Market Support Scheme, Goa — 50% Exhibition Rent Reimbursement

The Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa, runs this subsidy as one of the market-facing measures under the state's Information Technology Policy Schemes. Rather than taking a stake in a company, the state simply absorbs a specific cost of doing business: the rent an IT unit pays for floor space at a trade exhibition.

Officially named the Market Support Scheme for Smaller Business Units, it has been in place since 2018. The offer is narrow and specific — half of the exhibition rental amount is paid back, and the eligible area is capped at 9 square metres. Exhibitions held inside India and those held abroad both count.

For a smaller technology company, booking a stall is one of the more expensive routes to new customers. Covering part of that bill lets Goan IT firms put their products in front of buyers, meet potential partners and test unfamiliar markets without bearing the whole cost alone.

The scheme also serves a wider state objective: positioning Goa as a place with the geography and the talent pool that IT units look for when deciding where to invest and expand.

Everything is handled online through the Goa Online portal. The single timing rule worth memorising is that pre-approval has to be secured before the event — an application must go in 60 days ahead of the exhibition you plan to attend.

• 50% of exhibition stall rent reimbursed to eligible IT units
• Reimbursement capped at 9 square metres of exhibition space
• Covers exhibitions held in India as well as abroad
• Open to both new and existing IT units operating in Goa
• Pre-approval needed 60 days before the exhibition
• Applications accepted year-round through the Goa Online portal

Who can apply

• IT units with operations in Goa — both newly established businesses and already-running ones qualify.
• The applicant must be structured as a proprietorship firm, a private limited company, a public limited company, a registered partnership firm, or a limited liability partnership.
• The unit's bank account — or those of its partners or directors — must be linked to Aadhaar.
• Approval from the Committee has to be obtained before the exhibition. Attending first and claiming later does not work.

There is no bar on how young a business is: a freshly registered Goan IT unit stands on the same footing as an established one, provided the entity type, Aadhaar-linked banking and pre-approval conditions are all met.

Market Support Scheme, Goa — 50% Exhibition Rent Reimbursement is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Market Support Scheme, Goa — 50% Exhibition Rent Reimbursement 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.

What the reimbursement covers

• 50% of the amount you pay to rent exhibition space, returned to you as a cash reimbursement.
• The claim is limited to 9 square metres of exhibition area. Costs for space booked beyond that limit are not covered.
• The exhibition may be held in India or overseas — both are eligible.

How the money reaches you

You pay for your stall first and claim afterwards. Claims can be filed on a quarterly, half-yearly or annual basis, once the relevant expenditure has been incurred.

This is a subsidy, so there is nothing to repay and no equity or ownership stake is given up in return. The one condition attached to the money is that the Committee's approval was taken before you attended the event.

Market Support Scheme, Goa — 50% Exhibition Rent Reimbursement is offered by Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa, a government body. As a government-backed subsidy, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.

Processing begins on the date your application is received — referred to below as D.

• Initial scrutiny (up to 30 days, D+30): the department examines the application and the supporting documents.
• Empowered Committee review (around D+60): the scrutinised application is placed before the Empowered Committee, which takes the approval decision.
• Outcome and disbursement (up to D+90): within roughly 90 days of receipt, the applicant is told the result through a sanction order or a regret letter, and the reimbursement is released where approved.

Before you apply to Market Support Scheme, Goa — 50% Exhibition Rent Reimbursement, 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.