Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
SISFS channels government seed funding to early-stage, DPIIT-recognised startups through approved incubators. We help you get DPIIT-recognised, build the application, and pick the right incubators.
|800+ businesses served since 2020
Government seed funding, routed through incubators
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme is a DPIIT initiative that channels early-stage funding to startups through a network of approved incubators, rather than paying startups directly. It’s built for the capital gap before a startup has enough traction to raise from investors — covering proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialisation.
Funding windows, caps and the list of participating incubators are set by DPIIT and revised periodically, so we confirm the current scheme status and application calendar before you apply rather than working off an old snapshot.
- DPIIT recognition as a startup, held before you apply
- Incorporation within the period DPIIT currently prescribes
- Business at the ideation, prototype or early validation stage
- Majority shareholding held by Indian promoters
- A genuinely innovative product, service or business model
Early-stage startups before their first raise
Past the idea stage
Teams with a real product direction but not enough traction yet to approach investors.
Capital before revenue
Businesses that need funding for prototyping and trials before they can generate meaningful revenue.
Open across sectors
DPIIT has historically prioritised areas like healthcare, agriculture, clean energy and financial inclusion, though the scheme itself is sector-agnostic.
DPIIT recognition to fund utilisation
DPIIT recognition
Getting your startup formally recognised, the entry requirement for SISFS.
Eligibility and scheme-status check
Confirming the current application window and terms before you invest time in an application.
Application build
Your business case, team profile and market potential written up for the Startup India portal.
Incubator shortlisting
Identifying incubators aligned to your sector and stage from the approved network.
Evaluation support
Preparing you for the incubator’s assessment of innovation, market potential and team capability.
Post-approval compliance
Reporting and fund utilisation tracked once seed funding is disbursed.
Four steps to a funded application
We confirm eligibility
DPIIT recognition and current scheme terms checked first.
We build the application
Business case and documentation prepared for the portal.
We shortlist incubators
Options matched to your sector and stage.
We support through evaluation
Guidance through the incubator’s assessment and, if approved, fund disbursal.
Questions companies ask first.
Do I need DPIIT recognition before applying to SISFS?
Yes. DPIIT recognition as a startup is a prerequisite for applying to the Seed Fund Scheme.
Does SISFS pay startups directly?
No. Funding is disbursed through the incubator you’re selected by, in whichever form the scheme currently allows — grants, convertible instruments or debt-linked funding, depending on your stage.
Is the scheme open to every sector?
The scheme is sector-agnostic, though DPIIT has given preference to startups working on socially or economically significant problems. We check current sectoral preferences as part of your application strategy.
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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