Maharashtra Tech R&D Incentives — ₹10 Cr Import Substitution Subsidy

A reimbursement scheme run by the Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, that offsets part of what a business spends on building its own technology — with the stated aim of lowering India's dependence on imported goods.

The programme sits inside the Maharashtra Industries Investment and Services Policy 2025, where it is formally titled the Technology and R&D Incentives (Import Substitution) scheme. Its purpose is to strengthen domestic technical know-how: the state shares the cost of research work, technology transfer and intellectual property activity carried out by units that are driving import substitution inside Maharashtra.

The money is meaningful for a state-level incentive. A qualifying unit can be reimbursed up to 20% of its eligible R&D and technology transfer spend, subject to a maximum of ₹10 crore. Because this is a reimbursement rather than an investment, no equity or ownership is given up.

There is no closing date. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the MAITRI portal, which also handles the documentation and review process.

• Up to ₹10 crore back on R&D and technology transfer spend
• 20% reimbursement rate on eligible costs
• Rolling applications — no fixed deadline
• IP registration costs covered: patents, copyrights, trademarks, GI
• For units in Maharashtra working on import substitution
• Applied for through the MAITRI portal

The published eligibility bar is broad: the scheme is meant for eligible units that are promoting import substitution and are operating within Maharashtra.

• Location: the unit must be based in Maharashtra.
• Purpose: its work must contribute to import substitution — developing indigenous products or technology capable of replacing goods brought in from outside.
• Entity type: the policy speaks of "eligible units", which points to legally incorporated businesses; incorporation documents form part of the application pack.
• Registration: MSME or DPIIT certificates are to be submitted where applicable. Neither is stated as a mandatory condition in the scheme text, though holding them may matter under the wider policy.
• Sector, stage and founder criteria: no specific industries, funding stages or founder requirements are listed in the published terms.

Claims also need to fall within the guidelines laid down in the Maharashtra Industries Investment and Services Policy 2025.

Maharashtra Tech R&D Incentives — ₹10 Cr Import Substitution Subsidy is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Maharashtra Tech R&D Incentives — ₹10 Cr Import Substitution Subsidy 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 support is a cash reimbursement on innovation spend:

• Up to 20% of eligible R&D and technology transfer costs, paid back to the unit.
• ₹10 crore maximum per eligible unit.
• Designing and prototyping expenditure is covered.
• Intellectual property registration is covered — patents, copyrights, trademarks and geographical indications (GI).

The idea is to take some of the weight off innovation spending so a business can push harder on building domestic alternatives to imported goods. Alongside the cash, the scheme works towards stronger IP protection and better market competitiveness for the units it backs.

This is a subsidy payout, not a loan or an equity investment — the unit does not surrender any shareholding to receive it.

Maharashtra Tech R&D Incentives — ₹10 Cr Import Substitution Subsidy is offered by Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, a government body. As a government-backed subsidy, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.

Applications move through the MAITRI portal and are assessed by the state machinery.

• Initial screening — the submission is checked for completeness and basic eligibility under the Maharashtra Industries Investment and Services Policy 2025.
• Detailed assessment — supporting invoices, cost records and intellectual property registration documents are examined, together with the technical merit of the R&D and technology transfer work and the financial claims made.
• Committee review — a committee from the relevant state industrial department evaluates the technical and financial case, including how genuinely the activity contributes to import substitution.
• Approval and disbursement — once approved, the reimbursement is released.

The entire exercise rests on evidence: claims must line up with the policy guidelines and be backed by proper documentation.

Before you apply to Maharashtra Tech R&D Incentives — ₹10 Cr Import Substitution Subsidy, 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.

Maharashtra Tech R&D Incentives — ₹10 Cr Import Substitution Subsidy is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.