SIDBI Seed Fund Programme for iDEX-Supported Startups
Under iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) by Ministry of MSME
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
Seed funding program for defense-sector startups referred by iDEX, offering equity/equity-like investments of ₹10 lakhs to ₹150 lakhs to support product development, trials, and market launch, with…
- Funding amount
- ₹10 Lakhs – ₹15 Cr
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Ministry of MSME
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 20 July 2025. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Ministry of MSME. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre, IIT Kanpur (incubatoriitk), invites applications for the SIDBI Seed Fund Programme for Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India (MSMEs) and startups in the defence and related sectors. This initiative is hosted under FIRST (Programme/SPiDeR) in collaboration with iDEX and aims to promote innovation-led growth in domestic defence manufacturing, import substitution, and export potential.
Program Offerings
Startups and MSMEs selected under this program may receive seed funding support in the form of equity or equity-like instruments, ranging from ₹10 lakhs to ₹150 lakhs.
Supported activities may include:
- Testing, trials, and prototype validation
- Product design and development
- Technology transfers and pilot-scale manufacturing
- Field and market trials
- Product launch and scale-up
Other components deemed eligible by the Investment Committee
Focus Sector
Startups and MSMEs referred and supported by iDEX under various challenges, specifically in the defence and allied sectors, are encouraged to apply.
Contact: Ashish Sharma
Email: ashish.sharma@iitkfirst.com
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Ministry of MSME) is the Government of India ministry for the MSME sector. It does not run one programme. It runs a set of central schemes, each with its own portal and its own route in: a credit-linked subsidy for new…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- ₹10 Lakhs – ₹15 Cr
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Seed funding ranging from ₹10 lakhs to ₹150 lakhs provided in the form of equity or equity-like instruments. Funds can be used for testing and trials, prototype validation, product design and development, technology transfers and pilot-scale manufacturing, field and market trials, product launch and scale-up, and other components deemed eligible by the Investment Committee.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the funding range under this program?
Seed funding from ₹10 lakhs to ₹150 lakhs is available.
What form does the funding take?
The funding is provided as equity or equity-like instruments, not as a grant.
Which activities can the funds be used for?
Eligible activities include testing, trials, prototype validation, product design and development, technology transfers, pilot-scale manufacturing, field and market trials, product launch, scale-up, and other activities approved by the Investment Committee.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be Indian private limited companies, DPIIT-registered or recognized as a startup, winners of an iDEX challenge, in receipt of iDEX grant support, and referred by iDEX to FIRST. Additionally, they must be incubated at SIIC IIT Kanpur or willing to incubate there.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
