Episode 4: AI Agents – From Assistance to Autonomous Collaboration

SIDBI's Innovation Challenge Fund invites AI-enabled solutions that support MSMEs across their lifecycle, with fund support of up to ₹2 Crore.

Innovation contest by RISE Foundation IISER for individuals and startups with sustainable solutions. Win up to ₹2.5 lakh and 6 months of incubation.

Scouting innovative solutions for the Government of Maharashtra, with winners receiving a government work order worth up to ₹10 lakh.

An intensive 90-day residential venture builder program that forges entrepreneurs into co-founders and builds consumer businesses with up to ₹4 crores in capital.

The Ten Minute Million Challenge (TTMM) 2026 offers startups a unique opportunity to pitch directly to top investors and secure on-the-spot funding of up to ₹35 lakh.

A project grant up to ₹25 lakhs by TIH IIT Bombay for Scheduled Tribe faculty, researchers, or startups developing application-oriented IoT technologies for ST communities in India.

AIC-Pinnacle × NATRAX incubation for MVP-to-commercialization mobility and EV startups — mentorship, testing support, industry and investor connect. Cohort of up to 20. Deadline 20 October 2026.

A 24-hour global online programming competition by IEEE where student teams solve coding challenges for a USD 10,000 prize pool.

BIRAC-PATH offers comprehensive patent facilitation, including co-funding or 100% grant-in-aid, to protect biotech innovations in India and abroad for eligible entities.

The Government First Initiative by the Government of Karnataka offers startups with deployment-ready solutions a direct work order of up to ₹25 lakhs to solve government problem statements.

Soft loan of up to Rs. 15 lakhs at 6% simple interest for early-stage Kerala startups building innovative products, from the Kerala Startup Mission.

Interest-free seed loan for Bihar-registered validation-stage startups, with bonus for women/SC/ST/differently-abled.

Funding for Kerala-registered revenue-stage tech startups with collateral-free debt.

Soft loan for women entrepreneurs in Kerala with government/PSU project orders.

Credit guarantee cover up to Rs 20 crore that lets banks, NBFCs and AIFs lend to DPIIT-recognised startups without collateral. You receive a loan and repay it. CGSS is not a grant.

Collateral-free credit guarantee up to ₹2 crore for micro & small enterprises

Collateral-free loans up to ₹20 lakh for micro and small non-farm businesses

Below-market soft loans from ₹10 lakh for MSMEs in manufacturing and services

Subordinate debt with 90% CGTMSE guarantee for stressed/NPA-classified MSMEs

Below-market NABARD loans for dairy cooperatives and producer companies for processing infrastructure

Innovation contest by RISE Foundation IISER for individuals and startups with sustainable solutions. Win up to ₹2.5 lakh and 6 months of incubation.

Scouting innovative solutions for the Government of Maharashtra, with winners receiving a government work order worth up to ₹10 lakh.

The Ten Minute Million Challenge (TTMM) 2026 offers startups a unique opportunity to pitch directly to top investors and secure on-the-spot funding of up to ₹35 lakh.

A 24-hour global online programming competition by IEEE where student teams solve coding challenges for a USD 10,000 prize pool.

An ideathon for students at the 7 Hyundai CoE member universities to pitch new in-vehicle experiences for Indian customers, with a ₹10 Lakh prize pool.

A global online hackathon challenging developers to build innovative applications for Amazon devices like Fire TV, Alexa+, Bee AI, or Ring, competing for significant cash prizes and AWS credits.

A global online hackathon by IEEE Turkey focused on blockchain and AI for climate action — $3,000 prize pool.

A global online hackathon challenging individuals, teams, and organizations to build working AI systems using Nebius AI Cloud and NVIDIA open-source models for a share of $50,000+ in cash and prizes.

An innovation challenge supporting startups and SMEs in circular economy solutions for plastic, textile, and food waste management across India, offering a prize pool and access to follow-on funding.

A blockchain hackathon for youth hosted by the Maryland Blockchain Association — $50,000 prize pool.