Goa Startup Mission

The program is completely free for selected startups and includes one-on-one mentorship, expert-led masterclasses, regular progress reviews, and a Demo Day. It is designed for startups at the MVP stage and beyond, with a strong focus on growth and go-to-market execution. Open to startups from any sector, provided they have a working MVP and high growth potential. Eligibility requires startups to be registered or working in Goa.

Start-ups can be reimbursed 50% per seat cost or a maximum benefit of INR 3000 per seat (co-working), INR 5000 per seat (incubators), INR 6000 per seat (accelerators), for a maximum cap of 8 seats. Benefits can be availed for a maximum of two years per startup at co-working spaces, one year at incubators, and three months at accelerators. Up to 100% reimbursement is possible for certain deserving startups. A total of 100 seats in co-working, 50 seats each in incubator and accelerator will be subsidized each year. Eligibility requires certification by the Start-up Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC), digital payments, and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

For startups hiring local talent, 50% of fresher salary will be reimbursed, subject to a cap of INR 15,000 per month per recruit, for a maximum of 25 people for a period of 3 years. This benefit can be availed by 100 startups each year. For startups whose workforce comprises 60% locals, up to 25% of salary of the local workforce, subject to a cap of INR 25 lakh per year, will be reimbursed for 3 years, for a maximum of 25 people. This benefit can be availed by 100 startups each year. Employees must be hired for a period of at least 12 months. Local refers to a person born in Goa, having domicile for 10 years or more, or spouse of such a person. Requires SITPC certification, Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of employees and directors, and digital payments.

For startups operating from privately owned or rented premises, the cost towards internet connectivity, software license fees, and cloud services fee, will be reimbursed subject to an upper limit of INR 1 lakh per quarter for a period of one year. This benefit can be availed by 20 startups each year. For local startups operating out of rented premises, a lease rental subsidy of up to INR 20 per square foot per month will be reimbursed quarterly for up to two years, subject to a cap of INR 3 lakh per annum. This incentive can be availed by 25 startups each year. A startup can only avail one of these benefits at any given time. Requires SITPC certification, Aadhaar-linked director bank accounts, and digital payments. Local startup means at least 50% equity/share is held by one or more Goans continuously since inception.

This incentive can be availed by 100 startups each year, as determined by the Start-up Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC). Eligibility requires SITPC certification and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of the Directors. Applicants must submit a presentation to a panel of experts and a detailed plan of action to create a Minimum Viable Product.

Reimbursement is capped at INR 2 lakh for national IP and INR 5 lakh for international IP. This benefit can be availed by maximum 200 startups each year. Eligibility requires SITPC certification, IP created for a technology-based service or product, payment of mandatory government and attorney fees, and no prior reimbursement for the same IP from other schemes. Requires Aadhaar-linked director bank accounts and digital payments. Reimbursement is a one-time payment per IP application.

The benefits of this scheme can be availed by up to 200 applicants per year. Eligibility requires SITPC certification, successful trademark registration, Aadhaar-linked director bank accounts, and digital payments. Applicable for startups which have successfully entered the production/service delivery phase.

All educational institutes in Goa, affiliated to a recognized public university, can avail a one-time grant of up to INR 10 lakh towards capital expenses, for setting up or expanding incubation facilities. Maximum 15 institutes can avail this benefit per year. Institutes cannot restrict incubation facilities only to their students. Educational institutes with existing incubation facilities can also be provided a grant of up to INR 3 lakh per year, for a period of three years, towards operational expenses. The Start-up Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC) reserves the sole right to accept or reject applications.

Salary component must not be in excess of INR 2 lakh under this scheme. This benefit can be availed by maximum 100 local startups each year. Eligibility requires SITPC certification, local startup status, Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of directors and employees. Employees whose salary is to be reimbursed should be hired for a period of at least 12 months and hold PhD or Master Degrees from a Government recognized institute. Applicable for startups in the R&D stage developing technology/products in specified policy domains, with a working prototype. Preference will be given to startups who have successfully applied for a patent or have obtained a patent.