Startup Grants India · Starting Up

📄 Article

✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

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.

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS): Programs, Cohorts & Eligibility

From Startup Grants India by Startup Grants India 12 min read

Grant up to 20 lakh for proof of concept/prototype/trials, plus up to 50 lakh as convertible debt for scaling
You apply through empanelled incubators (up to three in preference order), not to DPIIT directly
Hard gates: DPIIT-recognised, incorporated under 2 years, 51% Indian promoter shareholding, and under 10 lakh of prior government funding

Open startupgrantsindia.com →

Answers BIRAC vs SISFS vs a state grant: which non-dilutive scheme actually fits my startup? Which incubator or accelerator should I join purely to unlock grant money, and what do they take in return?

🛠️ Tool

✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

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.

StartupGrantsIndia: Competitions and Hackathons directory

From Startup Grants India by Nexora Technology browse, filterable

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

Open startupgrantsindia.com →

Answers Are startup pitch competitions and grand challenges worth entering for the prize money?

🛠️ Tool

✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

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.

Startup Grants India: Accelerator and Incubator Directory by Sector

From Startup Grants India by Startup Grants India browse

Filter accelerators and incubators by industry, stage, and grant type, so you find the sector-fit program instead of the famous generalist one
Each listing shows funding range, fund type (equity or non-dilutive), and deadline, letting you shortlist on terms, not reputation
Covers 148+ equity programs plus grants and competitions in one place, useful for stacking non-dilutive capital with a specialized incubator

Open startupgrantsindia.com →

Answers Is there a sector-specific incubator or accelerator for what I'm building (deeptech, biotech, agritech, fintech, climate)?