Prototype Grant

The Prototype Grant, offered by the UP Electronics Corporation Ltd (UPLC), is a targeted grant programme for startups that need financial support to build their Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

This grant is designed for the critical phase between idea and market-ready product. Applicants must submit a well-defined prototype development plan that clearly lays out the technical approach, budget, and timeline. The programme aims to de-risk early-stage hardware and software product development for startups in Uttar Pradesh.

The grant provides funding of up to ₹5L to cover expenses related to prototype creation, such as materials, design, testing, and small-scale manufacturing. No equity is taken by the government – it is a pure grant. Startups must apply through the UP government's dedicated startup portal.

• Non-dilutive grant of up to ₹5L for building your MVP.
• Open to startups registered with DPIIT and StartinUP.
• No equity taken – 100% grant funding.
• Must submit a detailed prototype development plan with budget and timeline.
• Apply online via the UP government's startup portal.

To apply for the Prototype Grant, a startup must meet the following criteria:

• Registration: The startup must be registered with DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) under the Startup India initiative.
• State Registration: The startup must also be registered with StartinUP, the Uttar Pradesh government's startup platform.
• Entity Type: Typically, registered private limited companies, partnerships, LLPs, or other entities recognised as startups by DPIIT are eligible.
• Stage: Early-stage startups that have not yet launched a commercial product but have a clear prototype development plan.
• Location: Startups must be based in or registered in Uttar Pradesh (implied by the connection to StartinUP).
• Sector: No specific industry restriction is mentioned; it is open to all sectors that require prototyping.
• Founder Requirements: No specific founder eligibility criteria are provided beyond the startup's registration status.

Prototype Grant is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Prototype 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.

The Prototype Grant provides:

• Funding Amount: Up to ₹5L (₹5,00,000) as a grant, which is non-dilutive – no equity or repayment is required.
• Use of Funds: The grant can be used for all expenses related to prototype development, including materials, equipment, software licenses, design services, testing, and small-scale production.
• No Equity Taken: Since it is a grant, the government does not take any ownership stake in the startup.
• Support for MVP: Specifically aimed at helping startups create a functional Minimum Viable Product to test with early customers and attract further investment.

Prototype Grant is offered by UP Electronics Corporation Ltd (UPLC), 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.

The selection process is based on the quality of the prototype development plan submitted. While detailed stages are not provided, the key assessment criteria include:

• Evaluation of the Prototype Plan: The submitted plan must be well-defined, showing a clear path from current state to a working MVP.
• Budget and Timeline: The budget must be reasonable and aligned with the proposed activities, and the timeline must be realistic.
• Technical Feasibility: The startup's ability to execute the plan is assessed.
• Application Submission: All applications are submitted online through the StartinUP portal (https://startinup.up.gov.in/prototype-development).

Before you apply to Prototype 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.

Prototype Grant is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.