Government of India

The Government of India runs Startup India, an initiative launched in 2016 under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Through it, the central government extends funding, tax benefits, regulatory simplification and mentorship to recognised startups nationwide. Among its programmes are the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), the Fund of Funds for Startups managed through SIDBI, and sector-specific schemes operated by ministries including MeitY, DST, BIRAC and the Ministry of MSME.

Outside Startup India, the central government finances Technology Innovation Hubs at IITs under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. It also runs the ATAL Innovation Mission, which covers school-level tinkering labs and incubators, and backs the NIDHI programme for incubator development. Several departments operate grant and equity-free funding programmes aimed at particular sectors, among them agriculture, biotechnology, defense and clean energy.

Startups throughout India, at every stage from student innovators to growth-stage companies, can benefit. Those recognised by DPIIT receive tax exemptions, simplified compliance, public procurement benefits, and self-certification under labour and environmental laws.