Startup Grants and Funding Programs for Profit-Stage Startups in India — August 2026

This August 2026, five distinct programs are open for profit-stage startups in India, offering grants, incubation support, and competition-based funding. Notable opportunities include the MeitY PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing, BIRAC's Product Commercialization Program, and the Technology Development Board's India-Finland Joint Innovation Call.

The funding landscape for profit-stage startups typically focuses on scaling operations, market expansion, product commercialization, and intellectual property protection. Support at this stage often includes performance-linked incentives, direct grants for R&D or market entry, and reimbursement schemes, catering to companies with proven business models and revenue generation.

Active Programs for Profit-Stage Startups

The Operation of Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (MeitY)

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing is an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It aims to boost domestic electronics manufacturing and attract investment in the sector. The scheme provides financial incentives to eligible companies based on a performance-linked model.

Incentives are calculated on the incremental sales of goods produced in India, benchmarked against a defined base year. This structure ensures that benefits are disbursed upon achievement of actual production and sales targets. Profit-stage electronics manufacturers can leverage this scheme to scale their production capabilities and increase market share through government support linked to their growth.

BIRAC Product Commercialization Program (PCP) Fund (BIRAC)

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), offers the Product Commercialization Program (PCP) Fund. This fund addresses the financial needs for market preparation, pilot deployments, market validation, and large-scale commercialization of biotechnology products or technologies.

The PCP Fund supports Indian biotechnology startups whose products or technologies have completed extensive validation up to the pre-commercialization stage (TRL 7). The deadline for applications is 31 December 2026. This program directly supports profit-stage biotech companies in their final push towards broad market entry and revenue generation.

Haryana Startup Policy 2022 Patent Cost Reimbursement Scheme (Government of Haryana)

The Haryana Startup Policy 2022, led by the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana, includes the Patent Cost Reimbursement Scheme. This scheme provides financial incentives to alleviate the costs associated with securing intellectual property.

The scheme reimburses patent costs up to ₹25,00,000. For profit-stage startups, protecting intellectual property is a key aspect of competitive advantage and market expansion. This rolling scheme allows eligible Haryana-based companies to recover significant expenses incurred in safeguarding their innovations as they grow.

Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 (TDB)

The Technology Development Board (TDB), under India's Department of Science & Technology, in collaboration with Business Finland, launched the India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026. This initiative aims to foster bilateral research and development partnerships between the two nations.

The program supports market-driven projects focused on developing new products, processes, or enhanced services that will lead to commercialization in global markets. Indian entities can receive grant funding up to ₹2.5 crore per project, capped at 50% of the total Indian project cost, disbursed on a reimbursement basis. This is suitable for profit-stage startups aiming for international expansion and collaborative R&D.

Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) (Capgemini)

The Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) initiative is a multi-state program designed to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems across India. It fosters collaboration among innovators, academic institutions, ecosystem partners, and community groups.

Powered by Capgemini and implemented by BharatCares in collaboration with SRF Foundation, ISGBB focuses on driving tangible social impact. Profit-stage startups with a focus on social good and community-centric solutions can participate in this competition to gain exposure, partnerships, and potential funding to expand their impact-driven operations.

Before Applying

Careful review of eligibility criteria is necessary. The MeitY PLI scheme targets large-scale electronics manufacturing with incentives linked to incremental sales. The BIRAC PCP Fund specifically requires biotechnology products or technologies to be at Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7). For the Haryana Patent Cost Reimbursement Scheme, companies must be based in Haryana. The TDB India-Finland Joint Innovation Call necessitates an India-Finland collaborative R&D project with a focus on commercialization, while Capgemini's ISGBB focuses on solutions with social impact.

Application timing varies among programs. The Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 has a near-term deadline of 28 August 2026, requiring immediate action. The BIRAC Product Commercialization Program (PCP) Fund has a deadline of 31 December 2026, allowing more preparation time. The MeitY PLI Scheme, Haryana Startup Policy 2022 Patent Cost Reimbursement Scheme, and Capgemini's ISGBB initiative operate on a rolling or unspecified deadline, indicating continuous application windows.