ARISE 2026 — Pusa Krishi Agri-startup Incubation

The ARISE 2026 program is a significant initiative by Pusa Krishi, the agri-startup incubation center of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). This program is designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within India's vital agricultural sector. It provides crucial non-dilutive financial support and comprehensive incubation services to early-stage startups.

ARISE 2026 specifically targets founders who are developing innovative solutions in agriculture, food processing, and rural development. By offering grants rather than equity, the program aims to empower promising ventures without requiring them to dilute their ownership at a critical early stage. This support helps agri-startups transition their ideas and prototypes into viable products and services, contributing to the growth and modernization of Indian agriculture.

• Equity-free grant-in-aid up to ₹5 lakh.
• Open to idea or prototype-stage agri-startup founders.
• Focus on agriculture, food, and rural innovation.
• Incubation support and mentorship from Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI.
• Company registration not mandatory at application stage.
• Application deadline: May 17, 2026.

This program is open to early-stage founders who are currently at the idea or prototype stage of their startup journey. Applicants must be focused on innovation within the agriculture, food, or rural sectors.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• The applicant must be the actual founder of the startup.
• The founder's name on the application must precisely match their Aadhaar details.
• Company registration is not mandatory at the time of application, making it accessible for very nascent ventures.
• Applications must be submitted directly by the founder; third-party submissions are strictly not permitted.

ARISE 2026 — Pusa Krishi Agri-startup Incubation is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for ARISE 2026 — Pusa Krishi Agri-startup Incubation closed on 17 May 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Selected founders for the ARISE 2026 program receive an equity-free grant-in-aid of up to ₹5 lakh. This financial assistance is non-dilutive, meaning Pusa Krishi does not take any ownership stake in the recipient startup. The grant funds are typically disbursed in milestones, aligning with the startup's developmental progress.

Beyond the financial support, participants gain access to a robust ecosystem designed to accelerate their growth:

• Mentorship from Pusa Krishi experts who provide guidance on business development, technology, and market strategies.
• Direct access to scientists from ICAR-IARI, offering invaluable technical expertise and research support.
• Utilization of incubation infrastructure located at the Pusa campus, providing a conducive environment for innovation and development.

ARISE 2026 — Pusa Krishi Agri-startup Incubation is offered by Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

The selection process for ARISE 2026 begins with the submission of a detailed pitch. Applicants are required to download and utilize the official Pusa Krishi presentation template to prepare their pitch. This presentation must be saved with a specific naming convention, typically [Company Name]_ARISE2026.

The completed presentation is then attached to the application form, which must be submitted through the Pusa Krishi accubate portal before the specified deadline. Following the initial submission, shortlisted founders will proceed to an evaluation stage conducted by Pusa Krishi. The final selection of awardees is based on the recommendation of a committee.

Before you apply to ARISE 2026 — Pusa Krishi Agri-startup Incubation, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

ARISE 2026 — Pusa Krishi Agri-startup Incubation is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.