GENESIS Pilot 2.0

About

A MeitY Startup Hub funding call offers up to ₹40 lakh in equity-based pilot funding to DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated in Indian Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities to execute eligible real-world pilot projects with corporates, PSUs, government bodies or large enterprises.

Benefits

• 💸Pilot funding
  Up to ₹40 lakh per startup against eligible Pilot Purchase Orders or Work Orders, based on verified cost of delivering the pilot and subject to eligibility, verification and Expert Committee selection
• 📉Equity terms
  Equity allotted to the implementing agency on behalf of MSH is capped at 3% of fully diluted post-money shareholding
• 🚀Pilot deployment support
  Support to execute a real-world pilot with corporates, PSUs, government bodies or large enterprises and move toward market adoption, subject to an eligible PO/WO and selection
• 🧭Implementing-partner support
  Selected startups may receive mentorship, capacity-building, corporate and investor connections, infrastructure and technical support, and a 1:1 need assessment through the implementing incubator, subject to the partner’s offering

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: DPIIT-recognised startup incorporated in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city in India
• Mandatory: startup age of 1–5 years with Indian founders holding at least 51% ownership
• Mandatory: working MVP or prototype and at least one full-time founder or co-founder
• Mandatory: valid Pilot Purchase Order or Work Order of ₹1 lakh–₹1 crore from an eligible independent Pilot Partner, covering deployment of the startup’s own product
• Mandatory: cumulative revenue up to ₹1.5 crore
• Mandatory: prior government funding up to ₹40 lakh and prior private funding up to ₹1.5 crore
• Mandatory: only individual DPIIT-recognised startups may apply; consortium applications are not allowed
• Mandatory: Pilot Partner must be an eligible independent organisation such as a Government of India ministry, State Government department, PSU, Fortune 500 company or recognised unicorn, with more than ₹75 crore turnover in the last audited financial year and at least 5 years of operations
• Ineligible: beneficiaries of TIDE 2.0 (Scale-up), SAMRIDH, the GENESIS Investment Component, or an ongoing GENESIS EIR cohort
• Ineligible: startups without a valid and verifiable PO/WO

Participation Commitments

• Submit a complete application through the MSH application process and select a preferred incubator or Enabling Partner where the form provides that option
• Provide required documents including certificate of incorporation, DPIIT recognition, founder and team profiles, IP certificates if any, pitch deck and a copy of the valid PO/WO
• Shortlisted startups must present to the Expert Committee for final recommendation
• After approval, sign a tripartite agreement among the startup, Enabling Partner and corporate partner defining scope, deliverables, success benchmarks and disbursement schedule
• Complete equity transfer within 30 days of fund disbursal
• Submit regular progress and financial reports to MSH
• Use funds strictly for pilot implementation, including product refinement, deployment, testing and related activities
• Selection is expected to conclude within 30 days after the call closes, and fund disbursement may take 4–5 months from the Call of Application

Target Region

India: DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city; Indian founders must hold at least 51% ownership.

Target Sector

Semiconductors & Electronics, Telecommunications, Other