Schemes · Funding
Grants, investment and programmes a founder here can use.
IITG-TIC is an implementing partner and DPIIT-recognised incubator for central, state and CSR-backed schemes. The centre helps North East founders work out which of them fit, put the application together and meet the milestones that release the money.
01
MeitY GENESIS — Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) Support
Idea-stage funding for first-time, first-generation entrepreneurs from Tier-II and Tier-III India.
Funding available
Up to ₹10 Lakh in equity-free support, released in milestone-based tranches.
What it is
GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) is a Government of India scheme run by MeitY Startup Hub to discover and fund technology startups outside metro cities. Its EiR vertical is built specifically for individuals at the ideation or validation stage who haven't yet raised significant funding. IITG-TIC is an implementing partner for this scheme in the North East.
Who it's for
- First-generation entrepreneurs, 18 years or older
- Founders working full-time on their startup idea
- Startups with total prior external funding (including government grants) under ₹10 Lakh
- Applicants from Tier-II/Tier-III cities — Guwahati and the wider North East qualify
- Focus areas: Electronics Design & Manufacturing, ICT, and Deep-Tech Software & Products
02
MeitY GENESIS — Pilot (Proof-of-Concept) Support
Funding to prove your product works with a real industry or PSU partner.
Funding available
Average ₹40 Lakh, up to a maximum of ₹50 Lakh per startup.
What it is
The Pilot vertical of GENESIS helps startups validate their solution through a structured pilot project with a corporate, PSU, or large enterprise partner — turning a working prototype into a market-tested product with a credible reference customer.
Who it's for
- Startups with a working prototype ready for real-world pilot testing
- Teams targeting corporate, PSU, or enterprise customers
- Sectors: IT & AI, Electronics Design & Manufacturing, Deep-Tech, and related ICT domains
How IITG-TIC helps
- Helps identify and approach suitable pilot partners
- Supports the pilot funding application and documentation
- Provides technical validation support from IIT Guwahati labs during the pilot
03
MeitY GENESIS — Matching Investment Support
Co-investment support once you have a private investor on board.
Funding available
Average ₹40 Lakh, up to ₹50 Lakh, matched 1:1 against private investment.
What it is
For startups that have secured commitment from a private investor, GENESIS matches that investment 1:1, effectively doubling the capital available for commercialisation and scale-up — without diluting founders further than the original round.
Who it's for
- Startups with a confirmed private investor commitment
- Deep-tech, ICT, or electronics-focused ventures
- Companies ready to deploy capital toward market entry and scaling
04
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
DPIIT's national seed fund for proof of concept through to commercialisation.
Funding available
Up to ₹20 Lakh as a grant for proof of concept, prototyping, or product trials, plus up to ₹50 Lakh as investment (via convertible debentures or debt-linked instruments) for market entry and scaling.
What it is
SISFS is the Government of India's flagship seed funding scheme, disbursed through DPIIT-recognised incubators such as IITG-TIC. It covers two distinct needs: validating your product and taking it to market.
Who it's for
- Startups recognised by DPIIT, incorporated within the last 2 years
- Technology-driven businesses solving a clear problem with scalable potential
- Priority sectors: social impact, waste management, financial inclusion, education, agriculture, healthcare, and more
05
Assam Startup & State Government Grants
State-level support layered on top of central government schemes.
Funding available
Varies by scheme; confirm current grant slabs with the IITG-TIC funding desk.
What it is
Through our partnership with the Assam Startup Mission (AISF) and other state bodies, IITG-TIC helps North East-based founders access state grants, subsidies, and policy benefits designed specifically for startups registered or operating in Assam — often stackable with central schemes like GENESIS or SISFS.
Who it's for
- Startups registered or headquartered in Assam
- Founders looking to combine state and central government funding
- Ventures in state-prioritised sectors (agritech, handloom-tech, tourism-tech, and more)
06
IITG-TIC Soft Loan Support
Bridge financing when grant disbursement timelines don't match your working-capital needs.
Funding available
Subject to availability of funds, grants, and schemes designated for this purpose at the time of application.
What it is
Where funds are available under relevant grants and schemes, IITG-TIC facilitates soft loans to incubated startups — low-interest bridge financing to cover working capital gaps between milestone-based grant disbursements.
Who it's for
- Actively incubated IITG-TIC startups facing a short-term capital gap
- Startups with an approved grant pending milestone-based disbursement
07
iDEX-DIO — Defence Innovation Support
Innovation and funding support for startups developing technology solutions for the Indian defence sector.
Funding available
Funding varies by challenge. iDEX opportunities may provide grants of up to ₹1.5 Crore under DISC and significantly higher support under selected ADITI challenges.
What it is
iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) is a Government of India initiative implemented through the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) to promote innovation and technology development in the defence sector. IITG-TIC supports startups and innovators in accessing iDEX opportunities, challenges, mentorship, and funding.
Who it's for
- Startups, innovators, and technology developers working on defence solutions
- Startups developing indigenous and innovative technologies
- Solutions addressing specific defence requirements and challenge statements
- Applicants from technology areas including drones, AI, robotics, defence electronics, advanced materials, cybersecurity, and other deep-tech domains
08
OIL SNEH — CSR-Supported Entrepreneurship Program
CSR-supported innovation and entrepreneurship development for aspiring entrepreneurs and startups in the North East.
Support available
Training, mentoring, entrepreneurship development, innovation support, and ecosystem engagement, depending on the program component.
What it is
OIL SNEH is a CSR initiative supported by Oil India Limited (OIL) aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and livelihood opportunities. The program provides structured support to aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators through capacity building, mentoring, and ecosystem support.
Who it's for
- Aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators
- Early-stage entrepreneurs and startups
- Participants from the North Eastern region
- Individuals seeking support to develop and validate innovative business ideas
09
NRL Ideathon — Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program
Ideation platform for discovering innovative solutions to real-world industry and societal challenges.
Support available
Idea evaluation, mentoring, innovation guidance, industry exposure, and opportunities for further development of promising solutions.
What it is
The NRL Ideathon is an innovation-focused initiative supported by Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) to identify promising ideas and encourage entrepreneurship among students, innovators, and aspiring founders. The program provides a platform for participants to develop and present technology-driven solutions.
Who it's for
- Students and young innovators
- Aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders
- Technology and engineering teams
- Participants developing solutions for industrial, energy, sustainability, and societal challenges
10
FICCI India — CSR Entrepreneurship Program
CSR-supported entrepreneurship and innovation development for emerging innovators and startups in the North East.
Support available
Entrepreneurship training, mentoring, business development support, ecosystem exposure, and incubation opportunities.
What it is
The FICCI India CSR Program supports entrepreneurship and innovation through structured capacity building, mentoring, and incubation support. The program helps promising innovators strengthen their ideas, develop entrepreneurial capabilities, and connect with the startup ecosystem.
Who it's for
- Aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators
- Early-stage startups and idea-stage founders
- Entrepreneurs from the North Eastern region
- Individuals developing innovative and technology-enabled solutions
11
MeitY GENESIS — Investment Component
Equity investment support for promising technology startups through a 1:1 matching investment model.
Funding available
Up to ₹40 Lakh in matching investment support, subject to the applicable GENESIS guidelines and investor contribution.
What it is
GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) is a Government of India initiative implemented by MeitY Startup Hub to strengthen the startup ecosystem beyond major metropolitan cities. Under the Investment Component, selected startups can receive matching equity investment through their incubator, helping them raise follow-on capital and accelerate growth. IITG-TIC is an implementing partner for GENESIS in the North East.
Who it's for
- Technology-driven startups with a scalable business model
- Startups seeking early-stage equity investment
- Startups with potential for growth, market adoption, and follow-on funding
- Startups meeting the eligibility criteria under the GENESIS Investment Component
- Startups from Tier-II/Tier-III cities and emerging startup ecosystems, including the North East
- Focus areas include Deep-Tech, AI/ML, Electronics, ICT, and other technology-driven products and solutions
12
MeitY GENESIS — Deep-Tech Funding Support
Funding support for selected startups developing high-impact, technology-driven solutions.
Funding available
Funding support is provided to a select number of eligible startups, based on the applicable GENESIS component, evaluation, and milestone requirements.
What it is
MeitY GENESIS provides funding and ecosystem support to selected startups working on innovative and high-impact technology solutions. The program aims to help promising startups validate their technology, strengthen product development, and accelerate commercialization.
Who it's for
- Technology-driven startups developing high-impact solutions
- Early-stage startups with innovative and scalable technologies
- Startups working on deep-tech and emerging technology areas
- Founders developing solutions with strong market and societal impact
- Startups meeting the eligibility and selection criteria under the MeitY GENESIS program