10 Startup Grants and Funding Programs Newly Listed This Week — July 2026

This week, 10 new grants, incubation programs, and competitions for startups and innovators were added to Startup Grants India. The offerings include global fellowships, national hackathons, deep tech grants, and state-level incentives from organizations such as the Watson Institute, FITT IIT Delhi, Ministry of MSME, and the European Innovation Council.

Newly Listed This Week

Western Union Global Fellowship 2026 (Watson Institute)

The Western Union Global Fellowship 2026 is a 16-week virtual program run by Watson Institute in partnership with Western Union. It targets entrepreneurs and community leaders building ventures that address challenges in historically underserved, refugee, and displaced communities. The fellowship provides training, mentorship, and a stipend (amount varies). Participants must be at least 18 years old and proficient in English. Applications close 12 July 2026.

Navachar Mantra: From Idea to Enterprise (FITT, IIT Delhi)

Navachar Mantra: From Idea to Enterprise is a six-month zero-cost incubation programme by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, implemented by NIESBUD with FITT, IIT Delhi as knowledge partner. It focuses on grassroots innovators from Tier-2/3 cities, rural areas, and aspirational districts. Selected participants receive mentorship, training, and support to build market-ready enterprises. The deadline is 5 July 2026.

Excelium-SINE DeepTech Innovation Grant Program (MSInS)

The Excelium-SINE DeepTech Innovation Grant Program is a CSR grant by Excelium Technologies, powered by SINE at IIT Bombay. It supports early-stage deep tech startups at TRL 4 and above with milestone-based funding up to ₹20 lakh. Eligible startups must be registered in India and work on product development and validation. Applications are due 16 July 2026.

MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 (Ministry of MSME)

The MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 — themed "Frontier Technology in MSMEs" — invites Indian citizens aged 18+ to submit ideas addressing national challenges. Selected ideas receive up to ₹15 lakh in funding through approved Host Institutes, along with incubation and mentoring. The hackathon aims to build a future-ready MSME ecosystem. Deadline: 14 July 2026.

EIC Accelerator (European Innovation Council)

The EIC Accelerator is a Horizon Europe programme for startups and SMEs with game-changing innovations. It offers grant funding up to €2.5 million (approx. ₹23.75 crore) for innovation activities (TRL 6-8) and equity investments up to €15 million through the EIC Fund. Blended finance is possible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Eligibility extends to EU member states and associated countries.

Exim Bank Ubharte Sitaare Programme (FITT, IIT Delhi)

The Exim Bank Ubharte Sitaare Programme identifies and nurtures Indian companies with high export potential. Implemented by FITT, IIT Delhi, it provides a mix of equity, debt, and technical assistance up to ₹1.1 crore. Eligible companies must have differentiated technology or products and be looking to scale exports. Deadline: 10 July 2026.

Scheme for Patent Filing under VIR (Goa State Innovation Council)

The Scheme for Patent Filing under VIR by GSInC covers the cost of filing provisional patent applications for innovators and students registered on the Virtual Innovation Register. The fee (up to ₹10,000) is paid directly to empaneled patent attorneys. There is no cash disbursement to applicants. Rolling applications.

Scheme to Provide Grant In Aid for Prototyping under VIR (Goa State Innovation Council)

The Scheme to Provide Grant In Aid for Prototyping supports students, startups, and innovators registered on VIR to build working prototypes. Grants up to ₹20,000 are awarded per approved project by an Advisory Committee. Rolling applications.

Interest Subsidy Reimbursement Scheme (Goa Startup Mission)

The Interest Subsidy Reimbursement Scheme reimburses 30% of interest paid on commercial loans taken by Goa-registered startups, up to ₹10 lakh. The startup must take a loan independently; the government reimburses a portion of the interest. Rolling applications.

Matching Grant Scheme (Goa Startup Mission)

The Matching Grant Scheme provides equity co-investment matching 25% of funds raised from a registered investor, up to ₹25 lakh. The government takes proportionate equity in the startup. Available to 20 selected startups in Goa. Rolling applications.

Before Applying

Several programs have specific eligibility constraints. The Navachar Mantra programme is restricted to grassroots innovators from Tier-2/3 cities, rural areas, and aspirational districts; city-based startups are not eligible. The Matching Grant Scheme and other Goa-specific programs require the startup to be registered in Goa. The EIC Accelerator is open only to entities in EU member states or associated countries. The Exim Bank Ubharte Sitaare Programme focuses on companies with export potential and may require DPIIT recognition.

Application timing also varies. The Western Union Global Fellowship, Navachar Mantra, Excelium-SINE, MSME Idea Hackathon, and Exim Bank programme have fixed deadlines in July 2026. The EIC Accelerator and Goa schemes accept rolling applications. Some programs, like the MSME Idea Hackathon, require participants to work through a Host Institute. Ensure you register on the relevant portals well in advance.