MeitY Startup Hub Schemes: How to Apply for TIDE 2.0, SAMRIDH and GENESIS

The MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) is the startup platform of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It runs three main funding schemes for tech startups: TIDE 2.0, SAMRIDH and GENESIS. The thing founders most often miss is that you usually don't apply to MeitY directly. The money reaches you through an incubator, accelerator or implementing agency that MeitY has selected. This guide explains each scheme, where it stands, and the real application path.

This guide is based on the official guidelines as of October 2026; always check the portal for the latest rules.

Where each scheme stands (October 2026):

• TIDE 2.0: its approved five-year period ran from 1 February 2019 to 31 January 2024. We could not find an official notice extending it, so ask the incubator whether it still has TIDE 2.0 funds before you apply.
• SAMRIDH: the accelerators for the 2nd cohort were selected in March 2025. Startups apply through those accelerators when they run a call.
• GENESIS: approved in July 2023 for five years, so it is the newest of the three and still within its approved period. Calls are run by its implementing agencies, not by MeitY.

How MSH schemes reach founders

Each scheme picks a set of implementing partners: incubation centres for TIDE 2.0, accelerators for SAMRIDH and implementing agencies for GENESIS. Those partners run their own calls, select startups and release the support. The MSH FAQs say startup eligibility "varies based on the specific program" and that the details are in each programme's guidelines.

In practice the route has three parts:

1. Create a startup account on the MSH portal.
2. Find an incubator, accelerator or agency that runs the scheme you want.
3. Apply to that partner's call when it opens.

You can also browse incubators on Startup Grants India to shortlist centres near you.

TIDE 2.0

What it is. Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0) supports incubators that work with ICT startups using emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, blockchain and robotics to solve problems of social relevance. The MSH TIDE 2.0 page says it is implemented through 51 incubators and aimed to handhold about 2,000 tech startups over 5 years.

Support for startups. The TIDE 2.0 Administrative Approval (1 February 2019) sets out three stages of support, all given through TIDE 2.0 centres:

• Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiR): for idea to proof of concept, up to Rs. 4 lakh
• Grants: for prototype development, up to Rs. 7 lakh
• Investment: for product development and market outreach, up to Rs. 40 lakh

Thematic areas listed in the approval: healthcare, education, agriculture, financial inclusion including digital payments, infrastructure and transportation, environment and clean tech, clean energy, and other emerging areas.

Status. The approval set the scheme period as 1 February 2019 to 31 January 2024. In December 2025 the Minister told the Rajya Sabha that 1,706 startups had been supported under TIDE 2.0, but the statement does not mention new intake. The GENESIS Administrative Approval brings the 51 TIDE centres onto the GENESIS platform "while the fund flow remains as it is". Before you prepare a TIDE application, ask the centre whether it is still taking TIDE applications or now runs its calls under GENESIS.

How to apply. Open the list of TIDE 2.0 incubation centres, pick a centre that fits your sector, and apply through its call.

SAMRIDH

What it is. SAMRIDH stands for Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth. It funds selected accelerators to run programmes for IT-based startups. The MSH SAMRIDH page says it aims to support 300 tech startups over 3 years, in cohorts of 5 to 10 startups, with one-to-one matching funding of up to ₹40 lakh. In the first cohort, 22 accelerators across 12 states supported 175 startups.

How the money works. The SAMRIDH scheme document explains:

• MSH can invest up to ₹40 lakh in a startup, with an average of ₹30 lakh per startup per cohort, depending on the startup's growth stage.
• The accelerator or investor puts in an equal matching amount of up to ₹40 lakh.
• Accelerators are encouraged to invest through a SAFE or promissory note, though the startup, investor and accelerator can agree on another instrument. MSH uses the same instrument as the accelerator, so MSH ends up holding a stake.
• The accelerator may not take equity in return for the services it provides under the scheme. Instead, the scheme gives it a services budget of ₹2 lakh per startup, up to ₹20 lakh per cohort.
• Accelerators run programmes of 6 months, offering customer connect, investor connect, mentoring, legal help with IP and incorporation, and a demo day.

Who applies. MSH first selects accelerators through an Expression of Interest. Startups then apply to a selected accelerator's cohort. For the 2nd cohort, MSH's office memorandum of 3 March 2025 lists the selected accelerators (called Enabling Partners) and the cohort size each one was given. The scheme document does not set separate startup eligibility rules, so read each accelerator's call carefully.

GENESIS

What it is. Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) is MeitY's umbrella scheme for startups, with a focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The MSH GENESIS page gives a budget of Rs. 490 crore over 5 years and a goal of supporting about 1,600 tech startups. It also brings MeitY's startup schemes and assets together. The Administrative Approval is dated 4 July 2023.

Four components listed by MSH:

1. Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR): for students and entrepreneurs validating an idea
2. Pilot: for startups that have validated an idea and need to pilot the product
3. Investment: for startups raising funds from the market
4. Deep-tech: for a select number of startups building high-impact solutions

Funding levels. The GENESIS scheme brochure states:

• Investment: average Rs. 40 lakh, up to Rs. 50 lakh, with 1:1 private-sector matching
• Pilot: average Rs. 40 lakh, up to Rs. 50 lakh, with no matching requirement
• Early-stage startups: up to Rs. 10 lakh, with no matching requirement
• Deep-tech startups: up to Rs. 1 crore per startup, with no matching requirement

Startup eligibility listed in the brochure:

• You are a beneficiary of a MeitY scheme or registered with MSH
• You are DPIIT-registered
• Indian promoters hold at least 51% of shares when you apply to the incubator, as per the Companies Act, 2013
• For certain categories, you have a full-time CEO and a market-ready product and are seeking funds for business development and commercialisation

How to apply. GENESIS runs through about 50 Implementing Agencies, preferably in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Experts select startups through a structured process. Check the list of selected GENESIS Implementing Agencies, then watch each agency's website for a call under the component you fit. Individual calls can add their own conditions, so read the full call. If you are not yet DPIIT-recognised, do that first.

Create your MSH startup account

Registering on MSH comes first for every scheme. For GENESIS it can also count towards eligibility.

1. Go to msh.meity.gov.in and click REGISTER.
2. On the registration page ("Create Your MSH Account As"), choose Startup as your role. Enter your first name, last name, mobile, email, password and confirm password, then click Register.
3. Verify your email. The FAQs say the portal sends an OTP to the mobile number you give, and only one mobile number and one landline of the authorised representative can be entered.
4. Complete your profile. The FAQs mention startup name, founder details, industry sector, company registration number (if applicable) and contact information.
5. Wait for approval. Once the MSH team approves you, you can log in to your dashboard.

Once you are in, the FAQs say you can update your company details under Profile Settings. You can also find programmes and calls for applications, connect with mentors and investors, and book labs or co-working space through the resource booking section.

Documents checklist

Each incubator, accelerator or agency sets its own list, so treat this as a starting point built from the scheme rules:

• Certificate of incorporation (company or LLP)
• DPIIT recognition certificate (required for GENESIS)
• Shareholding pattern showing at least 51% held by Indian promoters (GENESIS)
• MSH registration details
• Pitch deck covering problem, product, technology, market and team
• Product demo or prototype evidence, especially for pilot and investment stages
• Details of any matching investor, for SAMRIDH or the GENESIS investment component
• Founder ID and KYC documents, as the partner asks

Need help with your pitch or application? See our application services. For other options, browse government schemes.

FAQ

Can I apply to MeitY directly for TIDE 2.0, SAMRIDH or GENESIS?

Usually not. These schemes are delivered through selected incubators, accelerators and implementing agencies. You apply to their calls. MSH registration helps, and for GENESIS it is one of the listed eligibility routes.

Do I need DPIIT recognition?

For GENESIS, the brochure lists DPIIT registration as a startup selection criterion. For TIDE 2.0 and SAMRIDH, check the call from the incubator or accelerator you are applying to.

Is SAMRIDH funding a grant?

No. The scheme document describes it as investment, usually through a SAFE or promissory note, with equal matching from the accelerator or investor. MSH uses the same instrument as the accelerator.

Is TIDE 2.0 still open?

Its approved period ended on 31 January 2024, and we found no official extension. GENESIS now brings the TIDE centres onto one platform. Ask the centre directly which scheme its current calls fall under.

Does MSH registration cost anything?

The registration form we checked does not ask for any payment. The FAQs say some resource bookings on the portal may carry charges.

Can I get support from more than one MeitY scheme?

The scheme pages don't spell this out, and an individual call can set its own exclusions. Check the current call and ask your incubator before you apply.

Sources

• MeitY Startup Hub: FAQs
• MeitY Startup Hub: Registration
• MeitY Startup Hub: TIDE 2.0
• MeitY: Administrative Approval for TIDE 2.0, 1 February 2019 (PDF)
• MeitY Startup Hub: List of Incubation Centres under TIDE 2.0 (PDF)
• PIB: Over 1700 startups supported under TIDE 2.0, 19 December 2025
• MeitY Startup Hub: SAMRIDH
• MeitY Startup Hub: SAMRIDH scheme document (PDF)
• MeitY Startup Hub: Selection of Enabling Partners for SAMRIDH 2nd cohort, 3 March 2025 (PDF)
• MeitY Startup Hub: GENESIS
• MeitY: Administrative Approval for GENESIS, July 2023 (PDF)
• MeitY Startup Hub: GENESIS scheme brochure (PDF)
• MeitY Startup Hub: List of selected GENESIS Implementing Agencies (PDF)

Cover photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash