Start Up Fund
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Quick Answer
Oil India Limited's Start Up Fund, under the 'SNEH' program, offers technical and financial support along with incubation to DPIIT-recognized startups across ideation, early traction, and scale-up stages.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Oil India Limited
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
About this grant
The Oil India Limited Start Up Fund is a key initiative aligned with the Government of India's 'Start-up India' program, launched in 2016 to foster a robust ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship. This fund aims to drive sustainable economic growth and generate large-scale employment opportunities by providing essential support to emerging startups. Through its 'Start-Up Nurturing, Enabling & Handholding' (SNEH) program, OIL extends critical technical and financial assistance. This comprehensive support enables startups to develop novel products and services, navigate market entry, and ultimately scale their operations. The fund has already successfully supported 25 early-stage startups, helping them mature through various phases of development, from initial ideation to successful commercialization. These ventures have benefited from strategic incubation partnerships with premier institutions like IIT-Guwahati, IIT-Bhubaneswar, and IIT-Delhi, underscoring OIL's commitment to leveraging academic excellence for entrepreneurial growth. The program is continuously onboarding new startups, reflecting its dynamic and ongoing nature in contributing to India's innovation landscape. It serves as a vital platform for innovators to translate their ideas into impactful, market-ready solutions, thereby strengthening India's position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Create a free account to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
The Start Up Fund by Oil India Limited provides early-stage financial and technical support to innovative startups. Beyond capital, selected ventures receive comprehensive incubation support, including access to dedicated working space at partner incubation centres. This physical infrastructure is complemented by essential utilities such as internet, electricity, and drinking water, ensuring a conducive environment for development. Startups also gain access to laboratory and workshop facilities, which are crucial for product development and testing, especially for tech-driven solutions. Furthermore, the program offers mentoring support from industry experts and experienced professionals, guiding startups through critical stages from ideation to commercialization and scale-up. This holistic support package is designed to nurture innovation, facilitate market readiness, and accelerate the growth of promising Indian startups.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
The selection process for the Start Up Fund is rigorous and multi-faceted, ensuring that only the most innovative and commercially viable startups are onboarded into the SNEH program. Initially, applications submitted through the online portal are thoroughly reviewed by a dedicated Startup Steering Committee or experts appointed by Oil India Limited. This initial screening focuses on evaluating the novelty and innovation of the business idea, its potential for commercialization, the viability of the market fit, and the scope for scaling. Proposals that are purely academic R&D, lack commercial potential, or pose significant ethical/environmental risks are filtered out. Shortlisted startups progress to a presentation/interaction round, where they pitch their solutions, technology, and business model to a panel of experts from OIL and its incubation partners. This stage assesses the team's capabilities, the depth of their technological understanding, and their strategic vision. The final selection is based on a comprehensive evaluation of these criteria, culminating in an invitation to join the SNEH program and formalize the support through a tripartite agreement.
Application Process
- 1
Apply Online
Submit your application and all required documents through the dedicated online portal.
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- 3
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of support does the Start Up Fund provide?
A: The fund offers technical and financial support, along with comprehensive incubation facilities. This includes working space, internet, electricity, laboratory and workshop access, library facilities, and crucial mentoring support from experienced professionals.
Q: What are the key eligibility criteria for applying?
A: Startups must be recognized by DPIIT, possess an innovative business idea with market fit, viable commercialization potential, and a clear path to scale. The core product or service should leverage technology. Indian promoters must hold at least 51% shareholding.
Q: Is there any specific industry focus for the program?
A: No specific industry focus is mentioned. The program is open to startups with innovative products or services that can solve problems using technology across various sectors, provided they have commercial potential.
Q: What stages of startups does the SNEH program support?
A: The 'SNEH' program supports startups across three key stages: Ideation (from idea to Proof of Concept), Early Traction (from Proof of Concept to Commercialization), and Scale-up (for already commercialized startups looking to expand operations).
Q: How long does the support typically last?
A: The duration of support is at the discretion of Oil India Limited and is guided by the terms of the Tripartite Agreement signed between OIL, the startup, and the incubation center. It is tailored to the needs of each selected startup.
Q: Can startups with existing funding apply to this program?
A: Yes, the program supports early-stage funding and incubation, and there is no explicit restriction against startups that may have raised some prior funding. The focus is on innovative ideas and their potential.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
