WE START Pre-Incubation Program at Kerala Startup Mission
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Quick Answer
3-month pre-incubation program for women entrepreneurs to transform ideas into MVPs through workshops, mentorship, and networking.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Kerala Startup Mission
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Kerala
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 February 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Kerala Startup Mission. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
WE START is a structured 3-month pre-incubation program by Kerala Startup Mission designed exclusively for women-led startups and aspiring women entrepreneurs.
The program focuses on supporting founders in converting innovative ideas into functional MVPs through structured learning, expert mentorship, and practical guidance. Participants gain access to workshops, industry insights, and resources covering the entire early-stage startup journey, from ideation to market readiness.
The initiative aims to address the low participation of women in the startup ecosystem by equipping them with essential business fundamentals, tools, and networks to build scalable and sustainable ventures.
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
Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) is the Government of Kerala's nodal agency for entrepreneurship development and incubation, and the body that implements the Kerala Technology Startup Policy. It was founded in 2006, having started as T-TBI, a business incubation centre set up by…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Participants receive a structured 3-month pre-incubation experience from ideation to MVP, entirely free of charge. Benefits include 10+ workshops covering startup basics, design thinking, lean methodology, tech enablement, MVP-to-market readiness, customer discovery, iteration, founder branding, and pitching; one-to-one mentorship from industry experts; networking with women entrepreneurs, mentors, and collaborators through optional offline meet-ups; live Q&A insights from industry experts; and access to exclusive resource materials. Selected women founders also become eligible for KSUM's paid WEGROW incubation program, helping them take their venture to the next phase.
Application Process
- 1
Submit Application
Complete the Google form available on the Kerala Startup Mission website to apply for the program.
You
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
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the 'We Start Cohort 3' Program?
The program welcomes applications from all women entrepreneurs at various stages including Ideation, testing and validation, prototype development, and MVP development. Startups beyond the product stage are not eligible for this cohort.
Is this program specific to any particular sector?
No, any startup from any sector can attend this program.
What is the application process for the 'We Start' program?
To apply, please complete the Google form available on the Kerala Startup Mission website.
Is there a registration fee for the program?
Participation in the program is entirely free of charge.
How is the program structured?
The program consists of 10+ online sessions and offline workshops in between.
What are the details of the sessions?
Sessions will be held every Wednesday/Thursday via Zoom, with each session lasting a maximum of 1.5 hours. The program is scheduled to start from February 20, 2026.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
