Grind2Growth

GENESIS INVESTMENT 2.0

1:1 Matching Investment up to ₹50 Lakh

Contribution of up to ₹50 Lakhs to startups from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities that have raised capital from investors.

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Last Date: 24 September 2026

About the Program

This program aims to accelerate the growth of startups with market validated solutions. The goal is to help them raise investments from venture capitalists and angel investors and scale up by connecting them with customers, investors, and global markets.

Program Outcomes

  • Support the scaling of innovative startups from Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
  • Accelerate startups towards investment readiness led by market and backed by MeitY
  • 200% of revenue growth of Invested Startups along with increase in valuation and external funds raised will be the performance evaluation criteria
  • Provide essential services like mentorship, networking, customer connections, investor connections, and internationalization support.

Program offerings

  • 1:1 Matching Investment up to ₹50 Lakhs
  • Investor Connect and Fundraising Support
  • Structured Acceleration Programme
  • Investment Readiness, Market Validation and Revenue Acceleration

Ready to Raise Capital and Scale?

Take your startup from market traction to the next stage of growth with investment support, expert mentorship and investor connections.

Apply Now

To know more, reach out to:

etprograms@dfmail.org

How to apply

Step 1

Go to the GENESIS EiR application portal. Application link

Step 2

Create your account and complete the online application.

Step 3

Choose Deshpande Startups as the preference 1 for Implementing Agency.

Step 4

Submit your application by 24 September 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be a registered Indian entity (Private Limited Company) with at least 51% Indian ownership.
  • Must be registered in a Tier-II or Tier-III city.
  • Must have a valid DPIIT certificate.
  • Should work on a tech-based product/software in domains promoted by MeitY. (Service platforms should be avoided).
  • Must have a market-ready product and preferably be revenue-generating.
  • Preference is given to startups with granted patents and intellectual properties.
  • Must not be involved in any legal disputes.
  • Funding is a 1:1 matching investment up to INR 50 lakhs based on external funds raised (government funding & FDIs are not considered).
  • Cannot be a startup previously supported under the TIDE 2.0 (Scale up) or SAMRIDH schemes or GENESIS EIR before graduation.

What's in it for you?

Access to
Capital

Investor
Readiness

Mentorship, Networking,
& Peer learning

Market Access
& Scaling

What's in it for you?

Access to Capital

Get up to ₹50 Lakhs ,matching private investments (excluding government grants).

Investor Readiness

Participate in a structured acceleration program covering design thinking, go-to-market strategy, unit economics, compliance, fundraising, and demo-day preparation.

Mentorship, Networking, & Peer learning

Gain one-on-one expert guidance, connect with domain mentors, and access curated networks of VCs, angel investors, corporates.

Market Access & Scaling

Get exposure to markets ,build customer linkages access to community of fellow founders, and receive support for pilots and commercialization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which funding sources qualify for matching?

Only investor funding counts toward the matching criteria. Government grants and schemes are excluded from the matching calculation.

Yes, you must have actually received the institutional funds in your bank account. Commitments or signed agreements without fund transfer don’t qualify.

You can apply, but government grants won’t count toward the matching fund calculation.

Yes, registration in a Tier-2 or Tier-3 city is mandatory for eligibility.

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