Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme

The Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme is a key initiative launched by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS). Its primary goal is to empower and support women-led startups operating within the state of Maharashtra.

This program extends financial assistance in the form of direct grants to innovative startups, specifically those founded and led by women entrepreneurs. It targets ventures ranging from early to growth stages, aiming to foster inclusive entrepreneurship and promote businesses driven by innovation.

By providing non-dilutive funding, the scheme enables recipient startups to enhance product development, expand their operational capabilities, and advance their ideas towards the next phase of growth. This support also contributes significantly to strengthening Maharashtra's overall innovation ecosystem.

• Grants ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹25 lakhs.
• Specifically for women-led startups in Maharashtra.
• Requires DPIIT recognition.
• Women founders must hold over 51% equity.
• Application deadline: February 15, 2026.
• Provides non-dilutive grant funding.

To be considered for the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme, applicants must meet several specific criteria:

• The startup must hold DPIIT recognition and be formally registered within the state of Maharashtra.
• Women founders are required to collectively own more than a 51% equity stake in the company.
• The startup needs to have been operational for a period exceeding one year.
• Registration with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) must have occurred before 20th November 2024.
• The startup's annual revenue should fall within the range of ₹10 lakhs and ₹1 crore.
• Applicants must not have previously received any other financial grant from the Government of Maharashtra for the same project.
• The startup must demonstrate clear innovation and possess strong potential for scalable growth.

Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme closed on 15 Feb 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

The Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme provides crucial financial support to eligible women-led startups. Recipients benefit from direct grant funding, which is entirely non-dilutive, meaning founders retain full equity in their companies.

This funding is designed to help startups strengthen their product development efforts, facilitate the expansion of their operations, and enable them to advance their innovative ideas to the next stage of growth. The grants are intended to provide a significant boost to women entrepreneurs, helping them scale their ventures sustainably.

Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme is offered by Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS), 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 application process for the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme begins with applicants submitting their details through the official Maharashtra State Innovation Society application portal.

Startups are required to provide comprehensive information about their company and founders via the online form. This includes details related to their incorporation, DPIIT recognition status, the company's shareholding pattern, and their revenue figures. Supporting documents relevant to these details may also be requested during the application submission.

Once submitted, all applications undergo a thorough evaluation and assessment by a designated committee. Startups that are shortlisted based on this assessment will be contacted by the authorities for further communication and to proceed with the grant processing.

Before you apply to Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme, 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.

Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1L – ₹25L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.