Grant (PoC / prototype)
Up to ₹20 lakh as a grant for validation of proof of concept, or prototype development, or product trials.
- Non-repayable grant
- Tied to PoC milestones
- Disbursement in tranches
Startup India Seed Fund
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme Up to ₹20 lakh as a grant and up to ₹50 lakh as convertible debentures or debt, through a DPIIT empanelled incubator.
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provides up to ₹20 lakh as a grant for validation of proof of concept, or prototype development, or product trials, and up to ₹50 lakh of investment for market entry, commercialisation or scaling up through convertible debentures or debt or debt-linked instruments. Both are disbursed by a DPIIT empanelled incubator, not by the government directly. The scheme has a corpus of ₹945 crore and is overseen by an Expert Advisory Committee.
Reviewed by CA Ganpat Khemka · Last updated 24 September 2026
Reviewed by a Chartered Accountant45 days to selectionBest for: DPIIT recognised, incorporated not more than 2 years ago
Fee
On quote
SISFS Application
DPIIT recognised, incorporated not more than 2 years ago
Incubator shortlisting
SISFS application drafting
Pitch deck + projections
Disbursement compliance
Timeline
45 days to selection
What it is
SISFS Application, explained in plain English.
SISFS provides early-stage funding via DPIIT-empanelled incubators - up to ₹20 lakh as grant for PoC / prototype / product trials, and up to ₹50 lakh as convertible debt for market entry / scale-up. Application is through up to three empanelled incubators, in order of preference (not directly to government).
Key terms
The words used in the scheme guidelines
SISFS
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, administered by DPIIT through empanelled incubators, with a corpus of ₹945 crore approved to more than 215 incubators, and overseen by an Expert Advisory Committee that selects the incubators and monitors the scheme.
Empanelled incubator
Incubator approved by DPIIT to disburse SISFS funds.
Grant vs debt
Grant: for validation of proof of concept, prototype development or product trials, released against milestones. Investment: for market entry, commercialisation or scaling up, through convertible debentures or debt or debt-linked instruments. The conversion and repayment terms are set in the agreement with the individual incubator.
Routes & scenarios
Match the situation to the right fix.
Convertible debt (commercialisation)
Up to ₹50 lakh of investment for market entry, commercialisation or scaling up, through convertible debentures or debt or debt-linked instruments.
- Terms set in the incubator's agreement
- Milestone-linked release
- Milestone-based disbursement
Are you eligible?
Six conditions, all of them checkable in an afternoon. Two of them are where most founders fall out.
| Condition | What the scheme requires | How we check it |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition | The startup must be recognised by DPIIT | Your Certificate of Recognition. If you do not hold it, DPIIT recognition comes first and carries no government fee |
| Age | Incorporated not more than 2 years ago at the time of application | Date on the certificate of incorporation against the date you apply. This is the condition that expires, so it sets your deadline |
| Business | A viable business idea with market fit and the ability to be commercialised | Read from your business plan and project report |
| Technology | Using technology in the core product or service, the business model, the distribution model or the methodology used to solve the problem targeted | We look at where the technology actually sits. An app is not the same as technology in the core |
| Other government support | Not more than ₹10 lakh of monetary support received under any other central or state government scheme | We list every grant, subsidy and state scheme benefit already taken. This is the condition founders forget |
| Shareholding | Indian promoter shareholding of at least 51% at the time of application | Shareholding pattern as at the application date, not at incorporation. A foreign round can take you below the line |
Preference under the scheme goes to startups working on solutions in sectors that include social impact, waste management, water management, financial inclusion, education, agriculture, food processing, biotechnology, healthcare, energy, mobility, defence, space, railways, oil and gas, and textiles. If you sit in one of those, say so in plain words early in the application.
One more rule shapes the strategy: a startup cannot receive seed support more than once under each limb of the scheme. You get one shot at the grant and one at the market entry support, so the ask has to match the stage you are actually at.
Where the scheme stands, and how to apply
The scheme is running, with a corpus of ₹945 crore approved to more than 215 incubators. Applications are made to incubators, and each incubator runs its own call.
The Expert Advisory Committee is responsible for the execution and monitoring of the scheme. It evaluates and selects the incubators that receive seed funds, monitors progress and takes the measures needed for the funds to be used properly. It does not select startups: the incubator's own seed management committee does that.
You apply for seed fund to any three incubators selected as disbursing partners, in order of your preference. Nothing is filed with DPIIT directly, and there is no government fee.
We do not publish a live application deadline on this page, because a deadline that is right today is wrong next month and each empanelled incubator opens and closes its own call. Send us your DPIIT recognition number and your sector, and we check which of the empanelled incubators are accepting applications for you at that point, before any work starts.
The process
From incubator shortlist to the first instalment
01
Incubator shortlist
You may apply to any three empanelled incubators, in order of preference. We shortlist the three on sector fit, the incubator's own focus areas and where its call is open.
02
Application
Pitch deck, financial projections, proof of concept plan, team and IP, submitted through the seed fund application with your three incubator preferences.
03
Selection committee
The incubator's seed management committee, called the ISMC in the guidelines, evaluates and selects startups within 45 days of receipt of the application.
04
Disbursement
The grant is released in three or more milestone-based instalments. The first instalment may be up to 40% of the total approved commitment, and it is released not more than 60 days from receipt of the application. Later instalments follow within 30 days of proof that the agreed milestones are met.
Documents required
What we'll need from you.
Send these across before we shortlist incubators. We check the eligibility conditions against your incorporation date, shareholding and any earlier government support before anything is submitted.
DPIIT recognition certificate
Pitch deck + business plan
Founder bios + IP details
Financial projections (3 years)
PoC / prototype roadmap
Sectoral problem / solution memo
What you get, and when the money arrives
Two limbs, both released against milestones, with published timelines from the date your application is received.
| Limb | Amount | What it is for | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | Up to ₹20 lakh | Validation of proof of concept, or prototype development, or product trials | Grant, released in three or more milestone-based instalments |
| Investment | Up to ₹50 lakh | Market entry, commercialisation or scaling up | Convertible debentures, or debt, or debt-linked instruments |
| Stage | Published timeline |
|---|---|
| The incubator's seed management committee evaluates and selects startups | Within 45 days of receipt of the application |
| First instalment of the grant released | Not more than 60 days from receipt of the application. The first instalment may be up to 40% of the total approved commitment |
| Each later instalment | Within 30 days of submission of proof that the agreed milestones have been achieved |
Two conditions attach to the money. The milestones are agreed upfront, and the guidelines describe them as things like developing a prototype, product testing and building a product ready for market launch. And the seed fund shall strictly not be used by startups for creation of any facilities, so it does not pay for an office, a plant or fit-outs. Plan the budget around the milestones you wrote, not around your general burn: our financial projections and model work is built the same way.
SISFS Application FAQ
Common questions about the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
Not sure whether you are eligible? Send us your incorporation date, shareholding pattern and any government support already received, and we will tell you.
Still have questions about the seed fund?
Call or WhatsApp +91 70444 94804 with your DPIIT recognition number and incorporation date.
Check my SISFS eligibility →Two kinds of support, both through a DPIIT empanelled incubator. Up to ₹20 lakh as a grant for validation of proof of concept, or prototype development, or product trials. And up to ₹50 lakh of investment for market entry, commercialisation or scaling up, through convertible debentures or debt or debt-linked instruments. The scheme has a corpus of ₹945 crore.
Ready when you are
Start on your seed fund application, with the eligibility checked first.
Send your DPIIT recognition certificate and incorporation date. We check the eligibility conditions first, then shortlist incubators and confirm the fee.