Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
A programme by AIC-Pinnacle Entrepreneurship Forum
Seed funding for DPIIT-recognised startups under two years old, given as grant and as debt or convertible debentures through the centre.
At a glance
| Best for | DPIIT-recognised startups under two years old that need proof-of-concept money |
|---|---|
| Stage | Prototype – MVP |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | DPIIT, Startup India |
About Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
AIC-Pinnacle lists the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme among the government routes its startups can apply through.
Who can apply
- DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated not more than two years ago at the time of applying
- With a product or service that has market fit, viable commercialisation and room to scale
- Using technology in the core product, service, business model, distribution model or methodology
- Not already holding substantial support from another central or state government scheme
- With at least 51 per cent shareholding held by Indian promoters
How it works: Support comes as a grant and as debt or convertible debentures, each available once under the scheme. Preference goes to startups working on social impact, waste and water management, financial inclusion, education, agriculture, food processing, biotechnology, healthcare, energy, mobility, defence, space, railways, oil and gas and textiles.
How to apply: Through AIC-Pinnacle as the incubator. Check the scheme guidelines for the rest of the conditions.
Where to apply
Other AIC-Pinnacle Entrepreneurship Forum programmes
- Idea Utsav – Idea Validation WorkshopA monthly online workshop where founders pitch an idea or prototype to a panel and get feedback on what to do next.
- Emerge – Pre-Incubation ProgramA three-month online pre-incubation programme, taken with no equity, that validates an idea and prepares founders for the full incubation programme.
- Evolve – Incubation ProgramA twelve-month incubation programme in four modules, ending in an investor demo day, for startups at prototype to MVP stage.
- Elevate – Acceleration ProgramA six-month, sector-agnostic accelerator for startups already earning revenue, focused on sales, operations and investor readiness.
- EvolutioNari – Women Entrepreneurship ProgramA twelve-month programme for women founders at ideation to prototype stage, built on curated sessions, group mentoring and networking.
- International Incubation SupportA residency route for companies based outside India that want to use the centre's physical incubation programme and reach Indian markets.
- Student Entrepreneurship Development ProgramA structured entrepreneurship curriculum for students, covering ideation, business planning, market research and funding.
- Atal Innovation Mission seed support (AIM-AIC)Seed support for startups already incubated at the centre, given as debt or equity and requiring matching money from non-government sources.
- MeitY TIDE 2.0A MeitY scheme the centre channels, with an entrepreneur-in-residence stipend at idea stage and grant support at prototype and product-development stages.
- MSME Innovative Scheme – IncubationAIC-Pinnacle is an approved Host Institute, so innovators and MSMEs can take an idea through proof-of-concept validation and commercialisation here.
- MSME IPFC – IP Rights Facilitation CentreAn IP facilitation centre under the Ministry of MSME that files patents, trademarks, copyrights and designs for Udyam-registered MSMEs with no professional fee.