Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialisation.

Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth Portal for startups is a one-stop platform for facilitation and guidance across all sectors, functions, stages, and geographies.

The National Startup Award is a marquee initiative by Startup India, DPIIT, to recognise exceptional startups across India, creating economic impact and larger societal impact. The National Startup Awards have been pivotal in providing support to some of the most well-known startups in the Indian ecosystem currently, including unicorns and other high-impact startups. The winners and finalists of the awards are provided extensive support in their growth journey. Apply in 20+ Categories, Win a Cash Prize of ₹10 Lakhs, Get Access to Handholding Support & Mentorship Opportunities.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation, the creation of which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China. It comprises over 25 nations from Asia and Europe. Recognising the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving and diversifying economies, all Member States agreed to create a Special Working Group for Startups and Innovation (SWG), with India as its permanent chair. As the Chair of the SWG, headed by India, DPIIT holds the annual meetings of the SWG, along with conducting specialised activities like the SCO Startup Forum, to provide the necessary assistance for the development and sustainable growth of the startup ecosystem in the SCO Member States.

Startup India Investor Connect was launched in the sixth meeting of the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC), convened on 11th March 2023, to serve as a dedicated platform that connects startups to investors, promotes entrepreneurship, and accelerates engagements across diverse sectors, functions, stages, geographies, and backgrounds, which is also the need of the ecosystem.

Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry, BHASKAR, is envisioned as a one-stop digital platform where diverse startup ecosystem stakeholders can seamlessly connect and collaborate, catalysing the growth and success of the startup ecosystem across India. By providing a comprehensive platform for connection, knowledge sharing, and searchability, BHASKAR aspires to empower entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders at every stage of their journey, driving forward a culture of innovation that propels India to the forefront of global entrepreneurship.

The States’ Startup Ranking is an annual capacity building exercise which has been developed with the objective to build a conducive startup ecosystem across the country, through sustained efforts of States and Union Territories. The Startup Ranking Framework, an annual evaluation, has been developed as a more robust and outcome- oriented exercise, and aims to achieve large scale progress across each State and UT.

Under the Startup India initiative, eligible companies can get recognised as Startups by DPIIT, in order to access a host of tax benefits, easier compliance, IPR fast-tracking & more. A startup must meet certain criteria to be considered eligible for DPIIT Recognition. Normal Recognised: Company Age not exceeding 10 years, Annual Turnover not exceeding Rs. 200 crore. Deeptech Recognised: Company Age not exceeding 20 years, Annual Turnover not exceeding Rs. 300 crore. Incorporated as a Private Limited Company, Registered Partnership Firm, Limited Liability Partnership, or Cooperative Society. The entity should not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business. The entity should work towards the development or improvement of a product, process, or service and/or have a scalable business model with high potential for wealth and employment generation.

Startups shall be allowed to self-certify compliance with 6 labour laws and 3 environmental laws through a simple online procedure. In the case of labour laws, no inspections will be conducted for a period of 5 years. Startups may be inspected only on receipt of a credible and verifiable complaint of violation, filed in writing and approved by at least one level senior to the inspecting officer. In the case of environment laws, startups that fall under the ‘white category’ (as defined by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)) would be able to self-certify compliance, and only random checks would be carried out in such cases.

Fast-tracking of Startup Patent Applications: Patent applications filed by startups shall be fast-tracked for examination so that their value can be realised sooner. Panel of facilitators to assist in filing of IP applications: For effective implementation of the scheme, a panel of “facilitators” shall be empanelled by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), who shall also regulate their conduct and functions. Government to bear facilitation cost: Under this scheme, the Central Government shall bear the entire fees of the facilitators for any number of patents, trademarks or designs that a Startup may file, and the Startups shall bear the cost of only the statutory fees payable. Rebate on filing of application: Startups shall be provided an 80% rebate in filing of patents vis-a-vis other companies.

The entity should be a DPIIT recognised startup. Only Private Limited Companies or Limited Liability Partnerships are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80IAC. The startup should have been incorporated after 1st April, 2016.

As per the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, startups with simple debt structures, or those meeting certain income specified criteria can be wound up within 90 days of filing an application for insolvency. An insolvency professional shall be appointed for the Startup, who shall thereafter be in charge of the company (the promoters and management shall no longer run the company) including liquidation of its assets and paying its creditors within six months of such appointment. Upon appointment of the insolvency professional, the liquidator shall be responsible for the swift closure of the business, sale of assets and repayment of creditors in accordance with the distribution waterfall set out in the IBC.

Opportunity to list your product on Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Exemption from Prior Experience/Turnover: In order to promote startups, the Government shall exempt Startups in the manufacturing sector from the criteria of “prior experience/ turnover” without any compromise on the stated quality standards or technical parameters. The Startups will also have to demonstrate requisite capability to execute the project as per the requirements and should have their own manufacturing facility in India. EMD Exemption: DPIIT recognised startups have been exempted from submitting Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) or bid security while filling government tenders.

The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) is aimed at providing credit guarantee up to a specified limit against loans extended by Member Institutions (MIs) to finance eligible borrowers viz. Startups as defined in the Gazette Notification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and amended from time to time. The revised framework has enhanced guarantee coverage, increasing the maximum limit from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore per eligible borrower. For transaction-based guarantee cover: 85% of the amount in default for loan amount up to Rs. 10 crore, 75% of the amount in default for loan amount exceeding Rs. 10 crore. For umbrella-based guarantee cover: The Trust shall provide guarantee cover of actual losses or up to a maximum of 5% of Pooled Investment on which cover is being taken from the fund in Startups, whichever is lower, subject to a maximum of Rs. 20 crore per borrower.

The objective is to promote new technology/knowledge/innovation based startups that create jobs, wealth and business in alignment with national priorities. To provide a platform for speedy commercialisation of technologies developed by the host institution or by any academic/technical/R and D institution, or by an individual. To provide cost-effective, value added services to startups like mentoring, legal, financial, technical, and intellectual property related services. The proposal is to be submitted by an Academic/Technical R and D Institutions (called the host institute) and other institutions with a proven track record in the promotion of technology-based entrepreneurship. The host institute is supposed to have adequate expertise and infrastructure to support incubation activity. The financial support for establishing a TBI would be extended to a not-for-profit legal entity registered as a society/trust/section 8 company.

The objective is scaling up biotech incubation in India through BIRAC by supporting new BioNest at Academic/Research hospitals/organisations, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and strengthening existing incubators attached to academic institutes. There are 4 categories under which interested applicants can apply. New BioNest at Academic/Research Institutes/Research Hospitals/organisations fostering innovation and entrepreneurship; Establishing new BioNest with various State Government Biotech Councils or S and T Councils; Strengthening existing incubators attached to academic institutes/research institutes, stand-alone incubators/Research Hospitals to establish BioNest; Support for scaling-up of already funded BioNest.

The objective of the scheme is to promote and establish incubation centres in India that would support and encourage start-ups in specific subjects/sectors such as manufacturing, transport, energy, health, education, agriculture, water, sanitation, etc. and would provide them with necessary infrastructure facilities and other value-added services. The scheme would also focus on the establishment of AICs in underserved and unserved areas to support inclusive growth. The objective of the incubation centres will be to facilitate aspiring entrepreneurs and students to build high quality startups/companies.

TIDE 2.0 Incubation centres will be categorised into 3 distinct groups. G1C – To offer deep support to startups, including mentoring, capacity building, and industry linkages for further investment avenues. Must also nurture and handhold G3 centres. G2C- To facilitate aspiring entrepreneurs and students to build high quality startups. Must also nurture and handhold G3 Centres. G3C- To initiate and evangelise innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in unexplored regions. Collaborate with G1/G2 centres for effective handholding and nurturing of startups.

A corpus for contribution to various AIFs registered with SEBI for funding of startups.