3 resources from Startup Grants India we point founders to, and the questions each answers.
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Why we picked it
The clearest single-page explainer of the SISFS mechanics that trip founders up: you never apply to DPIIT directly, you apply to up to three empanelled incubators, and the money splits into a non-dilutive grant (up to 20 lakh for proof of concept or prototype) plus repayable/convertible instruments (up to 50 lakh for scaling). It spells out the 51% Indian shareholding rule, the under-2-years incorporation cap, and the 10 lakh prior-funding ceiling in one place.
Why we picked it
This is a curated, actively maintained list of 448+ Indian and India-open competitions with the prize size, deadline, and stage on every card, so an Anywhere Founder outside the Bengaluru or Delhi loop can scan what is worth entering without a network to hear about them. It surfaces the range honestly, from a 1 to 3 lakh Zepto Nova to the Startup World Cup at up to 9 crore, which makes the point for you: most prizes are small, a few are large and long-odds, and you should pick the two or three that fit your sector.
One screen shows prize size, deadline, and stage across 448+ programs, so you can build a short list instead of chasing the whole circuit
The spread from a few lakh to multi-crore makes the core lesson visible: prize money is rarely a funding strategy
It is a private aggregator, not affiliated with any government body, so cross-check the marquee grand challenges on the official Startup India portal before you apply
Why we picked it
Once you know you want a specialized program, this is where you filter for it: a live India directory of accelerators and incubators you can narrow by industry, stage, grant type (equity vs non-dilutive), state, and deadline, each with the actual funding range and closing date. It covers the sector programs that matter for a niche build (deeptech, fintech, agritech, climate, export) with real numbers like the Exim Bank Ubharte Sitaare and NIDHI-SSS entries, so you compare on offer and terms rather than brand name.
