SSIP 2.0 PoC Support at GUSEC
By GUSEC
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Quick Answer
Get up to ₹2.5 Lakhs in non-repayable funding, patent support, mentorship and incubation at GUSEC to turn your student idea into a working prototype.
About this grant
The SSIP 2.0 PoC (Proof-of-Concept) Support program, run by GUSEC (Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council), is part of the Student Start-up and Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0) of the Education Department, Government of Gujarat, with Gujarat Knowledge Society as the nodal agency. It helps students and young innovators across Gujarat turn original ideas into physical proof-of-concepts and prototypes, and onward into startups.
Selected applicants receive a grant for raw materials, testing components and hardware needed to build a working prototype, plus IP and patent filing support. Beyond funding, GUSEC provides mentorship from industry experts, academicians and startup mentors, incubation at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, access to equipment and testing facilities, business development support, and connections to industry and investors. The grant targets early-stage ideas; startups that have already scaled, generated significant revenue, or availed larger grants may not be considered.
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
GUSEC is Gujarat University's own startup council, based on the university's campus in Ahmedabad. It runs as a Section 8 not-for-profit company chaired by the university's Vice-Chancellor, with day-to-day operations led by a Group CEO. Its own pages give different founding dates…
Learn moreThe Government of Gujarat supports startups through a state startup portal run by the Industries Commissionerate, the nodal department for startup support in the state. Its core founder assistance is sanctioned to approved startups and paid through approved nodal institutions.…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- ₹20,000 – ₹2.5L
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Selected student innovators and teams can receive up to ₹2.5 Lakhs to build a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) or prototype — covering raw materials, testing components and hardware kits. School students (Class 9–12) can receive up to ₹20,000. The grant is released in 2–3 instalments based on progress.
IP and patent support covers domestic patent filing up to ₹75,000 and international patent filing up to ₹1.5 Lakh, with further support for copyrights (₹8,000), trademarks (₹12,500) and industrial designs (₹9,000), as per SSIP 2.0.
Beyond funding, GUSEC offers mentorship from industry experts, academicians and startup mentors, incubation with workspace and networking at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, access to equipment and testing facilities for prototype design, business development support (market validation, business model refinement, commercialization) and industry and investor connects.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by an expert committee on innovation, technical feasibility, market potential and overall impact, in line with the criteria in the SSIP 2.0 Guidelines. Shortlisted applicants pitch before the committee. The grant primarily supports early-stage ideas for PoC development; startups that have already scaled, generated significant revenue or availed larger grants may not be considered. The final decision rests with GUSEC and Gujarat University.
Application Process
- 1
Register
Fill in the GUSEC SSIP 2.0 PoC Support application form.
You - 2
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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
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for SSIP 2.0 at GUSEC?
Students from Gujarat — school, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. — as well as alumni and dropouts, up to 35 years of age. GUSEC's page describes alumni eligibility as up to 5 years from graduation. Student teams and student-led startups can also apply.
Can I apply if I only have an idea?
Yes. Early-stage ideas are encouraged. Your idea is evaluated on its innovation, feasibility and potential impact.
Do I need to register a startup before applying?
No. You can apply even if your startup is not registered. Certain stages of support may require incorporation as per SSIP guidelines.
What is the maximum funding available?
Up to ₹2.5 Lakhs per PoC/prototype for higher and technical education students, and up to ₹20,000 for school students in Class 9–12, as per SSIP 2.0 guidelines.
Is support available for patent filing?
Yes. SSIP 2.0 provides patent support of up to ₹75,000 for domestic filing and up to ₹1.5 Lakh for filing in other countries, subject to policy guidelines.
What kind of projects are supported?
Innovative ideas, prototypes, products, technologies and research-based solutions with commercialization potential, across all domains.
How are applications evaluated?
Applications are reviewed by an expert committee on innovation, technical feasibility, market potential and overall impact. The final decision rests with GUSEC and Gujarat University.
Can I apply as a team?
Yes. Student teams can apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria under the SSIP 2.0 policy.
Can I apply for more than one idea?
Yes, provided each idea is unique and submitted as a separate application.
Will I receive mentorship after getting selected?
Yes. Selected applicants receive mentoring, technical guidance and incubation support from GUSEC experts to develop and commercialize their innovation.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
