Corporate programmes backing Indian startups

German company making bags from recycled ocean plastic; runs the CARE Collective Fund, a low-barrier global grant for ocean-health and climate grassroots and social-enterprise projects.

Maharatna PSU running the HP Udgam startup initiative focused on green hydrogen, renewables, and energy transition technologies.

Bangalore-based logistics AI company offering a startup program for supply-chain and last-mile innovation.

India's largest carmaker running the Maruti Suzuki Accelerator (formerly MAIL) to support mobility, AI, and auto-tech startups with paid POC opportunities and mentorship.

Global cross-corporate sustainability accelerator founded by AB InBev with Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Mondelēz and Unilever; funds startup pilots solving water, climate, packaging and supply-chain challenges.

Global technology and consulting firm; runs the Tech Next Challenge for India deep-tech startups via its Accenture Ventures / Reinvention Partner ecosystem.

Adani Group is a corporate programme with 1 live startup funding programme — see eligibility, amounts and how to apply.

Alibaba's global cloud arm offering startup credits, incubation, and access to China's largest tech ecosystem.

Global tech giant running AWS Activate, Alexa Fund, and India-specific programs for startup growth.

Amazon's $350M Smbhav Venture Fund and Propel Accelerator supporting Indian startups across D2C, manufacturing, AI, and agritech.

UK chip architecture leader powering global semiconductor startups through the Arm Startup Program and Flexible Access.

China's leading AI and search company supporting startups through Apollo (autonomous driving) and AI Cloud programs.

BMW Group is a corporate automotive multinational that actively engages with the startup ecosystem. It supports new ventures through dedicated startup engagement programs. One of its key initiatives is the BMW Group Startup Garage. This program provides grants to startups, with funding amounts that vary based on the specific engagement.

Boeing's India arm running the BUILD program for aerospace, defence, and sustainability startups.

Bharat Petroleum's Project Ankur startup program providing grant and equity funding up to Rs 1.5 crore for energy sector innovations.

Global IT services and consulting firm running innovation challenges and co-innovation programs with startups in India across enterprise SaaS, sustainability, and manufacturing.

Leading Indian tyre manufacturer under RPG Group, operating across 120+ countries with focus on innovation in sustainable mobility and smart manufacturing.

Global networking technology leader running Cisco LaunchPad, a B2B corporate accelerator for deep-tech startups.

Diversified UAE corporate group established in 2004, operating across real estate, hospitality, entertainment, retail, and sustainability sectors in Dubai and globally.

Open-core DevOps platform offering the GitLab for Startups program with free licenses and community support.

Global investment bank running the 10,000 Women program — free business education for women entrepreneurs across India.

Google runs India's largest startup support infrastructure through for Startups, Cloud credits, and the Startups Accelerator India.

Google's equity-free accelerator connecting early-stage startups with mentorship, cloud credits, and AI tools

Hyundai Motor India Limited is a corporate programme with 1 live startup funding programme — see eligibility, amounts and how to apply.

Global healthcare group running the IHH Catalyst Program to deploy medtech and healthtech innovations within Fortis hospitals in India.

Infineon Technologies operates as a corporate provider, engaging with Indian startups. It runs startup cooperation programs and deep-tech innovation challenges within India. One of its key initiatives is the Infineon Co-Innovation Program (COINS). This program offers grants to selected startups, with the amount varying.

JioGenNext is a corporate startup accelerator, backed by Reliance. It offers an equity-free program designed to support emerging businesses. This accelerator provides startups with market access and mentorship. Participants also benefit from potential integration opportunities within the extensive Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) ecosystem. Among its initiatives, JioGenNext runs the JioGenNext Market Access Program. This program offers grant-based funding, with varying amounts provided to selected startups.

Auto manufacturer running the MG Developer Program & Grant to nurture mobility, EV, and auto-tech startups with mentoring, grants, and pilot opportunities in Gurugram.

Major Indian private-sector bank offering DPIIT-recognised startups zero-balance accounts, working capital loans, API banking, mentorship, and incubation access.

Global beauty company running the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program to discover and scale startups across the SAPMENA region in beauty tech, sustainability, and consumer experience.

US-based digital marketing analytics firm supporting startups with growth marketing resources and programs.

Global semiconductor company running the NXP India Tech Startup Challenge and MeitY SIPS programme to mentor deep-tech startups in chip design, automotive, and IoT.

Belgium's leading open-source ERP offering free licenses and startup support for businesses adopting the Odoo suite.

Oil India Limited is a corporate programme with 1 live startup funding programme — see eligibility, amounts and how to apply.

Leading Indian fintech company running inFINity accelerator and startup programme offering $100K in credits, 1:1 mentorship, and access to 150+ payment modes for founders.

Pernod Ricard India Foundation is a corporate organisation. It operates as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Pernod Ricard India. This foundation provides support to Indian startups with a focus on the circular economy, climate initiatives, and water stewardship. The foundation offers grant funding to startups, often working through partner incubators. One of its key programs is the ADVAYA Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad - SIIC IIT Kanpur Cohort 2, which provides grants ranging from ₹8L to ₹12L.

Global pharma company running the INDovation programme with DPIIT, NITI Aayog, and IIT Delhi, offering INR 60 lakh grants and 18 months of incubation to MedTech startups.

PW's startup school giving student founders access to the PhysicsWallah ecosystem, mentors, and early-stage funding.

India's largest conglomerate running JioGenNext, a zero-equity startup accelerator that has incubated 170+ startups raising over INR 2,600 crore with 21 acquisitions.

Global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools (parent of Elsevier/ScienceDirect and LexisNexis); runs the annual RELX Environmental Challenge.

Mobile subscription infrastructure platform offering startup credits and resources for app-based businesses.

World's leading CRM company with Salesforce for Startups, Trailhead, and Salesforce Ventures for ecosystem support.

Samsung R&D Institute India (SRI-B & SRI-N) functions as a Corporate provider of funding. These institutes represent Samsung's dedicated research and development efforts within India. They offer support to Indian startups through grants, specifically targeting those in the deep-tech mobile sector. A notable feature of their funding approach is that they do not acquire equity from the recipient startups. Among their initiatives is the program titled "Samsung Mobile Advance 2026 — SRI-B & SRI-N". This program provides grants to qualifying startups, with amounts available up to ₹45L.

Samsung's largest R&D centre outside South Korea, based in Bangalore, running startup incubation programs like Samsung Mobile Advance with grants up to $50K for collaborative innovation.

India's third-largest cement producer supporting innovation in climate-tech and sustainability, with CSR investments exceeding 51 crore rupees annually across skill development and rural empowerment.

India's leading CPA/CMA exam prep institute supporting finance and accounting-focused startup founders.

Cisco's data platform company offering startup programs for security, observability, and IT operations ventures.

Global life sciences leader running the BioVerse Challenge in partnership with DPIIT to accelerate 500+ Indian biotech startups with technology access, mentorship, and investor connections.

RPA leader with a startup program and academic alliance supporting automation and AI-first enterprise ventures.

India's quick commerce delivery platform running the Zepto Nova innovation challenge with DPIIT and FSSAI.