Startup India Seed Fund Scheme- For Startups

Seed Funds to an eligible startup by the incubator shall be disbursed as follows:

₹20.0 L

1. Up to ₹20 Lakhs as a grant for validation of Proof of Concept, prototype development, or product trials. The grant shall be disbursed in milestone-based installments. These milestones can be related to the development of prototypes, product testing, building a product ready for market launch, etc.

₹50.0 L

1. Up to ₹50 Lakhs of investment for market entry, commercialization, or scaling up through convertible debentures or debt or debt-linked instruments.

1. Seed funds shall strictly not be used by startups for the creation of any facilities and shall be utilized for the purpose it has been granted for.

Note 01: Not more than 20% of the total grant to an incubator shall be given as grants to start-ups by the incubator. The rate of interest (as defined under GFR) on unutilized funds available with the incubator would also be taken into account and adjusted at the time of the next release by DPIIT.

Note 02: For startups being supported through convertible debentures or debt, or debt-linked instruments, funds shall be provided at a rate of interest of not more than the prevailing repo rate. The tenure should be fixed at the time of sanctioning the loan by the incubator, which shall be not more than 60 months (5 years). A moratorium of up to 12 months may be provided for the startups. Because of the early stage of the startups, this shall be unsecured and no guarantee from the promoter or third party will be required.

Note 03: The incubator shall execute a legal agreement with the selected startups before the release of the first installment. The incubators shall ensure that the necessary terms and conditions, including milestones, related to the Seed Fund are detailed in the agreement.

Note 04: Subsequent disbursement would be linked to the achievement of previously specified milestones as per agreement between the startup and incubator.

Note 05: Startups will receive the funds in their company bank accounts.

Note 06: For grants, the first installment to any selected startup shall be released not more than 60 days from receipt of the application from the startup. The startup shall submit the interim progress update and utilization certificate to initiate the release of subsequent installments of the grant.

Note 07: Startup shall submit a final report and audited utilization certificate at the end of the project duration. For failed ventures, the entrepreneur will share his/her learnings and the reasons for failure in the report and submit this along with the utilization certificate for the fund amount.

Note 08: The incubator or any of its staff members shall not charge any fee in cash or in kind from applicants or beneficiaries under the scheme for any process of selection, disbursement, incubation, or monitoring.

Note 09: A grievance cell shall be set up at DPIIT for the scheme to address issues of applicants, such as delayed evaluation of applications, delayed disbursements by incubators, etc.