Kerala Startup Mission

The Fund of Funds invests as a Limited Partner in SEBI-registered AIFs, which then invest directly in startups. It is sector-agnostic. Calls for proposals are issued periodically. SEBI-registered Category I and Category II AIFs are eligible. Funds are expected to have a clear focus on investing in startups based in Kerala.

IGNITE is an investor education initiative designed to equip High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) and Ultra High Net-Worth Individuals (UHNIs) with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks required to participate confidently in startup investing. The program focuses on building a strong understanding of the startup investment ecosystem, including deal evaluation, risk assessment, portfolio construction, and long-term value creation. Through structured learning modules, practical tools, and curated access to high-quality startup opportunities, IGNITE enables participants to make informed investment decisions and engage meaningfully as angel investors. Eligibility: High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs), Ultra High Net-Worth Individuals (UHNIs), Individuals interested in startup and early-stage investments.

NSTEDB, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has introduced the NIDHI – Seed Support (SS) Program to provide crucial financial assistance to technology-driven startups in their early stages of development. The program is designed to bridge the gap between ideation and commercialization by supporting innovative ventures with strong technical potential. The primary objective of the seed support system is to nurture startups with promising ideas, innovations, and technologies by reducing early-stage financial constraints. The NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI-SSP) offers funding for activities such as proof of concept, prototype development, product validation, market trials, initial market entry, and eventual commercialization, thereby strengthening the startup ecosystem. Eligibility: The applicant startup must be a company registered in India, preferably be a DPIIT registered/applied startup and should have completed a minimum 3 months of association with the incubator in its resident or virtual incubation program. The applicant startup should have developed a clarity on Unique Selling Proposition (USP) through customer validation and value proposition for its targeted customers. This support is not meant for Indian Subsidiaries of MNCs/foreign companies. Persons holding Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) would be considered as Indian citizens for the purpose of this scheme. The shareholding by Indian promoters in the incubated startup should be at least 51%. Preference will be given to startups, who have not availed any funding from any Government of India /State Govt. body. Funding ranges from 2,500,000 to 10,000,000 rupees. The fund disbursal will be on an installment basis. A related scheme, Scale-up Seed Support Scheme (an initiative of the Government of Kerala), provides financial assistance mainly through collateral-free debt or SAFE instruments such as CCD/CCPS to help startups expand products, markets, and operations, and bridge the gap between early-stage funding and VC funding. Eligibility for Scale-up Seed Support: Startups must be registered in Kerala as a Private Limited company, recognized by DPIIT, and have a KSUM Unique ID. They should be working on an innovative product or technology and be in the revenue stage, with at least Rs. 25 lakhs revenue in the last four quarters or Rs. 25 lakhs investment from an angel/VC, and at least Rs. 5 lakhs revenue in the previous quarter. Max funding for Scale-up Seed Support is Rs. 25 lakhs per startup. Startups that have already availed KSUM seed fund may also be eligible for an extended limit. Repayment for Scale-up Seed Fund: soft loan at 6% simple interest per annum. Startups can avail a 12-month moratorium, and the total amount (with interest) must be repaid in 36 monthly installments. Repayment is first adjusted against the principal, and prepayment is allowed without any penalty.

Coming Soon

Focuses on idea and problem validation, business models, product thinking, and early customer discovery and building a working MVP.

It offers focused workshops on business model validation, MVP refinement, go-to-market strategy, and fundraising, along with group mentoring and peer learning. The programme culminates in a Demo Day, preparing startups for growth and investment readiness.

Designed to support startups that have entered the early revenue stage and are looking to accelerate growth and expand their market presence. The scheme provides financial assistance of up to 10 lakhs to help startups strengthen marketing, customer acquisition, branding, product improvements, and revenue generation activities. Startups that have previously availed Idea Grant or Productization Grant are eligible only for the remaining eligible amount. The grant is applicable exclusively to startups owning innovative technology-based products and is disbursed in milestone-based tranches as per KSUM guidelines. Eligibility: Startup must be in the early revenue stage, must own an innovative technology-based product, if Idea/ Productization Grant was previously availed, only the remaining eligible amount can be claimed, must hold a valid KSUM Unique ID, must be incorporated as Pvt Ltd / LLP / OPC with active MCA status. Marketing expenses can be funded up to 100% under the marketing head, with manpower capped at 50%. 30% of the approved grant amount must be brought as margin money. Fund disbursement is in milestone-based tranches (generally 50% first tranche, balance after progress review and utilisation certificate). Interim progress report and utilisation certificate for second tranche release required.