What is the maximum grant amount available?

The MCL Seed Grant provides up to ₹3,00,000 per eligible startup.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Only companies currently incubated at FTBI NIT Rourkela with a valid incubation agreement, and incorporated under the Companies Act 2013, are eligible.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants must submit all prerequisite documents, audited annual statements, and a detailed business plan including previous funding details and 3-year cash flow projections. A justification for the requested seed capital is also required.

Is prior funding allowed?

Yes, prior funding is allowed but must be fully disclosed in your business plan.

Is the grant repayable?

No, the MCL Seed Grant is an equity-free, non-repayable grant.

MCL Seed Grant 2026 – Up to ₹3 Lakhs

Grant providers

Provider

NIT Rourkela

Rourkela · Odisha · India

National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) NIT Rourkela, established in 1961, is one of India's premier National Institutes of Technology, consistently ranked among the top 10 NITs in the NIRF rankings. Located in Rourkela, Odisha — adjacent to one of Asia's…

Learn more

Application Process

1
Apply Online
Submit your application form, detailed business plan, audited financials, and all prerequisite documents via the Google Forms link.
You
2
3
4
5

How to apply

Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.

1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.

The MCL Seed Grant 2026, an initiative under the CSR program of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), is administered by the Foundation for Technology & Business Incubation (FTBI) at NIT Rourkela. This grant aims to foster innovation and support early-stage startups that are developing groundbreaking technologies, especially those with a high gestation period and the potential for significant social benefits. The program provides crucial financial support to help these ventures advance their product development, market entry, and overall growth within a supportive incubation ecosystem.

This funding is designed to provide seed capital to startups requiring early-stage financial backing to validate their ideas, build prototypes, and scale their solutions. By focusing on innovative technologies and social impact, the MCL Seed Grant seeks to empower entrepreneurs to address pressing societal challenges and contribute to economic development. The collaboration between MCL and FTBI underscores a commitment to nurturing the startup ecosystem and driving technological advancements in India.

Applications for the MCL Seed Grant will be rigorously evaluated by a selection committee comprising experts from MCL and FTBI NIT Rourkela. The screening process will primarily focus on the innovativeness of the technology, its potential for social impact, the viability of the business plan, and the financial disclosures, including audited annual statements and previous funding details. Startups providing adequate justification for the requested seed capital and demonstrating a strong growth trajectory will be given preference. Shortlisted applicants may be required to present their business plan or participate in an interview round to further assess their vision and execution capabilities.

MCL Seed Grant 2026

MCL Seed Grant 2026

Grant providers

Am I likely to win this grant — and why?

Application Process

How to apply

Sources

Grants closing soon

Competitions closing soon

Equity closing soon

Debt programs

Subsidies

Frequently Asked Questions

About this grant

Eligibility

Timelines & Process

Benefits & Funding

Grants closing soon

Competitions closing soon

Equity closing soon

Debt programs

Subsidies

Startup Software Credits

Notion

Tome

IBM

Vultr

Mixpanel

Datadog

Microsoft

Razorpay

DigitalOcean

Huawei

Google

Akamai Technologies