UDAY - Pre-seed Stage Program at ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI

The UDAY Agripreneurship Orientation Programme is an initiative by the ICAR-CIRCOT RKVY-RAFTAAR Agri Business Incubator (R-ABI). This program is specifically designed to nurture and support startups in the pre-seed stage within the agricultural and allied sectors. It provides crucial grant-in-aid funding to help emerging agri-startups. The primary goal is to enable these ventures to transform their innovative ideas and proof-of-concepts into practical, tangible prototypes. This call for applications is exclusively open to entrepreneurs operating from Maharashtra & Goa who are actively engaged in the agriculture and allied sectors.

• Grant funding up to ₹5,00,000.
• Supports pre-seed stage agri-startups.
• Focus on developing prototypes from innovative ideas.
• Open to startups from Maharashtra & Goa.
• Application deadline: January 31, 2026.
• Offered by ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI.

The UDAY program is open to agri-startups that are currently in the pre-seed stage of development. Applicants must be based in either Maharashtra or Goa. The startup's operations must be focused on the agriculture and allied sectors.

UDAY - Pre-seed Stage Program at ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for UDAY - Pre-seed Stage Program at ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI closed on 31 Jan 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Recipients of the UDAY program receive grant-in-aid funding of up to ₹5,00,000. This financial support is specifically intended to help agri-startups develop their innovative concepts and proof-of-concepts into working prototypes. The grant aims to facilitate the crucial early-stage development of agricultural innovations.

UDAY - Pre-seed Stage Program at ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI is offered by ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI, 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 for the UDAY program involves several distinct stages: - Pre-screening: Applicants undergo an initial pre-screening conducted by Knowledge Partners (KPs) or Agri Business Incubators (RABIs). This step is for initial training and assessment. - RIC Round I: Following one month of training, pre-seed and seed stage startups are selected during the first round of the Review and Incubation Committee (RIC). - Release of Funds: The initial instalment of funds, or a single instalment for pre-seed stage startups, is then disbursed to the selected ventures. - Incubation Workshop: Participants are required to attend a 15-day intensive incubation workshop. - SIC Recommendation: The Startup Incubation Committee (SIC) provides a final recommendation for funding and sets key milestones for the incubated startups. - Review: Regular meetings of the Review and Incubation Committee (RIC) are held to address any issues or challenges faced by the startups throughout their incubation period.

Before you apply to UDAY - Pre-seed Stage Program at ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI, 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.

UDAY - Pre-seed Stage Program at ICAR-CIRCOT R-ABI 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.