5 Startup Grants and Funding Programs Newly Listed This Week — August 2026

Five programs are newly listed on Startup Grants India this week, covering grants, equity investment, and incubation.

They come from IHFC at IIT Delhi, IDBI Capital, Pear VC, IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, and MeitY Startup Hub. Sectors range from defense and healthcare to general early-stage technology.

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Newly Listed This Week

RakshaTech Synapse 2026 (IHFC, IIT Delhi)

RakshaTech Synapse 2026 is an innovation initiative launched by IHFC, the Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Delhi, together with the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) of the Indian Army. The program is designed for researchers, innovators, deep-tech startups, and organizations that already have working prototypes. Selected participants will receive funding support to move from lab-scale research to field-ready deployment.

The initiative focuses on AI, Robotics, Cobotics, and Autonomous Systems for applications in national security, defense, space-based uses, and disaster management. Through industry collaboration and funding, the program aims to accelerate the translation of these technologies into deployable solutions.

Up to ₹5 crore is available per selected project. Applications must be submitted by 26 August 2026.

Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Investment Fund for SC/ST (IDBI Capital)

The Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Investment Fund is managed by IDBI Capital Markets & Securities Ltd. and was formulated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. It was launched on the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar with the objective of promoting financial independence among Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs within Maharashtra.

The fund provides both debt and equity investments to sustainable enterprises that are entirely owned and controlled by SC/ST entrepreneurs. Investment instruments include equity, convertible instruments, and other structures, allowing flexibility based on the business model.

There is no fixed deadline; applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

PearX — Pear VC accelerator (Pear VC)

PearX is a small-batch accelerator run by Pear VC, based in Palo Alto / San Francisco Bay Area, USA. The program is designed for pre-seed companies and runs two cohorts annually — winter (January–April) and summer (July–October). Each cohort provides immersive retreats, one-on-one meetings with Pear partners, workshops, and founder-to-founder mentorship.

Selected startups receive up to ₹17 crore in investment (the exact amount depends on the instrument and terms). The program focuses on intensive, hands-on company building rather than a fixed curriculum.

Applications for the winter 2027 (W27) cohort close on 17 August 2026.

DISHA 3.0 — Developing Innovations for Successful Harnessing and Adoption (IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation)

DISHA 3.0 is a national platform by IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation at IIT Indore, in its third edition. It aims to support technology translation, commercialization, and real-world deployment in the healthcare sector. The program targets researchers, faculty members, students, innovators, and DPIIT-recognized startups across India.

Focus areas include Cyber-Physical Systems in Digital Healthcare, such as medical devices, wearables, AI/ML, IoT & Robotics, point-of-care diagnostics, and healthcare analytics. Selected projects can receive up to ₹1.5 crore in funding and incubation support.

The application deadline is 5 September 2026.

GENESIS EIR 3.0 (MeitY Startup Hub)

GENESIS EIR 3.0 is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence program by MeitY Startup Hub, inviting aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, and early-stage founders. The program provides mentorship, ecosystem access, expert guidance, and support to build scalable technology-driven startups.

No fixed funding amount is specified; support varies based on the project and stage. The program is open to a wide range of applicants across India, with a rolling application process.

Before Applying

Several of these programs carry specific eligibility filters. DISHA 3.0 for instance is open to DPIIT-recognized startups and academic researchers, while RakshaTech Synapse requires a working prototype, not just an idea. The Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Investment Fund is restricted to SC/ST-owned enterprises based in Maharashtra. PearX is aimed at pre-seed companies, making it less suited for later-stage ventures.

The application timelines differ materially. PearX operates on a fixed cohort schedule, so missing the 17 August deadline means waiting for the next batch. RakshaTech Synapse and DISHA 3.0 also have firm cutoff dates. In contrast, GENESIS EIR 3.0 and the Ambedkar Fund accept applications on a rolling basis without a stated deadline.