MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande Startups
A flagship grant program by MeitY and Deshpande Startups offering up to ₹10L to early-stage founders in Tier II/III cities, with mentorship and validation support.
- Funding amount
- ₹10L (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Deshpande Startups (NGO/Foundation)
- Application deadline
- Closed (25 Oct 2025)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The MeitY GENESIS EiR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence) Program is a flagship initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in partnership with Deshpande Startups. It provides financial assistance and mentorship to early-stage Indian startups, with a core goal of bolstering the tech ecosystem in Tier II and Tier III cities. The program helps innovators validate their ideas, build prototypes, and accelerate their journey from concept to a scalable venture.
Selected founders receive a grant of up to ₹10L along with dedicated support to navigate the early stages of startup building. The program is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs or early-stage founders who are committed to working full-time on their idea. By focusing on underserved cities, it aims to unlock potential outside major metros.
Highlights
- Grant of up to ₹10L for early-stage startups
- Focused on Tier II and Tier III cities to boost local tech ecosystems
- Partnership between MeitY and Deshpande Startups
- Open to aspiring entrepreneurs and DPIIT-registered founders (≤2 years old)
- Includes mentorship and support for idea validation and prototype building
- Indian citizen and full-time commitment required
Who can apply
To apply, you must be an Indian citizen. Your startup should be in the ideation, validation, or early stage of development and registered in a Tier II or Tier III city. You must either be an aspiring entrepreneur or a founder of a DPIIT-registered startup (typically not older than 2 years). Full-time commitment to working on the idea is expected.
MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande 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
The most recent application window for MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande Startups closed on 25 Oct 2025. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Selected entrepreneurs receive a grant of up to ₹10L to support ideation, validation, and prototype building. In addition to financial assistance, the program provides dedicated mentorship to help you refine your idea, build a sustainable business model, and prepare for growth. The program is designed to accelerate the journey from concept to a successful, scalable venture.
About the provider
MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande Startups is offered by Deshpande Startups, a non-profit foundation. It is delivered directly by Deshpande Startups as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande 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
MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande Startups is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding is offered?
The program offers a grant of up to ₹10L (₹10 lakhs).
What is the application deadline?
The deadline to apply is 25th October 2025.
Who is eligible to apply?
Indian citizens whose startup is in ideation, validation, or early stage and is registered in a Tier II or Tier III city. You must be an aspiring entrepreneur or a founder of a DPIIT-registered startup (typically ≤ 2 years old) and commit full-time to the venture.
What stage should my startup be in?
Your startup should be in the ideation, validation, or early stage of development.
Is DPIIT registration required?
DPIIT registration is mentioned as a typical requirement for founders who already have a registered startup. Aspiring entrepreneurs without a registered startup may also apply.
Does the program take equity?
No, the program provides a grant, which is non-dilutive. No equity is taken from your startup.
What documents are needed to apply?
The exact document list is not provided, but you will need to fill the application form linked on the program page. Typically, you may need to share details about your idea, team, and background.
How do I apply?
You can apply via the Google Form link provided on the program page: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyhAej_HbebydrIvJrbPu7uzFaUOkzW3R7MWvh2VocIY7XIw/viewform
Can startups from any industry apply?
The program does not specify industry restrictions. However, it is focused on tech startups that can benefit from the mentorship and validation support provided.
Who offers MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande Startups?
MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande Startups is offered by Deshpande Startups, a non-profit foundation. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
Alternatives to MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande Startups
Not sure MeitY GENESIS EiR Program at Deshpande Startups is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
Ask anything about eligibility, documents or the process — answered by the community.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.