Central scheme · Startup funding
The Department of Science & Technology's NIDHI Seed Support System funds proof-of-concept, prototype, product trials and market entry for technology startups, through the incubator you are admitted to.
Is scheme mein kya milta hai
Amount
Paisa incubator ke through aata hai, aur mostly loan ya equity-linked form mein.
| Component | Amount / limit |
|---|---|
| Typical seed support | About ₹25 lakh per startup |
| Maximum (exceptional cases) | Up to ₹1 crore |
| Mode | Loan, equity or equity-linked instrument decided by the incubator |
| Pool available to each incubator | Up to ₹10 crore from DST, released in rounds |
| Permitted uses | Proof of concept, prototype, product trials, market entry, commercialisation |
Eligibility
Roles
| You | Build PoC, present to the committee, deliver milestones. |
| CGA | Incubator shortlisting, business plan, projections, pitch preparation, term-sheet and agreement review, ROC compliance. |
| Incubator (TBI/STEP) | Admits you, screens the application, disburses and monitors funds. |
| Seed Support Management Committee | Approves or rejects the seed support and sets terms. |
Timing
CGA ka process
We shortlist DST-supported incubators whose sector focus matches your product.
CA-prepared projections, fund-utilisation plan and milestone schedule.
Deck and Q&A preparation for the Seed Support Management Committee.
Our legal team reviews the loan/equity terms, repayment and dilution before you sign.
Step by step
Timeline
| Stage | Typical time | Kaun karta hai |
|---|---|---|
| Incubator shortlisting and application | 2 to 4 weeks | CGA + you |
| Incubation admission and agreement | 2 to 6 weeks | Incubator |
| Seed application, business plan and projections | 2 to 3 weeks | CGA |
| Screening and committee presentation | 2 to 8 weeks (depends on meeting schedule) | Incubator committee |
| Term sheet and legal documentation | 2 to 4 weeks | CGA legal + incubator |
| First tranche release | 1 to 3 weeks after documentation | Incubator |
| Remaining tranches | Over 12 to 24 months on milestones | Incubator |
Total: Typically 3 to 6 months from incubator application to first tranche.
Yeh typical ranges hain. Committee meeting ki dates, call windows aur queries ke rounds se time kam ya zyada ho sakta hai.
Documents
Costs
After approval
Avoid
Zaroori
This is not a free grant. Funds come as loan, equity or equity-linked instruments on terms set by the incubator.
You must be incubated first; you cannot apply to DST directly.
Each startup gets NIDHI seed support only once.
No. About ₹25 lakh is the normal level. Exceptionally deserving startups can be considered for up to ₹1 crore. See the higher support page.
Most incubators prefer or require it. We usually file it in parallel.
No. The incubator decides the instrument; NIDHI-SSS is not a pure grant.
Set by the incubator in the agreement; we review it before you sign.
It is meant for technology-driven startups.
Aur bhi
CGA eligibility review, documentation, filing aur compliance support deta hai. Recognition, grant, loan ya certificate ka sanction sirf implementing ministry, state department ya incubator karta hai; CGA approval ya amount ki guarantee nahi deta. Scheme limits latest official guidelines ke hisaab se badal sakti hain.
Company ka type, incorporation date, state aur product bata dijiye. Hum bata denge ki yeh scheme fit hai ya koi aur behtar rahegi. Iske liye koi charge nahi.