Productisation Grant | Startup Grants India

About this Opportunity

This grant, offered by the Kerala Startup Mission, aims to support startups transitioning from a Minimum Viable Prototype (MVP) to a market-ready final product. It provides crucial financial assistance designed to strengthen product development, facilitate essential testing and validation, and prepare for early market entry. This includes funding for crucial activities like advanced prototyping, iterative user feedback loops, intellectual property protection, and necessary compliance certifications. The program specifically targets startups owning innovative technology-based products, guiding them towards commercial viability and successful market penetration.

Startups can receive up to ₹7 lakhs in funding, disbursed in milestone-based tranches adhering to KSUM guidelines. Funds are released progressively as specific project milestones, such as completion of alpha or beta versions, successful pilot tests, or securing initial customer feedback, are achieved and verified by the mission. An enhanced grant of up to ₹12 lakhs is available for women-led startups where women hold the major share, encouraging diversity and empowerment within the startup ecosystem by providing additional support for their ventures. This financial structure ensures progressive utilization aligned with various development stages.

The grant explicitly excludes founder salaries, fixed asset purchases (land, buildings, high-end equipment, costly software above ₹2 lakhs), rent, and major infrastructure setup. Approved expenses typically include technical development costs, software licenses, external development services, patent filing fees, and focused market research activities. Startups that previously received the Idea Grant are eligible to apply for the remaining eligible balance of ₹4 lakhs.

Eligibility

Startup must be in the Product Development stage, ready to convert their Minimum Viable Prototype (MVP) into a market-ready final product. This means the startup has a functional prototype or proof-of-concept and requires funding to refine it into a commercially viable solution, addressing critical features and user experience to meet market demands.
Must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, or One Person Company with active MCA status. The incorporation date should reflect a commitment to a structured business operation within India, with all regulatory compliances met.
Must own an innovative technology product, demonstrating originality and a clear problem-solving approach in sectors like DeepTech, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IoT), or other emerging technologies with high potential for impact.
If the Idea Grant was previously availed, only the remaining eligible amount can be claimed from the grant, ensuring fair distribution of KSUM resources across different startup stages and preventing overlapping support for the same phase.
A KSUM Unique ID is mandatory at the time of application filing. This unique identifier ensures the applicant is a registered member of the Kerala Startup Mission ecosystem, streamlining administrative processes and validating startup status within the state's innovation framework.
Startups must bring 20% of the approved grant amount as margin money, applicable during the release of the second tranche. This co-contribution demonstrates the startup's commitment and investment in the project, aligning their financial stake with KSUM's support and fostering shared accountability.

Application Process

Applications undergo initial screening by KSUM officials; shortlisted startups are notified of the next steps.
Shortlisted candidates then pitch their refined idea and detailed fund utilisation plan to an Expert Committee.
The Expert Committee evaluates applications based on several key criteria: Team capabilities, Product Innovation, Marketing strategy, Financial projections, and the clarity of the Grant Utilisation Plan.
Approved recommendations from the Expert Committee lead to a formal agreement with KSUM, followed by milestone-based fund disbursement, contingent on project progress and verification.

About this Opportunity

Eligibility

Startup must be in the Product Development stage, ready to convert their Minimum Viable Prototype (MVP) into a market-ready final product. This means the startup has a functional prototype or proof-of-concept and requires funding to refine it into a commercially viable solution, addressing critical features and user experience to meet market demands.
Must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, or One Person Company with active MCA status. The incorporation date should reflect a commitment to a structured business operation within India, with all regulatory compliances met.
Must own an innovative technology product, demonstrating originality and a clear problem-solving approach in sectors like DeepTech, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IoT), or other emerging technologies with high potential for impact.
If the Idea Grant was previously availed, only the remaining eligible amount can be claimed from the grant, ensuring fair distribution of KSUM resources across different startup stages and preventing overlapping support for the same phase.
A KSUM Unique ID is mandatory at the time of application filing. This unique identifier ensures the applicant is a registered member of the Kerala Startup Mission ecosystem, streamlining administrative processes and validating startup status within the state's innovation framework.
Startups must bring 20% of the approved grant amount as margin money, applicable during the release of the second tranche. This co-contribution demonstrates the startup's commitment and investment in the project, aligning their financial stake with KSUM's support and fostering shared accountability.

Application Process

Applications undergo initial screening by KSUM officials; shortlisted startups are notified of the next steps.
Shortlisted candidates then pitch their refined idea and detailed fund utilisation plan to an Expert Committee.
The Expert Committee evaluates applications based on several key criteria: Team capabilities, Product Innovation, Marketing strategy, Financial projections, and the clarity of the Grant Utilisation Plan.
Approved recommendations from the Expert Committee lead to a formal agreement with KSUM, followed by milestone-based fund disbursement, contingent on project progress and verification.