Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
A programme by ABIS-TBI, TNAU Coimbatore
ABIS-TBI is an approved seed fund incubator, so DPIIT-recognised agri startups can name it as their incubator on the national portal.
At a glance
| Best for | DPIIT-recognised agri startups within two years of incorporation |
|---|---|
| Stage | Prototype – Early revenue |
| Format | In person |
| Cost | No equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Startup India |
About Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
The seed fund scheme, from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, supports startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation. ABIS-TBI is an approved incubator under it, which means it screens and selects startups, disburses the fund, monitors milestones and provides incubation, mentoring and technical support alongside the money.
What you get
- Seed support released against agreed milestones
- Incubation, mentoring and technical support from the incubator
Who can apply
- DPIIT-recognised startups
- Incorporated within two years at the time of applying
- Working on an innovative, technology-driven solution
- At least 51 per cent Indian promoter shareholding
- Not already funded beyond the scheme's cap by other government seed schemes
How selection works: applications are screened by the incubator and shortlisted founders pitch to its Incubator Seed Management Committee.
How to apply: get DPIIT recognition first, apply on the national Startup India seed fund portal, choose ABIS-TBI, TNAU as your preferred incubator, and prepare to pitch.
Where to apply
Other ABIS-TBI, TNAU Coimbatore programmes
- RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubator (R-ABI)Cohort-based agribusiness incubation sanctioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with orientation tracks for beginners and a seed track for startups with a product.
- NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR)A one-year DST fellowship for people who want to leave a job or course and work full time on a technology-based agri venture.
- NIDHI-PRAYASPrototype support for innovators who have an idea but no working product yet, with a fab lab to build it in.
- Spices Incubation CentreA Spices Board-funded centre at the incubator that supports a small number of spice processing and value-addition startups each round.
- TBI membership (Categories A-D)The way in to everything else: paid membership in one of four categories, open to agri ventures from students to companies.
- TBI Incubatee Product Promotional Centre (TIPPC)A retail-style space at the incubator, opened in May 2024, where incubatees keep their products on permanent display for visitors and buyers.
- Government scheme partner supportHelp applying to central and state schemes the incubator partners on, from micro food processing to Tamil Nadu seed grants.