Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
Up to ₹20 L grant for PoC/prototype + up to ₹50 L convertible/debt for market entry. Apply to up to 3 incubators. ₹605+ Cr deployed to 3,400+ startups.
Quick facts
- Ministry / Agency
- DPIIT (via incubators)
- Funding
- ₹20 L – ₹70 L
- Stage
- ideation, prototype, mvp
- Sector
- Any sector
- Equity dilution
- convertible
- DPIIT recognition required
- Yes
- NRI / OCI eligibility
- Eligible if the entity is Indian-incorporated; the founder's NRI / OCI status is treated as Indian for this scheme.
Who is eligible
DPIIT-recognised, <2 yrs old, ≥51% Indian promoter, turnover ≤₹25 Cr, no prior govt funding >₹10 L
How to apply
SISFS is administered by DPIIT (via incubators). Applications are submitted through the official portal — there are no application fees and you do not need to go through third-party intermediaries. Before applying, complete DPIIT Startup India Recognition — it is a prerequisite for this scheme.
Apply on the official portalRelated schemes
Other schemes that often pair with SISFS or apply to a similar profile.
DPIIT Startup India Recognition
The gateway credential. Itself free, but unlocks 80-IAC tax holiday, IP fee rebates, labour self-cert, GeM access, SISFS eligibility. First filing post-incorporation.
SAMRIDH — MeitY Startup Accelerator
Up to ₹40 L matching investment via accelerator. ~300 startups targeted; 373 supported as of Feb 2026.
Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) 1.0 & 2.0
FFS doesn't fund startups directly — backs SEBI AIFs which deploy 2× SIDBI commitment into DPIIT startups. FFS 2.0 (Apr 2026): another ₹10,000 Cr with Deep Tech carve-out.
PMEGP — PM's Employment Generation Programme
New-unit setup loan with 15-35% margin money subsidy. Special category (women, SC/ST, OBC, NER, hilly) gets 25% urban / 35% rural. Works for shops, manufacturing, services.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for SISFS?+
DPIIT-recognised, <2 yrs old, ≥51% Indian promoter, turnover ≤₹25 Cr, no prior govt funding >₹10 L
What is the funding amount under SISFS?+
₹20 L – ₹70 L. ₹20 L grant + ₹50 L convertible/debt
Can NRI or OCI founders apply for SISFS?+
Eligible if the entity is Indian-incorporated; the founder's NRI / OCI status is treated as Indian for this scheme.
Does SISFS require DPIIT recognition?+
Yes — DPIIT recognition is mandatory before applying for SISFS.
How do I apply for SISFS?+
Apply through the official portal at seedfund.startupindia.gov.in. The scheme is administered by DPIIT (via incubators).
Want to see what else you qualify for?
Take the 60-second finder. Get a ranked list of schemes matched to your profile.
Start the Finder