Goa Startup Mission

Goa Startup Mission is the State's nodal agency for startup promotion, operating through the Start-up Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of IT, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa. It implements the Goa Startup Policy and manages a comprehensive suite of incentives designed to grow a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem in the state.

Programs & Initiatives

Seed Capital Grant: SITPC-certified startups can receive a one-time grant of up to ₹10 lakh to build a Minimum Viable Product. Up to 100 startups are selected each year through a pitch and due-diligence process.

Salary Reimbursement Scheme: Startups hiring fresh local talent receive 50% salary reimbursement (capped at ₹15,000/month per recruit) for up to 25 employees over 3 years. Startups with a 60%-local workforce can claim 25% of the local workforce salary up to ₹25 lakh/year.

Co-Working / Incubator / Accelerator Subsidy: Certified startups get 50% reimbursement on seat costs at SITPC-listed co-working spaces (up to ₹3,000/seat), incubators (up to ₹5,000/seat), or accelerators (up to ₹6,000/seat) for periods ranging from 3 months to 2 years.

IPR Reimbursement: 100% reimbursement of IP filing costs — up to ₹2 lakh for national IP registrations and ₹5 lakh for international filings. Available to up to 200 startups per year.

R&D Reimbursement: 50% of R&D expenses (including PhD/Master's-level salaries) reimbursed for 2 years, capped at ₹5 lakh per annum, for local startups with a working prototype.

Goa Startup Accelerator Programme: A structured 5-month cohort providing mentorship, market access, and funding support, culminating in a Demo Day.

Operational Expenses Scheme: Startups operating from leased premises can claim reimbursement for internet, cloud services, and software licence costs (up to ₹1 lakh/quarter for 1 year), plus a lease rental subsidy of up to ₹20/sq.ft/month for local startups.

Eligibility

All benefits are accessible to startups holding a valid SITPC certificate. To qualify, a startup must be registered in Goa, be technology-oriented, and meet the Department's due diligence criteria. Local startups (≥50% equity held by Goans) may access additional schemes such as R&D reimbursement.

Track Record

Under successive startup policies (2017, 2021, 2025), Goa Startup Mission has certified hundreds of startups, supported co-working infrastructure across Panaji and other districts, and funded incubation cells in educational institutions across the state.

Who Should Apply

Startups at ideation, prototype, or early-revenue stage that are registered (or willing to register) in Goa and seek seed capital, workspace subsidies, salary support, or IP protection funding. Both Goan founders and non-Goan founders who establish operations in Goa are welcome, though some schemes (R&D, lease rental) are exclusive to local founders.