Software & IT Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — October 2026

As of October 2026, ten active programs are supporting Software & IT startups across India. These opportunities encompass direct grant funding, comprehensive incubation support, seed investments, and competitive challenges, catering to various stages of startup development. The funding landscape for Software & IT ventures in India is characterized by a mix of government-backed schemes, institutional incubation programs, and sector-specific competitions. These initiatives aim to foster innovation, provide essential infrastructure, and facilitate market access for technology-driven companies.

Active Software & IT Grants and Programs

iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support (iCreate)

iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway Prototype/PoC Funding Support offers funding support and assistance for startups developing a proof-of-concept (PoC) or prototype. iCreate, a government-recognised Technology Business Incubator, provides access to various schemes from the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat.

The program extends holistic support beyond capital, including business and technical mentorship, access to prototyping and digital innovation labs, and connections with investors and industry leaders. Startups can also benefit from incubation support and, if required, hostel accommodation on the iCreate campus, facilitating focused development.

NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program (NASSCOM)

The NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program provides a subsidized, zero-equity incubation program. Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Haryana through Hartron, it accelerates technology startups in emerging domains such as IoT and Artificial Intelligence.

This program focuses on infrastructure, ecosystem access, and enterprise integration rather than direct grant capital. Selected startups gain access to subsidized co-working environments and advanced prototyping labs essential for product development and technical validation. Complimentary GPU access is also provided, benefiting AI-focused startups for computational model training and testing.

Soma Fellows (Soma)

Soma Fellows is a program by Soma, an investment firm with a history of building and investing in startups. Soma, along with the Ranadive family, supports individuals and companies, acting as a primary resource for founders. The firm is known for its global network and track record, having seeded over 30 unicorn companies across technology sectors.

The program offers substantial, uncapped funding for startups, with initial investments reaching up to ₹18.6 crore. This capital infusion is complemented by deep strategic guidance derived from direct involvement in startup growth and investment, aiming to support founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

Pre Seed Fund (Forum Ventures)

Forum Ventures operates a Pre Seed Fund specifically for B2B technology startups, with a focus on B2B SaaS and AI companies. This venture capital firm aims to make the B2B software journey more accessible for early-stage founders by providing hands-on support, strategic guidance, and industry expertise.

The fund provides up to ₹9,00,00,000 in investment to selected startups. This capital is structured to assist founders in driving innovation, validating market fit, and building scalable solutions within the B2B sector. The approach emphasizes integrating startups into a supportive ecosystem.

The Forum Accelerator (Forum Ventures)

The Forum Accelerator by Forum Ventures is a B2B tech program designed for early-stage B2B software companies. It aims to simplify and enhance the B2B software journey for its portfolio companies, offering a support system tailored to their specific needs. Forum Ventures acts as a “fractional co-founder,” providing guidance to help startups achieve traction and prepare for subsequent funding rounds.

This accelerator offers up to ₹90,00,000 in investment. The focus on B2B SaaS stems from an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this sector, equipping founders with specialized knowledge and networks crucial for enterprise sales and growth.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a 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, it is open to startups offering services anywhere in India. Key focus domains include Tech in Mobility (ADAS, V2X, EV & EV infrastructure, autonomous mobility) and Enterprise & Manufacturing (process automation, computer vision, industrial IoT, GenAI), making it relevant for various Software & IT applications.

Benefits include cash rewards worth ₹13 lakh, opportunities for paid Proof of Concept (PoC), mentorship from industry experts, and access to Maruti Suzuki's ecosystem. This program supports startups developing solutions that align with the evolving automotive and manufacturing sectors.

Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge (Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI))

The Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge, organized by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), supports innovation in India's energy sector. It identifies and supports Indian startups developing solutions across the energy value chain. The challenge is anchored in the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, promoting innovation, socio-economic impact, sustainability, and diversity.

Participants are encouraged to bring forth technologies and ideas that can shape the future of energy in India, addressing areas such as renewable energy, alternative fuels, and low-carbon solutions. Software & IT solutions that contribute to energy efficiency, management, or new energy technologies are eligible. The challenge offers cash rewards up to ₹3,00,000 and has a deadline of 15 October 2026.

Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program (NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore)

The Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program is a 6-month initiative by NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, and Maruti Suzuki India Limited. It accelerates technology and mobility startups focused on transforming the automotive sector. The program targets ventures past the ideation phase, specifically those at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or paid pilot stage, extending to growth-focused companies. Areas of interest include electric vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems, data analytics, and sustainable manufacturing, all of which heavily rely on software and IT solutions.

Startups can receive seed funding up to ₹1,00,00,000. The program provides mentorship, market access, and strategic guidance to help startups scale their innovations in the mobility domain.

Social Alpha SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program (Social Alpha)

Social Alpha's SpIN SpaceTech Innovation Program is a lab-to-market platform for SpaceTech startups, supported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It applies space science and technology to various sectors including aviation, maritime, land transportation, urban planning, disaster management, and agriculture. Software applications are central to many of these areas, from data processing to AI-driven insights.

Selected startups gain access to pooled testing and validation infrastructure, R&D support, and curated go-to-market programs. Mentorship from subject matter experts, co-founder clinics, and product development guidance are also provided. Opportunities for seed investment through syndicated capital may arise for selected winners.

Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027 (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India)

The Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge (YEC) 2027 is an initiative under the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue (VBYLD) 2027 by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It serves as a platform for Indian citizens aged 18-35 years, including aspiring startup founders, to transform innovative ideas into impactful solutions.

YEC 2027 addresses social challenges across themes such as healthcare, education, agriculture, environment, and governance. Software & IT solutions are highly applicable across all these domains. The challenge provides a structured journey from ideation to national impact, offering cash prizes up to ₹1,50,000. The deadline for application is 15 October 2026.

Before Applying

Several programs outlined have specific eligibility criteria. For instance, the Maruti Suzuki - NSRCEL Mobility Incubation Program targets ventures past the ideation stage, requiring a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or paid pilot. The Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027 is restricted to Indian citizens aged 18-35 years, while Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4, while open to services nationwide, primarily focuses on startups from eastern, north-eastern, and central India. B2B software and AI companies are specifically targeted by Forum Ventures' Pre Seed Fund and Accelerator programs.

Applicants should note the impending deadlines for certain opportunities. Both the Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge and the Youth Entrepreneurs Challenge 2027 close on 15 October 2026, requiring immediate action. Conversely, programs from iCreate, NASSCOM CoE, Soma, Forum Ventures, and Social Alpha operate on a rolling intake basis, allowing for applications throughout the year, but early submission is often advantageous for competitive programs.