MeitY GENESIS Pilot
A programme by Deshpande Startups
Equity-based funding to run a paid pilot with a large corporate, PSU or unicorn. Between intakes.
At a glance
| Best for | DPIIT-registered startups in smaller cities holding a pilot work order from a large buyer |
|---|---|
| Stage | MVP – Early revenue |
| Cost | Takes equity |
| Run with | MeitY Startup Hub |
About MeitY GENESIS Pilot
The GENESIS Pilot programme exists to get a market-ready product into a real deployment. MeitY funds the pilot and the startup executes it against a work order or purchase order it already holds from a corporate, a public sector undertaking or a unicorn. Deshpande Startups delivers it and holds a small equity stake on behalf of MeitY Startup Hub. Applications were closed when we checked.
What you get
- Equity-based funding to execute the pilot
- Validation through a structured engagement with an industry partner
- Access to the ESDM, 3D, mechanical and electrical labs
- Enabling partners, expert guidance and industry mentor networks
Who can apply
- DPIIT-registered startups based in a Tier-II or Tier-III city
- Working in ICT-related domains: IT and AI, electronic design and manufacturing, tech and deep tech products
- An MVP or working prototype ready to deploy
- A viable business plan with a full-time founder or co-founder
- A pilot work order or purchase order from an eligible corporate, PSU or unicorn, which must itself meet turnover, operating-history and documentation criteria
- No earlier support under MeitY TIDE 2.0 Scale-Up or SAMRIDH
How to apply: applications run online when a call opens. Enquiries go to etprograms@dfmail.org.
Where to apply
Other Deshpande Startups programmes
- IncubationA twelve-month, sector-agnostic programme for startups past the prototyping stage, run on the Hubballi campus.
- AccelerationA sixteen-week cohort programme for early-revenue, market-ready startups, focused on growth, distribution and investment readiness.
- YUVA ValidateA free five-week hybrid programme that helps student founders test whether their startup idea is worth building.
- Grind2GrowthA six-month entrepreneurship development programme for early-stage founders from North Karnataka.
- NIDHI EIRA Department of Science and Technology fellowship that pays a monthly stipend so a technical founder can work on their venture full time. Between intakes.
- NIDHI PRAYASA prototyping grant with lab access, for turning an idea or proof of concept into a working prototype.
- MeitY GENESIS EiRMeitY Startup Hub's entrepreneur-in-residence track, with grant support and on-campus incubation for early technology innovators from smaller cities.
- MeitY Matching Fund (GENESIS Investment 2.0)A one-for-one matching investment against private capital a startup has already received, plus a structured acceleration programme.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)Seed funding from the national scheme, disbursed to selected startups through Deshpande Startups as an approved incubator. Between intakes.
- Bridge2Bharat HubballiA soft-landing package for growth-stage startups opening operations in Hubballi.
- Infinity Innovation LabsFour hardware labs on the Hubballi campus - mechanical, PCB assembly, 3D printing and electronics - open to startups and small manufacturers.