Central Scheme·All India·Active

Technology Development Board

Soft loans (up to 50% project cost) or equity at concessional rates ~5-9%. Suited for hardware/IP-heavy ventures.

Quick facts

Ministry / Agency: DST
Funding: ₹2 Cr – ₹10 Cr
Stage: mvp, early-revenue, growth
Sector: deeptech, hardware, manufacturing
Equity dilution: mixed
DPIIT recognition required: No
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

Companies commercialising indigenously developed technology

How to apply

TDB is administered by DST. Applications are submitted through the official portal — there are no application fees and you do not need to go through third-party intermediaries.

Apply on the official portal

Opens tdb.gov.in in a new tab. StartupIndi is not affiliated with this scheme or its administering body.

Other schemes that often pair with TDB or apply to a similar profile.

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.

Funding: Indirect via AIFsStage: mvp, early-revenue

NIDHI-PRAYAS

Up to ₹10 L for prototype development. Routed through TBIs.

Funding: Up to ₹10 LStage: ideation, prototype

NIDHI-SSS — Seed Support Scheme

Up to ₹1 Cr per startup via incubator as loan, equity, or equity-linked. NRI-friendly.

Funding: Up to ₹1 CrStage: mvp, early-revenue

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.

Funding: Up to ₹50 LStage: ideation, mvp

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for TDB?+

Companies commercialising indigenously developed technology

What is the funding amount under TDB?+

₹2 Cr – ₹10 Cr. ₹2-10 Cr; 5-9% concessional

Can NRI or OCI founders apply for TDB?+

Eligible if the entity is Indian-incorporated; the founder's NRI / OCI status is treated as Indian for this scheme.

Does TDB require DPIIT recognition?+

No — DPIIT recognition is not required for TDB.

How do I apply for TDB?+

Apply through the official portal at tdb.gov.in. The scheme is administered by DST.

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