Startup India Registration

ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLYING FOR STARTUP INDIA
 

The Startup India framework has evolved over time to accommodate different types of innovative businesses. Under the current framework, an eligible entity may generally qualify for DPIIT recognition if:
i.    it is incorporated or registered in India as a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Registered Partnership Firm, or eligible Cooperative Society, 
ii.    the period of existence and operations has not exceeded 10 years from the date of incorporation.
iii.    the annual turnover has not exceeded Rs. 200 crores in any financial year since incorporation.
iv.    the entity should not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business.
v.    the entity is working towards the development or improvement of a product, process, or service and/or have a scalable business model with high potential for wealth and employment generation.
 

It is also important to distinguish incorporation/registration of a business from DPIIT recognition. Incorporation establishes the legal entity, whereas DPIIT recognition is a separate recognition granted to an eligible entity under the Startup India framework. 

DEEP-TECH STARTUPS

What is a DeepTech Startup?
A DeepTech Startup is a startup that develops innovative solutions based on significant scientific or technological advancements, often involving research and development, advanced engineering, or the application of emerging technologies. Such startups typically address complex problems and may require substantial R&D, specialized knowledge, and longer development cycles. 

Eligibility for DPIIT Recognition
Under the current framework, an eligible entity may generally qualify for DPIIT recognition as a Deep-Tech Startup if:
i.    it is incorporated or registered in India as a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership, Registered Partnership Firm, or eligible cooperative society, 
ii.    the period of existence and operations has not exceeded 20 years from the date of incorporation.
iii.    the annual turnover has not exceeded Rs. 300 crores in any financial year since incorporation.
iv.    the entity should not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business.
v.    the entity is working towards the development or improvement of a product, process, or service and/or have a scalable business model with high potential for wealth and employment generation.

KEY INITIATIVES

1. Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR)
Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry, BHASKAR, is envisioned as a one-stop digital platform where diverse startup ecosystem stakeholders can seamlessly connect and collaborate, catalysing the growth and success of the startup ecosystem across India.
2. National Startup Awards
The National Startup Award is an initiative by Startup India, DPIIT, to recognise exceptional startups across India, creating economic impact and larger societal impact. 
3. MAARG
The MAARG mentorship platform aims at facilitating intelligent matchmaking between mentors and startups across varied sectors at scale.
4. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an international organization, announced on 15th June, 2001, recognized the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in driving and diversifying economies. As the Chair of the SWG, headed by India, DPIIT holds the annual meetings of the SWG, along with conducting specialised activities like the SCO Startup Forum, to provide the necessary assistance for the development and sustainable growth of the startup ecosystem in the SCO Member States.
5. Startup India Investor Connect
Startup India Investor Connect serve as a dedicated platform that connects startups to investors, promotes entrepreneurship, and accelerates engagements across diverse sectors, functions, stages, geographies, and backgrounds, which is also the need of the ecosystem.

ACCESS TO NATIONAL FUNDING SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES
 

Government schemes can provide valuable support to startups at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from ideation and prototyping to early-stage development, scaling, market access and intellectual property protection.

Looking for the right Government scheme for your startup?

Explore the Startup India Government Schemes Playbook to identify programmes relevant to your business stage and requirements.

[View the Startup Schemes Playbook →]

STARTUP INCUBATORS IN INDIA: SCHEMES, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES

India's startup ecosystem has grown rapidly, but turning an innovative idea into a sustainable business requires more than just funding. Startups often need access to infrastructure, mentoring, industry networks, technical assistance and business guidance. This is where startup incubators play an important role.
The Government of India, along with various State Governments and government departments, has introduced several initiatives to strengthen incubation infrastructure.
Startup India's incubator schemes portal highlights programmes supported by organisations such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
 

Some key programmes include:
1. DST Technology Business Incubators (TBI)
2. BIRAC BioNEST
3. Atal Incubation Centres (AICs)
4. TIDE 2.0
Support for incubators is not limited to Central Government initiatives. Several States and Union Territories have introduced their own startup policies containing incentives for establishing and operating incubation centres.

Note: Scheme details, funding limits, eligibility criteria and government policies may be revised from time to time. Applicants should verify the latest information from the relevant official government portal before taking any action.

STARTUP INDIA SEED FUND SCHEME: A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR STARTUPS
 

For an early-stage startup, having a good business idea is only the beginning. Funding is often required to develop a prototype, test the product, validate the business model and enter the market. However, startups at this stage often face a funding gap. Investors may hesitate to invest before a startup has demonstrated its product or market potential, while banks may require financial history or security.

To address this early-stage funding gap, the Government of India introduced the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS). The scheme is implemented through selected incubators and aims to provide financial assistance to eligible startups for developing and commercialising innovative products and services.
The objective is to help startups reach a stage where they can subsequently raise funding from angel investors, venture capital funds, banks or other financial institutions.

Key Features of SISFS
1. Support Through Incubators
2. Sector-Agnostic Approach
3. Applications to Multiple Incubators

How Much Funding is Available?
The scheme provides support in two broad forms:

The funds should be used only for the approved purpose and should not be treated as unrestricted general business finance.

STARTUP INDIA INVESTOR CONNECT: A PLATFORM CONNECTING STARTUPS WITH INVESTORS

India’s startup ecosystem has grown rapidly over the last few years. While access to funding remains one of the important requirements for a startup to scale, finding the right investors and getting an opportunity to present a business idea can often be challenging. To address this gap, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Startup India initiative, launched Startup India Investor Connect.

It is a dedicated digital platform that aims to bring startups and investors onto a common platform.
For startups, raising capital is not simply about finding money. It is also about finding investors who understand the business, sector, growth plans and long-term vision. The platform is intended to make this interaction more structured and accessible.

According to Startup India, the platform enables startups to connect with investors, showcase their businesses and explore investment opportunities. It forms part of the wider Startup India ecosystem supporting startups at different stages of their journey. 

Note: Startups should check the current eligibility and participation requirements on the official Startup India platform before applying or participating in any specific programme or opportunity.

STARTUP INDIA FUND OF FUNDS 2.0: SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF INDIAN STARTUPS

India’s startup ecosystem has grown significantly over the last decade, creating a need for deeper and more specialised sources of venture capital. To strengthen access to such capital, the Government of India has introduced the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0) with a total corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore.

The scheme was notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on 13th April, 2026 and is designed to mobilise venture capital for startups while giving particular attention to deep technology, innovative manufacturing and early-growth businesses.
Importantly, the Government does not directly invest the Rs. 10,000 crore corpus into individual startups. Instead, the scheme contributes to the corpus of eligible SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). These AIFs then identify and invest in eligible startups through equity and equity-linked instruments.
This creates a multiplier effect, allowing government-backed capital to help mobilise additional private investment into the startup ecosystem.

Four Key Segments Covered
One of the important features of FoF 2.0 is its segmented approach. The scheme identifies four broad categories of AIFs that can receive support.
1. Deep Tech
2. Smaller AIFs or Micro VCs
3. Technology-Driven Innovative Manufacturing
4. Sector or Stage-Agnostic Startups

CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME FOR STARTUPS: SUPPORTING EASIER ACCESS TO DEBT FUNDING

For startups, access to timely finance can be just as important as having a strong business idea. While equity funding is one of the common sources of startup finance, debt can also play an important role in supporting working capital, expansion, technology investments and other business requirements. However, startups may find it difficult to obtain traditional loans because they may not have a long credit history or sufficient collateral.

To address this challenge, the Government of India introduced the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS). The scheme is designed to facilitate access to collateral-free debt funding for eligible startups by providing credit guarantee support to eligible lending and investment institutions.
It is a Government-backed mechanism that provides guarantee cover against eligible credit facilities extended to DPIIT-recognised startups.
 

Importantly, the guarantee is not provided directly to the startup. Instead, the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC), acting as the trustee, provides guarantee cover to eligible Member Institutions that extend credit to startups. This reduces a portion of the lender's risk and can encourage greater availability of debt finance to eligible businesses.

GEM STARTUP RUNWAY

GeM Startup Runway is an initiative of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) designed to provide startups with an opportunity to participate in government procurement. It enables eligible startups to showcase their innovative products and services on the GeM platform and offer them to Government buyers.

A key aspect of the GeM framework is the recognition of startups through their DPIIT verification. Therefore, obtaining DPIIT Startup Recognition can be relevant for startups seeking to access the procurement opportunities and startup-related facilities available through GeM.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion setup the Inter-Ministerial Board for validating Startups for granting tax-related benefits.

A DIPP-recognised startup shall be eligible to apply to the Inter-Ministerial Board for a full deduction on the profits and gains from the business. Provided the following conditions are fulfilled:

1. A private limited company or a limited liability partnership,
2. Incorporated on or after 1st April 2016 but before 1st April 2030, and
3. The startup is engaged in the innovation, development, or improvement of products, processes, or services or a scalable business model with a high potential for employment generation or wealth creation.

Section 80-IAC, Income Tax Act 1961

The provisions of Section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act, 1961 allow eligible startups a 100% profit-linked deduction at the option of the assessee subject, inter-alia, to the following conditions:

1. The deduction is available within a ten-year period beginning from the date of incorporation of the startup;
2. The eligibility to avail the benefit is from the date of approval of the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) of Certification; and
3. The eligible startup can avail benefit of Section 80-IAC within the period of ten years for any three consecutive assessment years in the period falling on or after the year in which the IMB Certification of eligible business is received by the startup.

DISCOVER STARTUP INDIA PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Startup India, an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), provides startups with access to a wide range of programmes, challenges, events and ecosystem opportunities designed to support innovation and business growth.
For startups looking to discover new opportunities, these programmes can be a useful way to connect with the wider startup ecosystem and explore initiatives relevant to their sector, stage and business objectives.
Explore Current Startup India Programs →

EXPAND BEYOND INDIA WITH STARTUP INDIA’S GLOBAL COLLABORATIONS

Indian startups are increasingly looking beyond domestic markets for customers, investors, partnerships and innovation opportunities. Startup India, under DPIIT, has developed international collaborations and startup bridges to facilitate global exposure and cross-border opportunities for Indian startups.
For startups planning international expansion, these programmes can serve as an additional avenue to explore global markets and build meaningful international connections.
Learn More:
Startup India – Global Collaborations →

STATE & UT STARTUP POLICIES

Explore the startup policies introduced by various States and Union Territories of India, including the incentives, support measures and ecosystem initiatives available for startups.
Explore State & UT Startup Policies on Startup India →