Future Stars U25 Grant at IKP Knowledge Park

IKP Knowledge Park has launched the Future Stars U25 Grant, a targeted initiative to back five remarkable early-stage startups whose founders are under 25 years old. The program is designed to help young innovators move their ideas from concept to reality, bridging the gap between ideation and early growth. Each selected startup receives a grant of up to ₹5 lakh, along with personalised mentorship and access to IKP's extensive network of industry experts and resources. The focus is on ideas that can future-proof India, especially in specified areas of interest. This grant is non-dilutive, meaning founders give up no equity.

• Grant of up to ₹5L with no equity taken.
• Open only to founders under 25 years of age.
• Supports five early-stage startups per cycle.
• Includes mentorship and access to IKP's network.
• Focus on ideas that can 'Future-Proof India.'

To apply, founders must be under 25 years of age at the time of submission. The startup should be in its early stage, with an innovative idea or prototype. Your idea must align with one of IKP's specified areas of interest or contribute to 'Future-Proof India.' There are no restrictions on industry, state, or entity type, and DPIIT or MSME registration is not required. The program is open to both registered companies and pre-registration teams with a strong concept.

Future Stars U25 Grant at IKP Knowledge Park is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for Future Stars U25 Grant at IKP Knowledge Park closed on 21 Sept 2025. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Selected startups receive a grant of up to ₹5 lakh, which can be used for product development, prototyping, hiring, or other business expenses. Additionally, winners get tailored mentorship from IKP's experts and access to a wide network of potential partners, investors, and industry leaders. The grant does not require any equity in return.

Future Stars U25 Grant at IKP Knowledge Park is offered by IKP Knowledge Park, a startup incubator. It is delivered directly by IKP Knowledge Park as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are reviewed by IKP Knowledge Park's selection committee based on innovativeness, feasibility, and alignment with the program's themes. Shortlisted teams may be invited for an interview or pitch presentation. Final five winners are chosen and announced by the deadline.

Before you apply to Future Stars U25 Grant at IKP Knowledge Park, 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.

Future Stars U25 Grant at IKP Knowledge Park 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.