USHUS Seed Grant Program at IIMK LIVE

The USHUS Seed Grant is a dedicated initiative supporting innovation within India's maritime sector. It is spearheaded by IIMK LIVE, the incubation centre of IIM Kozhikode, in collaboration with Cochin Shipyard Limited.

This program aims to nurture early-stage startups by providing crucial seed funding to develop their ideas into scalable ventures. Selected ventures can receive financial support up to ₹30 Lakhs to advance their product development, market validation, and initial growth phases.

The overall objective is to bolster the maritime and allied industries by empowering promising startups with both financial and institutional backing.

• Seed grant up to ₹30 Lakhs
• Equity-free funding for maritime startups
• Virtual incubation and expert mentorship from IIMK LIVE
• Access to Cochin Shipyard Limited's maritime ecosystem
• Open to early-stage startups across India
• Potential for further prototype grants up to ₹1 crore

This program is designed for startups actively engaged in the maritime or allied sectors. Eligible ventures must be at an early stage, specifically in the idea, prototype, or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) phase. Applicants must be based in India.

The program is open to legally registered entities, including Private Limited Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and Partnerships. It is important that the startup's objectives align with the broader goals of the USHUS Maritime Startup Support Program. MSME registration is not a mandatory requirement for application.

Applications for USHUS Seed Grant Program at IIMK LIVE are open and the current deadline is Closes in 10d (15 Jun 2026). Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.

Beyond the direct seed grant, selected startups gain access to a comprehensive support ecosystem. This includes virtual incubation services and structured mentorship from experienced IIMK LIVE faculty and industry experts.

Startups also benefit from market-connect support, helping them forge crucial industry relationships, and direct access to the extensive Cochin Shipyard Limited maritime ecosystem. Additionally, exceptionally performing startups may be considered for further opportunities, including prototype grants up to ₹1 crore and potential equity investment from Cochin Shipyard Limited.

USHUS Seed Grant Program at IIMK LIVE is offered by IIMK LIVE, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by IIMK LIVE as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to USHUS Seed Grant Program at IIMK LIVE, keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:

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

USHUS Seed Grant Program at IIMK LIVE is best suited for idea and product-stage logistics mobility startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L – ₹30L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.