Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026

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Quick answer

Bilateral India-Finland grant for sustainable energy, digital tech, and microelectronics R&D projects.

Funding amount
₹2.5Cr (grant)
Funding type
Grant
Provider
Technology Development Board (TDB) (Government)
Application deadline
28 Aug 2026
Eligible stage
Product · Revenue
Location
Open to startups registered in India

Overview

The Technology Development Board (TDB), operating under India's Department of Science & Technology, has teamed up with Business Finland to launch the India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026. This grant program supports collaborative research and development projects between Indian and Finnish companies, aiming to bring new products, processes, or services with strong commercial potential to the market.

Indian companies can receive grant funding of up to ₹2.5 crore per project, covering a maximum of half the total Indian project cost. The grant is disbursed on a reimbursement basis for expenses already incurred. The focus is on deep-tech ventures in three strategic areas: sustainable energy, advanced digital technologies, and microelectronics and power electronics. By pooling expertise from both countries, the program seeks to speed up product development and help innovations reach global markets faster.

Highlights

  • Grant up to ₹2.5 crore per project (reimbursement basis, max 50% of Indian project cost).
  • Mandatory collaboration with a Finnish company registered in Finland.
  • Focus on sustainable energy, advanced digital technologies, and microelectronics & power electronics.
  • Open to for-profit private limited companies with ≥51% Indian ownership.
  • Single-phase joint application with consortium agreement required.

Who can apply

Eligibility is limited to for-profit private limited companies registered in India under the Companies Act of 1956 or 2013. The company must have its headquarters and main operations in India, with at least 51% of its ownership held by Indian citizens. The applicant must act as the Indian Project Lead (IPL) throughout the collaboration. A mandatory requirement is a bilateral R&D partnership with a company registered in Finland; applications without such a partner will not be considered. The following entity types are explicitly excluded: Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), sole proprietorships, One Person Companies (OPCs), and traditional partnership firms.

Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is open to startups at the product, revenue and profitable stage working in climate energy ev, deeptech electronics robotics and ai saas enterprise. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India. Applicants should be registered as private limited.

productrevenueprofitableclimate energy evdeeptech electronics roboticsai saas enterprise
Eligible stage
Product · Revenue
Location
Open to startups registered in India
Entity type
Private Limited

Deadline & timing

Applications for Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 are open and the current deadline is 28 Aug 2026. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.

What the funding covers

The grant provides up to ₹2.5 crore per project, capped at 50% of the total Indian project cost, and is paid on a reimbursement basis for costs already spent. The funding supports innovative, market-driven deep-tech R&D projects in sustainable energy, advanced digital technologies, and microelectronics and power electronics. Additionally, the program enables India-Finland bilateral partnerships, strengthens technological collaboration, and helps accelerate market entry and commercialization of joint R&D outcomes.

About the provider

Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is offered by Technology Development Board (TDB), 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.

How to apply

Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.

Selection process

The selection process is a single-phase, joint evaluation by TDB and Business Finland. Indian and Finnish partners must apply separately to their respective agencies: Indian companies submit through the TDB website, while Finnish partners use Business Finland's online system and select the 'Finland-India call' option. A mandatory joint application form along with a consortium agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the partners must be submitted. Projects are assessed based on innovation quality, market-driven potential, and a clear pathway to commercialization. Only projects in the targeted sectors of sustainable energy, advanced digital technologies, or microelectronics and power electronics will be considered. Funding decisions are made jointly by both agencies.

Documents you’ll need

Before you apply to Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026, keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:

  • Certificate of incorporation showing your startup is registered as private limited
  • 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

Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is best suited for product, revenue and profitable-stage climate energy ev, deeptech electronics robotics and ai saas enterprise startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹2.5Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding is available through this program?

The TDB provides grant funding of up to ₹2.5 crore per project, covering up to 50% of the total Indian project cost. Funding is disbursed on a reimbursement basis after expenses have been incurred.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline for this program is 28 August 2026.

What types of companies can apply?

Only for-profit private limited companies registered in India under the Companies Act of 1956 or 2013 are eligible. The company must be Indian-owned with at least 51% of shares held by Indian citizens.

Is collaboration with a Finnish entity mandatory?

Yes, it is mandatory for the Indian applicant to have a bilateral R&D collaboration with a company registered in Finland. A joint application form and a consortium agreement or MoU are required.

Which sectors are covered?

Projects must fall within sustainable energy, advanced digital technologies, or microelectronics and power electronics. Technical alignment with these sectors is essential.

Does the program take equity in the company?

No, this is a grant program. TDB does not take any equity stake; the funds are non-dilutive.

What documents are needed during application?

A joint application form is mandatory along with a consortium agreement or MoU signed by both Indian and Finnish partners. Indian applicants submit through the TDB website and must upload required R&D and financial documents.

Is DPIIT or MSME registration required?

No, DPIIT recognition or MSME registration is not a specified requirement for this program.

How do I apply?

Indian applicants must submit their proposal via the TDB online portal at the provided link, while Finnish partners apply through Business Finland's system. Both applications must reference the same joint project.

Who is eligible to apply for Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026?

Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is open to startups at the product, revenue and profitable stage working in climate energy ev, deeptech electronics robotics and ai saas enterprise. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India. Applicants should be registered as private limited.

Who offers Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026?

Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is offered by Technology Development Board (TDB), a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.

Alternatives to Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026

Not sure Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026 is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.

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