Are you an early-stage innovator or startup founder building a technology-driven solution? The MeitY GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) program provides funding, mentorship, incubation, and technical support to help early-stage innovators turn ideas into prototypes and scalable ventures.
The program focuses on technology-led innovation, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Quick Eligibility: MeitY GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence
- Opportunity Type: Startup Grant & Incubation Program
- Applicant Type: Early-stage innovator, entrepreneur, founder/co-founder, or eligible final-year UG/PG student
- Eligible Nationalities: Indian citizens
- Age Limit: 18 years or older
- Education Requirement: Final-year UG/PG students with entrepreneurial pursuits may apply; eligible startup founders/co-founders may also apply
- Work Experience: Not required
- Startup Stage: Ideation, concept development, validation, PoC, prototyping, or working prototype
- Startup Age: DPIIT-registered startups generally must be 2 years old or less
- Location: Applicants/startups from or operating in Tier-II or Tier-III cities
- Physical Incubation: Required
- Nomination Required: No
- University Admission: Not required for eligible founders/innovators
- Funding: Up to ₹10 lakh
- Application Fee: No application fee stated
- Previous Funding: Applicants generally must not have received more than ₹10 lakh in government/external funding for the same idea/startup
- Technology Areas: AI/ML, IoT, DeepTech, ICT, VLSI/Semiconductors, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, AR/VR and Spatial Technologies
- Deadline: September 3, 2026 for the current Cohort 3 call through participating incubators such as AIC ISB
- Application Method: Apply through the MeitY Startup Hub portal and select an eligible GENESIS incubator as your preference.
What Does the Program Provide?
Selected Entrepreneur-in-Residence participants can receive up to ₹10 lakh in financial support, subject to approval and program conditions. The current AIC ISB Cohort 3 call states that the grant is released in two 50% tranches linked to onboarding, incubation, documentation and achievement of agreed milestones.
Participants can also receive:
- Physical incubation support
- Technical and business mentorship
- Prototype and PoC development support
- Access to labs and infrastructure
- Startup and investor networking
- Market and technology validation support
Who Is This For?
This program is particularly relevant if you are:
- Building an AI/ML or DeepTech startup
- Developing an early-stage technology product
- At the ideation-to-prototype stage
- A final-year UG/PG student pursuing an entrepreneurial idea
- A founder/co-founder of a young DPIIT-registered startup
- Building from or for a Tier-II or Tier-III city
Important: Physical Incubation
This is not a fully remote grant.
Selected applicants are expected to undergo physical incubation with the implementing incubator they are accepted by.
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