Let’s be honest: funding is hard. But did you know there are government grants that don’t need to be repaid?
That’s right. If you’re building something real, the government wants to support you. You just need to know where to look and how to apply.
Here’s a list of the top startup grants available in 2025, who they’re for, how much you can get, and how BharatNXT Wave can help you apply.
Grant Amount: Up to ₹20 lakh for product development + ₹5 lakh for market entry
This is India’s flagship startup grant in 2025. If you’re an early-stage startup with a prototype or MVP and want to develop, test, or launch your product, SISFS is for you.
Eligibility:
Why it matters:
💡 BharatNXT Wave helps you register, get DPIIT status, and apply to the right incubators.
Grant Support: Up to ₹40 lakh + accelerator support
If your startup has some traction and is looking to scale with digital products or services, SAMRIDH is your next step.
Eligibility:
Benefits:
Many startups combine SISFS + SAMRIDH for a powerful grant-backed runway.
Grant: Up to ₹10 lakh for idea-to-prototype conversion
For student teams, college founders, and first-time innovators who don’t have a legal company yet, PRAYAS supports hardware/product innovation.
Eligibility:
Often seen as the first step before SISFS. BharatNXT Wave helps validate if you’re eligible.
Grant: Up to ₹50 lakh from BIRAC (Dept. of Biotechnology)
For biotech, healthtech, agritech, or life sciences startups solving deep-tech problems.
Eligibility:
Use of funds:
Grant: ₹1 lakh – ₹10 lakh (depending on idea stage)
Organized by Ministry of MSME and partners like NIFientreC, this grant is perfect for:
Eligibility:
BharatNXT Wave is an ecosystem partner. We can help you apply directly.
Support: Subsidy up to 35% on project cost
This is technically not a full grant, but offers partial capital subsidy for new manufacturing/service businesses.
Eligibility:
Why it matters:
Almost every state (e.g. Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan) offers:
Check your state startup portals or incubator pages, or contact us to find which one fits you.
Yes. Thousands of startups received grant money from the government in 2023–24. But the process is highly competitiveand needs:
That’s where we come in.
✅ DPIIT Recognition
✅ Udyam MSME Registration
✅ Valid PAN, Aadhaar, Bank details
✅ Pitch Deck (problem, solution, market, team, projections)
✅ Summary of innovation
✅ Early traction, MVP, or user validation (preferred)
✅ Recommendation from incubator (for some schemes)
Getting the grant is just the beginning. What you do next determines if your startup becomes scalable, investable, or even eligible for follow-up support. Here are critical focus areas post-grant:
1. Product-Market Fit (PMF) Isn’t Optional
Grants give you a financial runway. Use this wisely to validate your product with paying users. Nothing builds credibility faster than real market validation. Iterate your offering based on feedback before trying to scale.
2. Start Laying the Groundwork for Investment
Once grant money starts showing impact (users, revenue, partnerships), prepare your startup to talk to investors:
3. Build a Strategic Network
Use your incubation or grant partnerships to build credibility. Leverage every demo day, pitch review, or mentor connect that comes your way. Founders who stay active in these networks get more visibility and trust.
4. Track and Measure Outcomes
Create a dashboard to track your grant utilization. Monitor what the money is helping you achieve; is it better retention, hiring, revenue, etc. This will strengthen your reporting and build your eligibility for future support (grants or VC).
5. Prepare for Compliance and Scaling
Most grant committees will check your legal and tax hygiene before further approvals. Make sure:
This is where startups often fall short after initial wins.
📌 Need help building your compliance roadmap? Let’s talk.
Q1. Do I need to repay these grants later?
No. These are non-repayable government grants. They are not loans or equity investments.
Q2. I don’t have a company yet. Can I still apply?
For some grants like PRAYAS, yes. But most require you to be a registered entity with DPIIT or Udyam recognition. We can help you register.
Q3. How competitive are these grants?
Very. But with the right documentation, pitch deck, and approach, your chances go up significantly. That’s where we support founders.
Q4. What if my startup is service-based? Can I still get grants?
Yes. Grants like SAMRIDH and PMEGP support digital and service startups too.
Q5. What if I’m from a Tier 3 town or small city?
Many grants are designed exactly for you. MSME Hackathon, PMEGP, and state programs prioritize Tier 2/3 founders.
Q6. How long does it take to get the grant once approved?
Timelines vary, but most disbursements happen within 30–60 days post-approval.
Q7. What are common reasons for grant rejection?
Poor documentation, unclear business model, and missing registrations (like DPIIT/Udyam) are common blockers.
We make grant applications faster, cleaner, and aligned with what evaluators are looking for:
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
There is money on the table that never needs to be paid back, if you know how to claim it.
Whether you’re an early-stage founder, student innovator, or MSME in a Tier 2 city, the right government grant can fund your first breakthrough.
Don’t let paperwork or confusion stand between you and the resources that exist for people like you.
📩 Want help applying? Connect with us now for a free grant eligibility consultation.
