2026. This CSR grant program supports early-stage health tech startups.
The initiative aims to accelerate ventures pioneering solutions that combine healthcare with information and communication technology (ICT). It seeks to identify and nurture innovations capable of impacting the healthcare landscape through technology-driven interventions.
Startups with a strong technological foundation for scalable products or services addressing critical healthcare challenges can receive up to ₹8 lakh in non-dilutive funding.
BIRAC E-YUVA 2026 (BIRAC) Closes 31 October
BIRAC E-YUVA 2026 (Empowering Youth for Undertaking Value Added Innovative Translational Research) is a scheme under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, promoting applied, need-oriented entrepreneurial innovation among young students and researchers.
The program has two categories: BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellows (undergraduate teams with a mentor, 12 months duration, access to E-YUVA Centre facilities) and BIRAC’s Innovation Fellows (individuals with Masters or PhD, 18 months duration, full-time work at an EYC, expected to initiate biotech startups).
This 4th call is anchored at nine established E-YUVA Centres and offers up to ₹5 lakh in support.
MDBA Youth Blockchain Hackathon (Maryland Blockchain Association) Closes 1 November
The Maryland Blockchain Association, in partnership with the Blockchain Legal Institute, organizes the MDBA Youth Blockchain Hackathon 2026. This youth-focused blockchain hackathon invites young innovators globally to build blockchain-based solutions.
Open to youth participants, including Indian students and early-stage builders interested in blockchain technology, the hackathon runs from February 27 to November 1, 2026. This extended duration suggests a multi-round format with project submission and judging.
The competition offers a total prize pool of up to ₹46 lakh, providing a platform for global youth to showcase their blockchain skills.
BuildX Hackathon 2026 (T-Hub) Closes 1 November
The BuildX Hackathon 2026, a collaborative initiative by AIC T-Hub and Crescent Innovation Incubation Council, targets university students, early-stage startups, and individual innovators. This 36-hour hackathon challenges participants to develop solutions across critical sectors.
Hosted at the B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute in Chennai, the event focuses on Aerospace & Defence, Banking & FinTech, Mobility & Automotive, and Climate & Urban Sustainability. Participants apply engineering, AI, ML, and robotics skills to real-world problems.
Beyond the competition, the hackathon emphasizes practical application and collaboration, with prize money up to ₹50,000 for winning solutions.
Before Applying
Careful attention to eligibility criteria is essential for these programs. For instance, the GENESIS Pilot 2.0 requires startups to be DPIIT-recognised, incorporated in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city, and accept an equity stake. Many programs, such as GENESIS, TIH-IoT, and Avishkar, seek ventures with existing MVPs or working prototypes. Sector-specific opportunities are also prominent, including climate solutions from C-CAMP and EarthON, healthcare tech via SIIC IIT Kanpur and AIC-CCMB, and semiconductor innovations from SINE ACE.
Regarding deadlines, C-CAMP's climate solutions call closes earliest on October 27, followed by GENESIS Pilot 2.0 on October 29. A significant cluster of programs, including SINE ACE, Nebius, Seva First, Rooma Ajay Dubey HII, SRIF, Greenovation, L&T Finance, TDP, D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3, Avishkar, AIC-CCMB, and BIRAC E-YUVA, all conclude on October 30 or 31. The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge has rolling submissions, but this specific monthly window closes soon, indicating continuous future opportunities if this one is missed. Finally, the MDBA Youth Blockchain Hackathon and BuildX Hackathon both close on November 1, marking the end of this week's opportunities.
