Social & Impact Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — September 2026

Ten active programs are currently open for social and impact startups in India. These opportunities include grants, incubation programs, equity-based seed funds, and competitions, all designed to support ventures driving positive societal change.The funding landscape for social and impact ventures in India features support from institutional programs and global foundations, complemented by government incentives and impact-focused competitions. This ecosystem fosters solutions addressing critical challenges across various underserved segments.## Active Social & Impact Grants and Programs| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding || :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------- | :-------- | :---------------------------------- || Bharat Inclusion Initiative by IIMA Ventures | Incubation | Rolling | From ₹46.5 lakh || AI and Technology Solutions for Women's Livelihoods | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Varies || Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy | Grant | Rolling | Up to ₹10 lakh || MAP-Health | Incubation | Rolling | Varies || Next Bharat Residency Program | Equity | Rolling | Up to ₹5 crore || Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park | Competition | Rolling | Up to ₹13 lakh || Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) | Competition | Rolling | Varies || Indian Innovation Icons 2027 | Competition | Rolling | Varies || The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature | Competition | 15 September 2026 | Up to ₹9.52 crore || The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize | Competition | 16 September 2026 | Up to ₹18.37 crore |## Bharat Inclusion Initiative (IIMA Ventures)The Bharat Inclusion Initiative (BII) by IIMA Ventures supports for-profit startups applying technology for India's underserved populations. This includes nano-entrepreneurs, low-income and gig workers, women, and migrants. The current program edition is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.Selected startups receive ₹46.5 lakh or more in financial support, disbursed in tranches against agreed milestones and requiring utilization certificates. IIMA Ventures takes a mentoring equity of 3–5% as startups are onboarded into the incubation program. This is structured incubation funding.## AI and Technology Solutions for Women's Livelihoods (Gates Foundation)The AI and Technology Solutions for Women's Livelihoods program invites applications from startups building scalable, high-impact AI and technology solutions to strengthen women’s livelihoods in India. This initiative focuses on improving income growth, access to capital, and market linkages for women workers and micro-entrepreneurs.The program supports innovations targeting women in agriculture, informal work, the gig economy, and care services. Selected startups receive support beyond funding, including long-term mentoring, market access, partnerships with large-scale delivery players, and opportunities to pilot and scale solutions across underserved geographies.## Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy (KBITS, Government of Karnataka)The Patent Reimbursement Incentives under the Karnataka Startup Policy offers support for incubated startups officially registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. KBITS, an agency of the Government of Karnataka, manages this program.The policy aims to reduce the financial costs of securing intellectual property rights, enabling technology-driven ventures in Karnataka to protect their innovations and maintain competitiveness. Eligible startups can receive up to ₹10 lakh in reimbursement.## MAP-Health (Villgro)The MAP-Health (Market Access Partnerships) program, led by Villgro, accelerates market entry and expansion for social enterprises in the Indian healthcare sector. Villgro, India's oldest social enterprise incubator, aims to scale solutions addressing critical societal needs.Through strategic interventions and expert guidance, MAP-Health leverages Villgro's experience in impact investing and social entrepreneurship to foster market-ready innovations. The program offers a platform for scaling solutions.## Next Bharat Residency Program (Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limited)The Next Bharat Residency Program, a Suzuki Initiative by Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limited, empowers impact entrepreneurs across India. The program targets the informal urban (India 2) and rural (India 3) economies, representing a large underserved market.The program runs in a hybrid format over three months, with three weeks of in-person sessions in Bengaluru and ongoing virtual engagement. Selected founders receive equity-based funding of up to ₹5 crore to scale their venture, along with a stipend to cover living expenses.## Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)The Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a joint pre-incubation initiative by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) for early-stage startups. While focusing on eastern, north-eastern, and central India, startups offering services anywhere in India can apply.The program seeks solutions in Mobility Convenience/Assistance, Tech in Mobility (ADAS, V2X, EV & EV infrastructure, autonomous mobility), Sustainability (eco-friendly packaging, sustainable fuels, plastic alternatives), Social Impact (rural mobility & development, skill development), and Enterprise & Manufacturing. Benefits include cash rewards worth ₹13 lakh, opportunities for paid Proof of Concept (PoC), and mentorship.## 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.Capgemini powers this initiative, implemented by BharatCares in collaboration with SRF Foundation. ISGBB supports solutions deeply rooted in community needs, driving social impact across various sectors.## Indian Innovation Icons 2027 (Marico Innovation Foundation)The Indian Innovation Icons program, by the Marico Innovation Foundation, identifies and supports groundbreaking innovations in India. Now in its 11th edition for 2027, the program backs founders and innovators tackling real-world challenges.This initiative provides mentorship, investor access, business connections, and national visibility. It welcomes applications from both for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations, recognizing diverse innovation types.## The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature (Wellcome)The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science, in partnership with Nature, supports novel interventions for anxiety, depression, and psychosis. This international prize aims to accelerate the development, adoption, and policy prioritization of effective solutions.Organized by Wellcome, a global charitable foundation, and Nature, a science publisher, the prize supports research across life, health, and wellbeing, with a focus on mental health. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2026. Up to ₹9.52 crore in funding is available.## The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize (Wellcome)The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize addresses the impact of snakebite envenoming, which affects millions and causes significant deaths and disabilities globally. The burden falls disproportionately on rural, poor, and agrarian communities in South Asia and other regions.This global challenge prize calls for innovators to develop and scale solutions that strengthen community responses, accelerate access to appropriate care, or improve treatment delivery for snakebite. It supports both early-stage concepts and established solutions. The deadline for applications is 16 September 2026. Up to ₹18.37 crore in funding is available.## Before ApplyingBefore applying, social and impact startups should note specific eligibility criteria. The Patent Reimbursement Incentives program, for instance, requires official registration with the Karnataka Startup Cell and incubation in Karnataka. The Next Bharat Residency Program focuses on entrepreneurs serving India's informal urban and rural economies. Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4, while open to services anywhere, targets startups in eastern, north-eastern, and central India.Several programs have rolling deadlines, including the Bharat Inclusion Initiative, AI and Technology Solutions for Women's Livelihoods, MAP-Health, Next Bharat Residency Program, and Indian Innovation Icons 2027. However, two international competitions, The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science and The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize, close on 15 September 2026 and 16 September 2026, respectively, requiring immediate attention.