Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme exists to get early-stage, DPIIT-recognised startups through proof of concept, prototyping and their first steps into the market. We help you build the case incubators want to see.
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Government seed funding, routed through incubators
SISFS is a government scheme run by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), designed to help early-stage startups get through proof of concept, prototype development, product trials and their first steps into the market — the stage where capital is hardest to raise from anyone else. Funds don’t come directly from the government; they’re disbursed through a network of approved incubators, who evaluate applications and decide who gets funded.
Because incubators do the selection, a strong application matters as much as eligibility — clear articulation of the idea, the market, and the team is what gets a startup shortlisted.
- DPIIT-recognised startup
- Recently incorporated, within the scheme’s stated window
- At ideation, prototype, or early validation stage
- Majority Indian promoter shareholding
Early-stage startups, before product-market fit
Not yet ready for institutional funding
Startups still validating an idea or building a first prototype, well before they’d be ready to raise from a VC, fit the profile SISFS targets.
Open across sectors
The scheme isn’t restricted to one industry, though certain sectors with social or developmental impact often get preference from incubators.
Recognition is the starting point
If your startup isn’t DPIIT-recognised yet, that has to happen before a SISFS application makes sense.
From DPIIT recognition to incubator selection
DPIIT recognition
If your startup isn’t recognised yet, we handle that first — it’s a prerequisite for SISFS.
Eligibility review
Confirming your stage, incorporation timeline and shareholding fit the scheme’s current criteria.
Application drafting
Building a clear, well-structured application on the Startup India portal — the idea, the team, and the market opportunity.
Incubator shortlisting
Helping you choose which approved incubators to apply to, based on sector fit and track record.
Evaluation support
Preparing you for the incubator’s evaluation questions before you go in.
Post-funding compliance
Once funded, keeping the reporting and utilisation records the incubator and DPIIT expect.
From recognition to funding decision
DPIIT recognition confirmed
The starting requirement, sorted first if not already in place.
Application built
Idea, team and market opportunity, articulated for the Startup India portal.
Incubators selected and applied to
Preferred incubators chosen and the application submitted.
Evaluation and funding
Incubator reviews the application; if selected, seed funding is disbursed.
Questions companies ask first.
Does my startup need to be DPIIT-recognised before applying?
Yes. DPIIT recognition is a prerequisite for SISFS eligibility. If you’re not recognised yet, that’s the first step — we can handle it alongside the SISFS application.
How does the funding actually reach the startup?
It’s disbursed through the incubator selected to support you, not directly from the government. The form it takes — grant, convertible instrument or debt-linked support — depends on your stage and the incubator’s terms.
Can I apply to more than one incubator?
Yes, the scheme allows applying to a small number of preferred incubators at once for evaluation. We help you choose ones with a genuine sector fit rather than applying broadly and hoping.
Tell us what you need.
A short call to understand where you stand and how we would run this for you. No obligation.
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