Foundations & non-profits backing Indian startups

EarthON Foundation operates as an NGO/Foundation dedicated to supporting climate-focused startups and grassroots organizations. This provider focuses its efforts on initiatives across India and the Global South. It offers funding opportunities through grants and also conducts 10-month programs designed to nurture selected ventures. Startups can apply for the following programs: - Greenovation Green Steel Challenge by EarthON Foundation: This program provides grants up to ₹25L. - Greenovation Urban Climate Resilience Challenge: This challenge offers equity funding up to ₹20L.

NASSCOM operates as an NGO/Foundation and stands as India's premier body for the IT industry. Its official web presence is at nasscom.in.The organisation supports tech founders through key initiatives like 10,000 Startups and the DeepTech Club, aiming to foster innovation within the technology sector.NASSCOM provides grant funding through specific programs designed to assist emerging businesses. These include: - Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program - NASSCOM CoE – IoT & AI Gurugram Incubation Program

Social incubator supporting early-stage nonprofits and social enterprises building resilient livelihoods across India.

Global social-impact institute empowering entrepreneurs and community leaders to build ventures that drive sustainable change.

UK-based global charitable foundation funding health research; co-runs the Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature, a US$1M+ prize for new mental-health interventions.

India's first assistive technology accelerator, enabling 500+ AT startups and impacting 1M+ lives of persons with disabilities.

The Gates Foundation is an NGO/Foundation operating as the world's largest private foundation. It offers funding for various initiatives, including health, education, poverty alleviation, and financial inclusion. The foundation's support spans globally, with a focus on activities in India. All funding provided by the Gates Foundation is equity-free. Its official website is https://www.gatesfoundation.org.

World's largest entrepreneurship network running GEW, GEN India, and policy programs in 200+ countries.

Tata Trusts-backed platform incubating science and technology startups for large-scale social and environmental impact

TiE Pune is an NGO/Foundation operating as the Pune chapter of the global entrepreneurship network, TiE. Its official website is https://pune.tie.org. This organisation provides grant funding to Indian startups through its programs. One program offered by TiE Pune is: - TiE Women – Pune Chapter: This initiative provides grant funding, with amounts available up to ₹45L.

Villgro functions as an NGO/Foundation. To learn more about its work and initiatives, please visit its official website at https://villgro.org.

Wadhwani Foundation operates as an NGO/Foundation, providing support for various initiatives. Its official website, https://wadhwanifoundation.org, offers further details on its work. The foundation provides funding opportunities for startups. One notable program is the Wadhwani Innovation Network CoE Call for Proposals 2026. This initiative offers grant funding, with support available for up to ₹1Cr.

Indian wildlife-conservation NGO; runs the WCT-BEES small-grants programme funding conservation research and grassroots projects for endangered species and habitats in India.

National livelihoods NGO supporting microenterprise, women entrepreneurship, and rural innovation since 2006.

Pan-African foundation accelerating deep-tech startups and bridging Africa's innovation ecosystem with global partners.

Philanthropic arm of APNIC funding internet infrastructure, security, and digital-inclusion projects across Asia Pacific.

India's largest social enterprise incubator with a 20-acre campus near Hyderabad

Social impact incubator by Jubilant Bhartia Foundation supporting startups addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals through sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and waste management solutions.

US-based nonprofit advancing disability-inclusive policy globally; runs a 12-month research fellowship for emerging researchers with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries.

An organization supporting small and medium businesses through networking, advocacy, and growth programs.

CII's industry-led hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and startups in Hyderabad, offering corporate accelerator programs, market access, and co-working infrastructure.

Corporate foundation of DBS Bank funding social enterprises and SMEs for impact across Asia

DST-recognized Technology Business Incubator in Hubli, Karnataka, empowering Tier II and III city entrepreneurs with seed funding, co-working space, and mentorship.

DIV Fund is a foundation that operates as an independent successor to the USAID's DIV program. This organisation focuses on supporting innovations aimed at global development. The foundation provides funding for evidence-driven initiatives that seek to achieve impact at scale, particularly those addressing social impact challenges. As a global program, DIV Fund supports ventures without taking equity. It is also a government-backed initiative.

Global venture-philanthropy firm funding early-stage, high-impact social enterprises (nonprofit and for-profit) with up to US$300,000 over three years plus hands-on support.

Qatar Foundation's Center for a Sustainable Future; runs the US$1 million Earthna Prize recognizing traditional-knowledge-based sustainability solutions.

National apex body representing 65 million brick-and-mortar traders and retailers across India, advocating for ease of doing business for traditional commerce.

India's oldest and largest apex business organization established in 1927, representing 250,000+ companies and driving the FICCI for Startups initiative.

National investment platform connecting AgriTech startups with investors

International advocacy organization mobilizing global action against poverty through campaigns, grants, and impact programs.

Johannesburg-headquartered global network supporting community philanthropy organizations — funds that themselves regrant to grassroots groups.

UN-accredited global NGO body facilitating nonprofit innovation and social enterprise development programs.

Climate and sustainability innovation program under EarthON Foundation — $100K+ in grants to grassroots green startups.

UN agency investing in rural development and agriculture worldwide, providing grants and loans to reduce poverty in developing countries.

Global nonprofit accelerator for water technology startups, providing mentorship, funding, and market access across an 8-month program.

Non-profit advancing open payment systems and digital financial inclusion; runs the Interledger on Campus Mini-Grant Program for student-led university projects.

London-based intergovernmental body connecting agritech startups to global grain trade policy and market data.

Region-focused incubation centre in eastern Uttar Pradesh nurturing early-stage entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns through mentorship, market access, and funding.

Global nonprofit accelerating safe, fair cross-border labor mobility for workers from low-income countries.

Global platform recognizing and supporting young changemakers (15–30) building SDG-aligned solutions.

India's first Assistive Technology innovation hub, funding and supporting startups building solutions for persons with disabilities.

France-based endowment fund protecting endangered species and ecosystems; runs the Biodiv'Sport grant using sport as a tool for biodiversity awareness and conservation.

Social enterprise tackling electronic waste through circular economy solutions.

Non-profit Startup Accelerator Chamber of Commerce based in Chandigarh, promoting grassroots entrepreneurship through mentorship, acceleration programs, and impact investing since 2014.

SAMRIDH Impact Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is an NGO. The organisation runs the SAMRIDH Impact Accelerator Program 2026. This program offers grant funding. Under the SAMRIDH Impact Accelerator Program 2026, funding is available up to ₹1Cr. Further information is available on their website at https://www.samridhimpact.com.

Deep-tech enablement platform connecting 3,000+ startups, investors, and incubators to accelerate funding, talent acquisition, and customer connections for Indian deep-tech ventures.

Social Nest Foundation's international platform and startup challenge for impact-driven entrepreneurs.

Wildlife conservation foundation co-founded by Roshni Nadar Malhotra, disbursing over 16 crore rupees in grants to support habitat restoration and species recovery across 21 Indian states.

The Thiel Foundation operates as a foundation dedicated to supporting young innovators. It focuses on individuals who choose to build companies instead of pursuing a traditional college education. This organisation provides funding to entrepreneurs who are 22 years old or younger. Its initiatives are designed to empower these young founders in developing their ventures. A key offering is the Thiel Fellowship, which provides a grant. Through this program, eligible young founders can receive funding of up to ₹2.3 crore.

Business-led non-profit accelerating sanitation innovation with 111+ SMEs graduated

UNICEF's pooled fund investing in early-stage open-source and frontier-tech startups in emerging markets, including India.

Corporate foundation of Visa Inc. with over $400 million in assets, deploying grants and impact investments to support financial inclusion and women-led micro and small businesses globally.

Founded by Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug in 1986, this Des Moines-based foundation awards the $250,000 World Food Prize and runs youth programs engaging 4,000+ students in food security research.

World's leading incentive prize foundation running multi-million dollar competitions for breakthrough technology solutions.