GENESIS Matching Fund
A programme by AIC-BIMTECH
Matching investment, on a one-to-one basis, for Tier-II and Tier-III startups that have already raised from institutional investors.
At a glance
| Best for | Tier-II and Tier-III startups that have already raised institutional investment |
|---|---|
| Stage | Early revenue – Growth |
| Cost | Takes equity |
| Run with | MeitY Startup Hub |
About GENESIS Matching Fund
The third GENESIS component matches money you have already raised from an institutional investor, rupee for rupee up to a ceiling, to help a startup outside the metros scale. It is explicitly equity-based support, not a grant, so treat it as an investment round rather than a subsidy. The first cohort is complete and the page offers a waitlist.
What you get
- Matching investment on a one-to-one basis against eligible external investment you have raised
- Support delivered as equity participation
Who can apply
- Registered as a private limited company in India
- At least 51 percent Indian ownership
- Headquartered in a Tier-II or Tier-III city
- A valid DPIIT recognition certificate
- A market-ready product with commercialisation potential; granted patents are preferred
- No live legal disputes
- Startups previously supported under TIDE 2.0 scale-up or SAMRIDH are not eligible
How to apply: join the waitlist on the matching fund page, or write to team@aicbimtech.com. The page's own apply button currently only scrolls to that waitlist.
Where to apply
Other AIC-BIMTECH programmes
- KhojA virtual pre-incubation programme for people with an idea, and the entry point to everything else the centre runs.
- PrarambhThe incubation step after Khoj, for startups that complete it — though the centre has not published a real description of it.
- GurukulThe accelerator for startups already earning revenue, focused on sales, operations and market expansion.
- UdaanA fundraising programme that puts founders in front of venture capital funds rather than teaching them.
- MeitY GENESIS — Entrepreneur in ResidenceThe electronics ministry's programme for early-stage founders outside the metros, delivered here as an entrepreneur-in-residence track.
- GENESIS Pilot FundingFunding for startups that already hold a pilot order from a corporate or public-sector buyer and need to deliver it.
- SAMRIDHMeitY's six-month accelerator for growth-stage technology startups, with matching investment alongside the centre's own investor network.
- Startup India Seed Fund SchemeThe national seed fund scheme, which AIC-BIMTECH was selected to disburse in 2021; its own window is currently closed.
- StartInUPUttar Pradesh's state startup scheme, applied for on the state portal with AIC-BIMTECH named as your incubation partner — the one route shown as open.
- MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0The MSME ministry's national idea competition, which the centre points founders towards; applications are closed.
- Stanford Seed SparkA paid, fully online entrepreneurship course from Stanford Seed that AIC-BIMTECH runs locally and screens applicants for.