9 Startup Grants and Funding Programs Newly Listed This Week G August 2026

This week, nine new funding and incubation programs for startups have been listed, offering opportunities across various stages and sectors. These include initiatives from prominent entities like a16z speedrun, Telecom Centres of Excellence India, and IIM Kashipur FIED. Programs provide support ranging from seed capital for early-stage ventures to venture building for climate technology solutions.

The newly added programs encompass grants, seed funds, and incubation support. They target a diverse set of startups, including those in deep technology, agriculture, climate tech, and AI for social impact. Several programs offer financial backing and strategic mentorship.

Newly Listed This Week

Alpha by a16z speedrun (a16z)

The Alpha by a16z speedrun The Alpha Fellowship is for technical students and recent graduates aiming to build or join fast-growing companies. It features a Startup Track, placing fellows in engineering roles with salary and equity at a16z portfolio companies, and a Founder Track, providing upfront, equity-free capital for launching new ventures. Both tracks begin with a two-month in-person fellowship.

Participants receive access to the a16z speedrun and EO Ventures communities. This includes curated networking events, founder AMAs, and mentorship from leaders in tech and venture capital, including Andreessen Horowitz partners.

Him Palam PM-RKVY Agri Business Incubator (Him Palam RABI)

Seed Fund Programme 2026 (Him Palam RABI)

The Him Palam PM-RKVY Agri Business Incubator (Him Palam RABI) Seed Fund Programme 2026 offers seed funding and mentorship to innovative agri-startups in Himachal Pradesh. Hosted at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, it supports ventures scaling within the agricultural sector.

This program is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, following national guidelines. Him Palam RABI, as a RKVY-RAFTAAR agri-business incubator, helps translate agricultural ideas into commercially viable businesses. Applications close on 31 August 2026.

100x100 Fund II

Climate Venture Builder (100x100)

The 100x100 Fund II Climate Venture Builder is a climate venture builder and venture capital fund. Headquartered in Singapore, 100x100 focuses on tackling climate challenges by co-creating companies from the ground up with founders and operators.

100x100 identifies high-emissions areas and develops solutions offering a "green discount" an economic advantage while reducing emissions. This approach involves customer validation before company launch. The fund offers up to ₹14.25 crore in investment.

Program for Extending Financial Support for Prototyping, Proof-of-Concept (POC) Development, Validation of Products & Solutions and Pilot Projects (TCOE India)

The Program for Extending Financial Support for Prototyping, Proof-of-Concept (POC) Development, Validation of Products & Solutions and Pilot Projects provides financial support to eligible Startups and MSMEs. Spearheaded by the Telecom Centres of Excellence India (TCOE India) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, this program facilitates prototyping, PoC development, validation, and pilot deployment of telecom and ICT technologies.

The initiative addresses the need for real-world validation and integration of telecom innovations within operational public or private telecom networks. It aims to bridge the gap between development and commercial viability for cutting-edge technologies, offering up to ₹50 lakh.

AumVC's INDIA Deepspark 2026 (Aum Ventures)

AumVC's INDIA Deepspark 2026 supports India's IP-led deep technology companies, guiding them from research to market commercialization. This program is for startups developing breakthrough innovations in areas such as advanced materials, quantum computing, aerospace, and AI.

Aum Ventures focuses on empowering early-stage founders with capital and strategic guidance to establish a presence in the global technological landscape. The program provides up to ₹9.52 crore in funding.

AI for Transformative Social Impact Grant (RAFT)

The AI for Transformative Social Impact Grant, from the Rao Family Trust (RAFT) through its TechForGood initiative, funds innovation in artificial intelligence for social benefit. It supports Indian organizations using AI as a fundamental component to address social challenges.

The program prioritizes AI-native interventions where AI is central to achieving measurable outcomes that traditional methods cannot. RAFT's vision is to foster transformative and responsible solutions. Applications close on 30 September 2026.

NIDHI-Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS) at RIIDL (RIIDL)

The NIDHI-Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS) at RIIDL provides seed funding to early-stage, innovation- and technology-driven startups. This initiative is part of the Government of India's Department of Science & Technology (DST) and its National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) scheme.

Startups must be incubated within DST-recognised incubators, with RIIDL acting as a disbursing entity. The program helps startups navigate the 'valley of death' between proof-of-concept and commercialization. Funding amounts vary.

NIDHI iTBI Ignition Grant at downtown Venture Labs (AdtU) (dtVL-AdtU)

The NIDHI iTBI Ignition Grant at downtown Venture Labs (AdtU), supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, invites startups in Healthcare and ICT. The incubation program offers support for prototyping, R&D, and market entry.

This initiative provides financial aid, infrastructure, and guidance to scale tech startups from idea to impact. It aims to foster an ecosystem for technological innovation. Applications close on 26 August 2026.

RKVY-RABI Program 2026, IIM Kashipur FIED (Cohort-8) (IIM Kashipur FIED)

The RKVY-RABI Program 2026, IIM Kashipur FIED (Cohort-8) is an initiative for agri-startups in Uttarakhand. Organized by IIM Kashipur FIED and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, it supports agricultural innovation and commercialization.

Participating startups complete a one-month entrepreneurship development program. This program provides business acumen, market understanding, and operational strategies, alongside financial aid. Applications close on 25 August 2026.

Before Applying

Applicants should note specific eligibility criteria. For instance, the Him Palam RABI Seed Fund Programme requires agri-startups to be based in Himachal Pradesh, while the RKVY-RABI Program by IIM Kashipur FIED targets agri-startups within Uttarakhand. Furthermore, the NIDHI-Seed Support System at RIIDL necessitates that startups are already incubated within a DST-recognised incubator.

Application timelines vary, with several programs accepting applications on a rolling basis, such as the Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun and AumVC's INDIA Deepspark 2026. However, programs like the Him Palam RABI Seed Fund Programme, NIDHI iTBI Ignition Grant, and the RKVY-RABI Program have immediate deadlines, closing on August 31, August 26, and August 25, 2026, respectively.