GENESIS — ₹10 Lakh to ₹1 Crore for Tech Startups in Tier-II and Tier-III Cities
Funding for the startups Bengaluru and Gurugram never see
GENESIS is MeitY's umbrella scheme for technology startups located in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. It has a ₹490 crore budget over five years and works through roughly fifty implementing agencies — incubators, accelerators, investment platforms and UGC- or AICTE-recognised institutions based in those cities. The agencies discover startups, run programmes, and disburse MeitY's support.
Support comes in layers: an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) fellowship for founders still shaping an idea, pilot and early-stage funding for startups with a product, and larger investment support for deep-tech ventures. Alongside the money, the scheme pays for workshops, boot camps and infrastructure so that the local ecosystem grows with the startup.
What each layer provides
| Component | Support | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| EiR fellowship | Monthly fellowship for a fixed term, plus mentoring | Individual founders pre-incorporation or very early |
| Early-stage / pilot | Around ₹10 lakh, milestone-linked | Startups with a prototype or pilot to run |
| Investment support | Up to ₹1 crore for deep-tech | Startups needing capital for hardware, AI, IoT and similar R&D-heavy products |
| Ecosystem | Workshops, boot camps, infrastructure access | Through the implementing agency |
Department and agencies
MeitY Startup Hub administers the scheme for the ministry. Each implementing agency selects its own cohort through a screening committee; MeitY approves the agency's plan and releases funds to it. The startup's contract is with the agency.
Location is the first test
- •Startup located in a Tier-II or Tier-III city, or a founder based there for the EiR track
- •Technology-based product or service; deep-tech for the higher ceiling
- •DPIIT recognition expected for funded startups; EiR fellows need not be incorporated yet
- •Selected through an implementing agency's cohort — there is no direct application to MeitY
What implementing agencies ask for
- •Certificate of Incorporation and DPIIT recognition (or founder KYC for EiR)
- •Proof of location — registered office or principal place of business in the Tier-II or III city
- •Pitch deck and product description with current readiness level
- •Pilot or development plan with milestones, budget and timeline
- •Founder profiles and team details
- •Financial statements or bank statements for the operating period
- •Declaration of prior support under any MeitY scheme (TIDE 2.0, SAMRIDH, others)
Questions founders ask about GENESIS
The scheme follows the standard classification used by the Government, which excludes the eight metropolitan cities. If your registered office is in a state capital or a smaller city, you are very likely in scope.
It varies by component and agency. Pilot support is typically a grant; the larger investment support for deep-tech may be structured as an investment through the agency. The agency's offer letter states the terms.
You apply to an implementing agency, which then supports you. You do not need to be incubated before applying, but you will be attached to the agency once selected.
Applications are accepted through the year, but each agency batches them into cohorts. Timing depends on the agency covering your city.