Department of Industries, Government of Bihar

The Bihar Start-up Policy 2022 offers seed funding to start-ups at validation stage. The policy heading calls it a seed grant, but the same policy text describes it as an interest-free loan repayable after ten years, so treat it as a loan.

What you get

• An interest-free loan, repayable after ten years
• Money released in stages as you reach the milestones and performance parameters in the policy's rating system
• A further allowance for start-ups fully owned by a woman or by a person from the SC/ST category or a differently-abled person

Who can apply

• Start-ups certified under the Bihar Start-up Policy and registered in Bihar
• Turnover that has not exceeded the policy's ceiling in any year since registration

How selection works: The application goes to the department's Start-up Support Unit. An incubator prepares the proposal, a third-party agency rates it, and a committee in the department certifies the start-up.

How to apply: Use the Seed Fund form on the Startup Bihar portal. Whether an intake is open shows only after you log in, so check there. The policy documents also ask for incorporation papers, a business plan with projections and a signed loan agreement.

Start-ups that have received and spent most of the first seed instalment can apply for a second one on the same terms: an interest-free loan repayable after ten years.

What you get

• A second seed instalment as an interest-free loan
• A further allowance for women-owned and SC/ST or differently-abled-owned start-ups

Who can apply

• Start-ups certified under the Bihar Start-up Policy 2017 or 2022
• Start-ups that received the first instalment and have used at least 80% of it

How selection works: You submit a chartered accountant's utilisation report, a status report and a plan for spending the second instalment. A committee approves it after an interaction with you.

How to apply: Use the Second Tranche form on the Startup Bihar portal. The guidelines say to email the department if the portal is not working.

The Post Seed Fund is for start-ups that have already launched a product in the market, have potential to grow and need more capital than the seed stage gave them.

What you get

• A repayable loan with simple interest
• Repayment in monthly instalments over five years, after a two-year moratorium

Who can apply

• Certified start-ups that have launched a product in the market
• Start-ups that have received the seed fund and meet a minimum turnover test, which differs for product and service businesses

How selection works: The department reviews your project report and the utilisation certificate for the seed fund, and a committee approves the loan.

How to apply: Use the Post Seed Fund form on the Startup Bihar portal, or write to the department's start-up email address given in the guidelines.

This scheme rewards start-ups that attract outside investment. The success fee is a percentage of the amount raised and is paid as a grant. The matching loan is repayable and is capped by what the start-up raised.

What you get

• A success fee, paid as a grant, worth a small percentage of the money you raised
• A matching loan of up to the amount raised, up to a ceiling set in the guidelines
• Loan repayment in monthly instalments over seven years after a two-year moratorium, with simple interest

Who can apply

• Certified start-ups that have raised money from recognised angel investors or SEBI-registered Category-I alternative investment funds

The policy text and the operating guidelines describe the eligible investors and the loan terms differently. The policy says state-registered angel investors and leaves the loan terms to be notified later. The guidelines say recognised angel investors or Category-I funds and set the terms. Confirm which applies before you raise.

How selection works: You show the investment agreement or term sheet, a bank statement, proof of the equity dilution and a plan for using the funds. A committee approves the support.

How to apply: Apply on the Startup Bihar portal. The guidelines say to email the department if the portal is not working.

Certified start-ups can get a grant to enrol in a recognised national or international acceleration programme, or to take part in a start-up event, with the amount capped per start-up.

What you get

• A grant towards the programme or event, with a cap on the total and on daily accommodation
• Acceleration fees paid directly to the host institution

Who can apply

• Certified start-ups under the Bihar Start-up Policy
• Programmes run by hosts on the department's list of acceleration programmes

How selection works: You submit your documents and have a personal interaction with the department. Approval comes from the department's committees.

How to apply: Use the acceleration form on the Startup Bihar portal. Apply well before the programme starts, and send a feedback report afterwards. The guidelines also limit how often a start-up can claim.

Certified start-ups that develop intellectual property can claim back the cost of registering it. The policy headline says the government bears all costs of filing domestic patents, but the operating guidelines reimburse actual expenditure up to a limit for each type of IP, and only for start-ups that have already received funds under the policy.

What you get

• Reimbursement for Indian and foreign patents, geographical indications, trademarks and industrial designs, with a different limit for each
• Reimbursement of documentation and consultant costs, also capped

Who can apply

• Certified start-ups that have received funds under the Bihar Start-up Policy
• Registrations made in the name of the business entity

How selection works: The department checks your expenditure and a committee approves the reimbursement.

How to apply: Use the IPR form on the Startup Bihar portal soon after your IP certificate is issued, because the guidelines set a time limit.

Certification under the policy is the gateway to every start-up scheme above. It also comes with regulatory relief.

What you get

• Exemption from licensing and registration under various state laws for five years
• Licences for life- and safety-sensitive activities are still required, but the policy says the government bears the cost

Who can apply

• Start-ups registered in Bihar that meet the policy's start-up definition

How selection works: A committee in the department certifies a start-up after an incubator's proposal and a third-party rating.

How to apply: Apply online on the Startup Bihar portal.

This scheme backs SC and ST men and women who want to start a small enterprise from the department's approved list of projects. Half the support is a grant and half is an interest-free loan. The FY2025-26 window closed on 23 March 2026 and the draw was held on 20 May 2026. No later window had been announced when this page was checked.

What you get

• Support for setting up and running a project from the approved list of 74 project types
• Half as a grant and half as an interest-free loan
• Training and project monitoring support

Who can apply

• SC and ST men and women, permanent residents of Bihar
• The guideline also sets age and education conditions, which the portal lists

How selection works: Applicants are picked by a computerised draw against each district's target, and their documents are then checked.

How to apply: Apply on the Udyami Bihar portal when a window opens. Queries go to the Directorate of MSME.

This scheme is for men and women from the Ati Pichhada Varg (Extremely Backward Class, BC-01). It follows the same financing and process as the other Udyami schemes. The FY2025-26 window closed on 23 March 2026, and no later window had been announced when this page was checked.

What you get

• Support for a project from the approved list, half as a grant and half as an interest-free loan
• Training and project monitoring support

Who can apply

• Men and women of the Ati Pichhada Varg (BC-01), permanent residents of Bihar

How selection works: A computerised draw against each district's target, then a check of documents.

How to apply: Apply on the Udyami Bihar portal when a window opens.

This scheme is open to women of all categories. It follows the same financing and process as the other Udyami schemes. The FY2025-26 window closed on 23 March 2026, and no later window had been announced when this page was checked.

What you get

• Support for a project from the approved list, half as a grant and half as an interest-free loan
• Training and project monitoring support

Who can apply

• Women of any category, permanent residents of Bihar

How selection works: A computerised draw against each district's target, then a check of documents.

How to apply: Apply on the Udyami Bihar portal when a window opens.

This scheme is for men of the general category and the Pichhada Varg (BC-02). It is the only Udyami scheme whose loan half carries interest. The FY2025-26 window closed on 23 March 2026, and no later window had been announced when this page was checked.

What you get

• Support for a project from the approved list, half as a grant and half as a loan with interest
• Training and project monitoring support

Who can apply

• Men of the general category and the Pichhada Varg (BC-02), permanent residents of Bihar
• The 2021 scheme notice limits the benefit to one member of a family and to new enterprises

How selection works: A computerised draw against each district's target, then a check of documents.

How to apply: Apply on the Udyami Bihar portal when a window opens.

This scheme, introduced in 2023, is for men and women from minority communities. It follows the same financing and process as the other Udyami schemes. The FY2025-26 window closed on 23 March 2026, and no later window had been announced when this page was checked.

What you get

• Support for a project from the approved list, half as a grant and half as an interest-free loan
• Training and project monitoring support

Who can apply

• Men and women from minority communities, permanent residents of Bihar

How selection works: A computerised draw against each district's target, then a check of documents.

How to apply: Apply on the Udyami Bihar portal when a window opens.

This scheme is the sixth component named in the FY2025-26 Udyami guideline. It is for persons with disabilities of all categories. The FY2025-26 window closed on 23 March 2026, and no later window had been announced when this page was checked.

What you get

• Support for a project from the approved list, half as a grant and half as an interest-free loan
• Training and project monitoring support

Who can apply

• Persons with a disability of 40% or more who hold a UDID card, permanent residents of Bihar

How selection works: A computerised draw against each district's target, then a check of documents.

How to apply: Apply on the Udyami Bihar portal when a window opens.