Emergent Ventures India by Mercatus Center

Emergent Ventures India is a fellowship and grant program run by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, a privately funded US research institution that studies how government policies affect the economy and promotes market-oriented solutions. The program is open to Indian applicants and is part of the larger global Emergent Ventures initiative launched in 2018.

Unlike typical startup grants, Emergent Ventures seeks out unconventional, high-risk ideas that could create entirely new ways of solving old problems — what the program calls 'zero to one' ideas. These are not incremental improvements but transformative concepts that have the potential to dramatically improve society. The goal is to support founders, researchers, and thinkers who are working on projects that advance prosperity, expand individual opportunity, promote liberty, and improve overall well-being.

Funds are given as grants, meaning they are non-dilutive — recipients keep 100% equity in their venture. Grant amounts are flexible and tailored to each project, ranging from small sums to significant awards. The program also looks favorably on ideas that have a clear path to revenue and can become self-sustaining quickly.

Beyond the financial support, being part of Emergent Ventures India connects founders to a network of like-minded individuals and the intellectual community around the Mercatus Center, providing mentorship and a supportive ecosystem to help change the trajectory of both the founder's life and their project.

• Equity-free grant — you keep full ownership of your venture.
• Open to individuals and teams aged 13+, from any background or stage (idea to revenue).
• Flexible grant amount, tailored to your project's needs (from modest to substantial).
• Rolling applications with decisions typically within one week.
• Access to the Mercatus Center's global network of innovators and thinkers.
• Specifically for Indian applicants targeting social improvement through zero-to-one ideas.

Emergent Ventures India is open to individuals aged 13 years or older. You can apply as an individual or as a team (with one point of contact). The program is inclusive and does not require any specific educational background, formal credentials, or institutional affiliation. It welcomes entrepreneurs, researchers, students, builders, writers, scientists, and policy thinkers from all backgrounds.

What matters most is that you have a scalable 'zero to one' idea — something that aims to meaningfully improve society in a novel way. The idea can be at any stage: from just an idea, to a product in development, to one that already has revenue. When filling out the application form, be sure to select 'India' from the drop-down menu labeled 'My Project Will Affect' to be considered for the India track.

Emergent Ventures India by Mercatus Center is open to startups at the idea, product and revenue stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India. Applicants should be registered as individual, private limited and llp.

Emergent Ventures India by Mercatus Center accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

The program provides project-specific financial support in the form of a grant. Because it is a grant, it is non-dilutive — you do not give up any equity in your venture. The amount is flexible and determined based on the unique needs and potential impact of your project; it can range from a modest sum to a substantial award.

Funds can be used for expenses directly related to advancing your proposed project and achieving its social-change objectives. The program also values a rapid path to revenue self-sufficiency, so while the grant is not repayable, having a plan to become financially sustainable is a plus.

In addition to the cash, recipients gain access to the Mercatus Center's intellectual network and ecosystem, which includes mentorship, connections, and a community of fellow innovators working on similarly ambitious ideas.

Emergent Ventures India by Mercatus Center is offered by Mercatus Center, George Mason University (USA), an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Mercatus Center, George Mason University (USA) as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are submitted via an online form on the Mercatus Center website. The core of the application is a proposal of up to 1,500 words. In your proposal, you should cover:

• Your personal story (who you are and why you care about this idea)
• A mainstream view you agree with (this is a unique prompt to understand your thinking)
• A detailed description of your idea, including the problem, your proposed solution, what makes it novel, and why now is the right time for it.

You may optionally include a ballpark budget that outlines anticipated revenue and expenses, as well as information about your time commitment, potential partners, and supporters. Decisions are typically communicated within one week of submission.

Before you apply to Emergent Ventures India by Mercatus Center, keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:

• Certificate of incorporation showing your startup is registered as individual and private limited
• 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.

Emergent Ventures India by Mercatus Center is best suited for idea, product and revenue-stage startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.