Jharkhand Startup Policy: Marketing Assistance Grant

The Jharkhand Startup Policy: Marketing Assistance Grant is a non-dilutive, one-time financial support of up to ₹10 Lakh offered by the Department of IT and E-Governance, Government of Jharkhand. The grant is part of the 'Startup Jharkhand' initiative, aimed at helping early-stage businesses overcome market entry barriers, build their brand, and accelerate growth. It covers a wide range of marketing activities such as brand development, digital and traditional advertising, trade show participation, public relations, and customer acquisition campaigns. The funds can be used for professional fees, ad spending, event logistics, and lead generation. Eligible startups must be registered and operating in Jharkhand, with an annual turnover below ₹25 Crore, incorporation less than 5 years prior, and no more than 50 employees. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Startup Jharkhand online portal.

• Grant amounts can cover up to ₹10 Lakh and are non-dilutive – no equity is taken.
• Eligible for startups in Jharkhand with turnover up to ₹25 Crore and age up to 5 years.
• Funds can be used for brand development, advertising (online & offline), events, PR, and customer acquisition.
• Rolling applications with no fixed deadline – apply through the Startup Jharkhand portal.
• No sector restrictions: any industry can apply.
• No requirement for DPIIT or MSME registration stated in the eligibility.

To qualify for the grant, startups must meet all of these criteria:

• Registered and operational in Jharkhand: The startup must have a clear physical presence and business operations within the state.
• Annual turnover below ₹25 Crore: This threshold ensures the grant supports small and growing enterprises rather than large companies.
• Less than 5 years old: The startup must be incorporated fewer than 5 years before the date of application.
• Maximum 50 employees: The startup must have no more than 50 employees at the time of application.
• Comprehensive marketing plan required: The application must include a detailed marketing proposal with a budget breakdown, expected outcomes, and key performance indicators.

The grant is open to startups at various stages including idea, product, revenue, and profitable stages. There are no restrictions on industry or entity type, and neither DPIIT nor MSME registration is explicitly required. Additionally, there are no specific founder requirements (e.g., age or gender) for eligibility.

Jharkhand Startup Policy: Marketing Assistance Grant is open to startups at the idea, product, revenue and profitable stage. The programme is targeted at startups registered in Jharkhand.

Jharkhand Startup Policy: Marketing Assistance Grant 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.

This benefit offers a one-time, non-dilutive grant of up to ₹10 Lakh to support marketing and brand-building activities. The funds can be used for:

• Brand development and professional fees for brand design.
• Advertising across digital channels (SEO, SEM, social media) and traditional media (print, radio, outdoor).
• Public relations campaigns.
• Participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, conferences, and industry events – including stall fees, travel, and material production.
• Customer acquisition and lead generation strategies.

This grant is designed to help startups reduce market access barriers, enhance visibility, and strengthen their competitive position.

Jharkhand Startup Policy: Marketing Assistance Grant is offered by Department of IT and E-Governance, Government of Jharkhand, a government body. As a government-backed grant, 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.

Applications are reviewed by an independent committee appointed by the department. The committee evaluates each application based on:

• Viability and strategic alignment: The marketing plan must demonstrate a clear strategy that aligns with the startup's goals.
• Potential impact: Expected outcomes such as customer acquisition, brand awareness, and sales growth are considered.
• Eligibility: Verification of all criteria including location, turnover, age, and employee count.

The committee's decision is final and binding.

Before you apply to Jharkhand Startup Policy: Marketing Assistance Grant, 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.

Jharkhand Startup Policy: Marketing Assistance Grant is best suited for idea, product, revenue and profitable-stage startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.