GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups
MeitY Startup Hub's GENESIS Investment 2.0 backs DPIIT-registered tech startups in Tier II and Tier III cities with a 1:1 matching equity investment of up to ₹50 lakh. Apply by 24 September 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹50L (equity)
- Funding type
- Equity
- Provider
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) (Government)
- Application deadline
- Closes in 8d (24 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
GENESIS Investment 2.0 is an equity funding route run by MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), the startup-facing arm of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Its defining feature is that government money arrives alongside private money: a startup that has already closed a round with a qualifying private investor can receive an equity investment capped at ₹50 lakh, matched 1:1 against the capital it has already raised.
The programme sits under the wider Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) scheme, and this component is built entirely around that matching structure. In practice, it doubles the weight of an existing private cheque, giving a young company a stronger balance sheet at the moment it needs it most — the stretch where a business moves from having found product-market fit towards scaling up.
The second half of the design is geography. GENESIS Investment 2.0 is reserved for technology startups registered in Tier II and Tier III cities, part of a deliberate push to spread India's innovation activity beyond the metros and to draw on talent pools in smaller cities.
Capital is not the only output. Selected startups are brought into closer contact with the investor community around the scheme, which matters for the next fundraise as much as for this one, and opens pathways to strategic partners and market opportunities.
Applications go through the MeitY Startup Hub portal. The last date to apply is 24 September 2026.
Highlights
- Equity investment of up to ₹50 lakh, matched 1:1 against private capital
- Reserved for startups registered in Tier II and Tier III cities
- Valid DPIIT Startup India certificate is mandatory
- Market-ready tech product required; service platforms are not selected
- Government funding and FDI cannot be counted as the matching base
- Last date to apply: 24 September 2026
Who can apply
GENESIS Investment 2.0 is open to a fairly specific kind of company, so it is worth running through this checklist before starting the form.
- Entity type: a registered Indian Private Limited Company with at least 51% Indian ownership.
- Location: the company must be registered in a Tier-II or Tier-III city.
- DPIIT registration: a valid Startup India DPIIT certificate is mandatory.
- What you build: a technology-based product or software in a domain promoted by MeitY. Service platforms are explicitly not selected.
- Stage: you need a market-ready product. Having revenue is preferred, though it is not a hard requirement.
- Prior funding: you must have already raised money from a qualifying external or private investor, since that is what gets matched. Government funding and FDI do not count towards the matching base.
- Legal standing: the company must not be involved in any legal disputes.
- Exclusions: startups earlier supported under TIDE 2.0 (Scale up) or SAMRIDH, or under GENESIS EIR before graduation, are not eligible.
GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Applications for GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups are open and the current deadline is Closes in 8d (24 Sept 2026). Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
The core support is capital, and it comes as an equity investment rather than a grant or a loan.
- Matching equity of up to ₹50 lakh (INR 5,000,000): the investment is matched 1:1 against qualifying private or external capital the startup has already brought in.
- No repayment burden: the money is equity, not debt, so there is nothing to pay back.
- Investor access: beneficiaries are connected to a wider network of investors, which strengthens future fundraising prospects.
- Networking and partnerships: engagement with the scheme ecosystem opens doors to strategic partnerships and market access.
- Growth capital: the funds can be deployed for product development, entering new markets and expanding operations.
For a startup that has just convinced a private backer to write a cheque, the value is straightforward — the existing round is effectively doubled, reinforcing the capital base at exactly the point where the business is trying to scale.
About the provider
GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups is offered by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), a government body. As a government-backed equity, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Applications move through several distinct stages before any money is released.
- Eligibility screening: every submission is checked against the eligibility rules — legal entity type, Indian ownership, the city tier where the company is registered, DPIIT certification and whether the product is market-ready. Evidence of prior investment from a qualifying private source is also verified here.
- Committee evaluation: a selection committee, drawn from MeitY Startup Hub and, where needed, external industry and investment specialists, assesses the business proposition, the depth of technological innovation, market potential and financial viability. Financial performance, the technology roadmap and the proposed use of the matching funds may all come under detailed review.
- Presentation or interview: shortlisted startups may be invited to present their case or attend an interview, so they can expand on the application and engage directly with the committee.
- Compliance and final approval: the final decision rests on comprehensive verification of everything submitted, along with strategic alignment with the scheme's objective of backing technology startups in Tier II and Tier III cities. The quantum of support is confirmed at this stage.
- Disbursement: once approved, the matching investment is released under the scheme's terms and conditions, typically linked to verification of the private capital the startup has raised.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups, 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.
Who this is best for
GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups is best suited for startups in India seeking an equity investment of ₹50L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding can a startup receive through GENESIS Investment 2.0?
A selected startup can receive an equity investment of up to ₹50 lakh (INR 5,000,000). The amount is matched 1:1 against qualifying external or private capital the startup has already raised, so the private cheque is effectively doubled rather than replaced.
What is the application deadline?
The last date to apply is 24 September 2026. Applications are submitted through the official MeitY Startup Hub portal.
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be a registered Indian Private Limited Company with at least 51% Indian ownership, registered in a Tier-II or Tier-III city, holding a valid DPIIT Startup India certificate. The company should be building a technology-based product or software in a domain promoted by MeitY, must have a market-ready product, and must already have raised money from a qualifying external or private investor. Startups caught up in legal disputes are not eligible.
Does the programme take equity in my company?
Yes. GENESIS Investment 2.0 is structured as an equity investment, not a grant or a loan, so the capital comes in against a stake in the company rather than as repayable debt. It is a matching investment, which means it is made alongside capital you have already raised privately.
Which earlier funding counts towards the matching base?
Only investment from a qualifying external or private investor is counted. Government funding and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are not treated as part of the matching base, so a startup whose only backing so far is government money would not qualify on that criterion.
Is a DPIIT certificate necessary?
Yes, a valid DPIIT Startup India certificate is mandatory, along with proof of registration as an Indian Private Limited Company in a Tier-II or Tier-III city. Your DPIIT certificate is one of the documents you upload with the application.
Can service-based platforms apply?
No. The programme is meant for startups working on technology-based products or software in MeitY-promoted domains, and service platforms are explicitly not selected.
I have already received support under TIDE 2.0, SAMRIDH or GENESIS EIR. Can I still apply?
No. Startups previously supported under TIDE 2.0 (Scale up) or SAMRIDH, or under GENESIS EIR before graduation, are excluded from GENESIS Investment 2.0.
What stage should my startup be at?
You need a market-ready product. Revenue generation is preferred but is not a hard requirement, so a product in the market without substantial revenue can still be considered. Idea-stage or pre-product startups are not eligible.
What documents and information do I need to apply?
The application form asks for your startup profile, business model, technology stack, current funding and investment status, financial performance and how you plan to use the matching funds. Supporting documents to upload include proof of company registration, your DPIIT certificate, financial statements and details of prior external investments.
How are applications evaluated?
Submissions are first screened for strict compliance with the eligibility criteria. Those that clear screening go to a selection committee, which looks at business potential, technological innovation, market readiness and impact potential, and may review your financials, technology roadmap and proposed use of funds. Shortlisted startups may be asked to present or attend an interview, and final approval depends on full verification and alignment with the GENESIS scheme's objectives.
Who offers GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups?
GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups is offered by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), a government body. It is provided as an investment.
How do I apply for GENESIS Investment 2.0 — ₹50L Matching Equity for Tier II & III Startups?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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