Deadline Date: November 05, 2025
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the GENESIS – Pilot and Matching Fund initiative to empower Indian startups through financial support, partnerships, and market access opportunities aimed at fostering innovation-driven growth in the ICT and deep-tech sectors.
The focus of the programme is to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem by providing pilot funding and matching grants to eligible startups, encouraging collaboration with corporates and PSUs, and supporting ventures that demonstrate market readiness and scalability. The Pilot Component offers funding of up to ₹40 lakhs per startup to execute pilot projects in partnership with corporates, PSUs, or large enterprises, while the Matching Fund Component provides a 1:1 matching grant of up to ₹50 lakhs for startups that have raised external investment and are ready to scale their operations.
The Pilot Funding component is designed to help startups test and validate their solutions in real-world conditions through collaboration with established industry partners. Eligible corporate or PSU partners must have a minimum turnover of ₹75 crore in the last audited financial year and at least five years of operational history. Preference is given to government entities, PSUs, Fortune 500 companies, large corporates (Indian or global), and unicorn startups. Startups applying for this component must be DPIIT-registered and engaged in ICT-related domains such as IT, AI, electronic design and manufacturing, and deep-tech products. They must also have a minimum viable product or working prototype, a viable business plan, full-time founders or co-founders, and a confirmed pilot or purchase order from an eligible corporate or PSU partner.
The Matching Fund component focuses on scaling startups with validated solutions and proof of concept by facilitating investor linkages and market expansion. Eligible startups must be registered Indian private limited entities with at least 51% Indian ownership and be located in Tier-II or Tier-III cities. They must hold a valid DPIIT certificate and operate in technology-based sectors such as deep-tech, AI/ML, cybersecurity, IoT, blockchain, fintech, ed-tech, or health-tech. Applicants should have a market-ready product, preferably revenue-generating, and patents are considered an added advantage. The matching fund provides a 1:1 equity-based grant of up to ₹50 lakhs, corresponding to external funds raised from non-governmental sources. Startups previously supported under the TIDE 2.0 (Scale-up) or Samridh schemes are not eligible for this programme.
By providing targeted financial support and facilitating collaborations between startups and industry leaders, MeitY’s GENESIS initiative aims to accelerate innovation, promote inclusion of Tier-II and Tier-III cities, and strengthen India’s position as a global technology leader. The programme ensures that promising startups gain access to capital, mentorship, and networks necessary for sustainable growth and long-term success in the digital economy.
For more information, visit Central University of Jammu.
