IN-SPACe Seed Fund — ₹1 Crore Milestone Grant for Early-Stage Space Startups

IN-SPACe was created to promote, authorise and supervise non-government entities in the space sector. Its Seed Fund Scheme, announced in December 2023, gives early-stage startups a grant of up to ₹1 crore to develop innovative space products and services — upstream (launch, satellites, components), midstream (ground systems) or downstream (applications and data). The grant is paid in three or more instalments, with the exact amount and schedule fixed by an expert committee on the basis of progress.

Calls come as Announcements of Opportunity on the IN-SPACe portal, and some are themed: the AI INSPIRED Opportunities in Space Sector call, which closed on 20 March 2026, selected up to six grantees at ₹1 crore each. Mentoring, training and networking through IN-SPACe accompany the money.

IN-SPACe's Promotion Directorate runs the scheme; an expert committee of ISRO and industry specialists evaluates proposals and fixes milestones. The IN-SPACe Board approves grants.

• •DPIIT-recognised early-stage startup with an innovative idea using space technology to address upstream, midstream or downstream challenges
• •Has not received more than ₹50 lakh of monetary support under any central or state government scheme
• •Indian entity; IN-SPACe authorisation obtained or in process where the activity needs it
• •Fit with the theme of the Announcement of Opportunity, where one is specified

• •Certificate of Incorporation, DPIIT recognition, shareholding pattern
• •Declaration of all central and state government support received, with sanction letters
• •Technical proposal: problem, solution, space relevance, TRL, development plan, milestones with budget
• •Team CVs and prior space or deep-tech work
• •IN-SPACe authorisation status for the proposed activity
• •Financial statements and bank details
• •Letters from any collaborating institution or anchor customer