Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
A programme by AIC-BIMTECH
The national seed fund scheme, which AIC-BIMTECH was selected to disburse in 2021; its own window is currently closed.
At a glance
| Best for | DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated in the last two years |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – MVP |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Startup India, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Invest India |
About Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
AIC-BIMTECH was picked by Startup India and Invest India in 2021 as one of the incubators disbursing the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, the DPIIT programme that funds proof of concept, prototyping, product trials and market entry. The centre says it evaluated a very large volume of applications and backed 61 startups through the scheme. Its page now shows applications closed.
What you get
- Grant support for proof of concept and prototyping, and investment support for commercialisation and scaling
- Investment delivered through convertible debentures
- Mentorship, infrastructure and incubation support through the recognised incubator
Who can apply
- DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated within the last two years
- You must not have taken more than a limited amount of support under other government schemes
- Sector agnostic
How selection works: shortlisted startups may be invited to an evaluation and pitching session with the incubator.
How to apply: get DPIIT recognition, create a profile on the national seed fund portal, then apply to a recognised incubator with your business details, innovation overview and funding requirement. Watch the centre's page for its next window.
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.
- GENESIS Matching FundMatching investment, on a one-to-one basis, for Tier-II and Tier-III startups that have already raised from institutional investors.
- SAMRIDHMeitY's six-month accelerator for growth-stage technology startups, with matching investment alongside the centre's own investor network.
- 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.