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About the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)

DPIIT, Government of India · Startup India (Seed Fund portal) Free Beginner India

This is the benchmark to hold any private accelerator against. Under SISFS the government routes money to you THROUGH DPIIT-recognised incubators as a grant of up to 20 lakh (plus up to 50 lakh as debt or convertible debenture), so a vetted incubator can back you without charging a fee. If a program is asking for cash AND equity for less, ask why you shouldn't just apply here to an empanelled incubator instead.

  • The scheme funds you through DPIIT-recognised incubators, giving you a government-vetted list of real programs to apply to
  • Grant of up to 20 lakh for proof of concept plus up to 50 lakh debt/convertible debenture sets a fair, low-dilution reference point
  • If a private program wants a fee plus more equity than this, that gap is your leverage to walk
Open on seedfund.startupindia.gov.in ↗

The question it answers

  1. How do I tell a genuinely good incubator or accelerator from one that just takes equity and gives nothing?

Read with it

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