Women/Transgender Productization Grant

The Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) offers this dedicated grant for women and transgender-led ventures that have a working minimum viable product (MVP) and need funding to take it to a market-ready product. KSUM is Kerala's state-run nodal agency for startups, and this grant is part of its broader Productization Grant scheme, tailored to meet the shareholding requirements of government policies.

Eligible startups can receive up to ₹5 lakhs in funding, disbursed in milestone-based tranches tied to predefined product development goals. The funds can be used for product development, validation, and early market-readiness activities. However, KSUM excludes certain expenses: founder salaries, rental charges, large infrastructure projects, purchase of fixed assets like land or buildings, and high-end equipment worth more than ₹2 lakhs.

The grant aims to provide women and transgender entrepreneurs with equity-free capital to bridge the gap between prototype and commercial launch, accelerating innovation to market.

• Up to ₹5 lakh equity-free grant for women & transgender-led Kerala startups.
• Minimum 51% shareholding by women or transgender founders required.
• Grant disbursed in milestone-linked tranches based on product development progress.
• Excludes founder salaries, rent, major infrastructure and equipment over ₹2 lakhs.
• Eligibility requires Product Development stage and a valid KSUM Unique ID.
• Closed for startups that have already received a KSUM Scale-up Grant.

Only startups in the Product Development stage, actively working from an MVP toward a full product, may apply. The venture must be registered with KSUM and have a valid KSUM Unique ID. Women or transgender founders must collectively hold at least 51% equity in the business. The startup must be incorporated as a Private Limited, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), or One Person Company (OPC) and remain active with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

A startup that has already received a KSUM Scale-up Grant is ineligible. Additionally, the founder who presents the pitch to the Expert Committee must be a woman or transgender individual directly involved in presenting the venture’s product, market potential, and strategy.

Women/Transgender Productization Grant is open to startups at the product stage. The programme is targeted at startups registered in Kerala. Applicants should be registered as private limited and llp.

Women/Transgender Productization 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.

• Up to ₹5 lakhs equity-free grant funding.
• Funds disbursed in milestone-based tranches tied to product development progress.
• Funds can be used for product development, validation, and initial go-to-market activities.
• Eligible expenses include equipment up to ₹2 lakhs, subject to KSUM norms.
• KSUM also provides part of the support through training workshops.

Women/Transgender Productization Grant is offered by Kerala Startup Mission, 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.

Applications are submitted via the official KSUM website during open calls. After submission, KSUM officials perform an eligibility screening and shortlist candidates. Shortlisted startups must pitch their product and fund utilisation plan to an Expert Committee, which evaluates the team, product innovation, market approach, financial projections, and the viability of the grant proposal. Once the committee gives its nod, the KSUM CEO or Chairman provides final approval. Successful applicants then submit documents and formally execute a grant agreement before the funds start flowing in milestone-driven portions.

Before you apply to Women/Transgender Productization Grant, 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.

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