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Business & Entrepreneurship

GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)

The scheme aims to discover, support, grow, and accelerate successful startups in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

The scheme provides support across 4 components: | - Investment Support: | - Private-sector matching funding at 1:1 for the investment component of the scheme. | - Average funding of ₹40,00,000/- (₹40 Lakhs), up to a maximum of ₹50,00,000/- (₹50 Lakhs) per startup. | - Matching fund requirement: Yes (1:1 private sector match). | - Pilot (Proof-of-Concept) Support: | - Pilot funding to startups with average funding of ₹40,00,000/- (₹40 Lakhs), up to ₹50,00,000/- (₹50 Lakhs). | - Matching fund requirement: None. | - Ideation Support (Entrepreneur in Residence — EiR: | - Supports early-stage startups with funding of up to ₹10,00,000/- (₹10 Lakhs). | - Matching fund requirement: None. | - Deep-tech Startup Support: | - Provision to support select Deep-tech startups with funding support of an upper ceiling of ₹1,00,00,000/- (₹1 Crore) per startup. | - Matching fund requirement: None. | - Non-Monetary Benefits: | - GENESIS Startup Platform: A single-window solution for all startup-centric schemes of MeitY, programmes, and initiatives targeted towards Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and towns. | - Challenges Execution: Sourcing, executing, monitoring, and reporting on challenges and supporting startups. | - Corporate and Institutional Partnerships: Building linkages with global startup ecosystems and aggregating resources from global and local industries, institutions, and agencies for the benefit of startups. | - Capacity Building and Performance Optimisation: Optimising and enhancing the performance of MeitY assets, programmes, and schemes via capacity-building programmes. | - Building a self-sustaining "community of communities": Creating awareness and engagement of a larger number of startups via effective and pervasive media and marketing programmes.

Who can apply

The applicant should be an entity registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act; OR; The applicant should be a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860; OR; The applicant should be a trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882; OR; The applicant should be a statutory body created through an Act of the legislature.; The applicant may also be an Incubator, Accelerator, or Educational Institute recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) / All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), or formed under a Central/State Act.; The applicant should be an entity engaged in supporting startups as part of the startup ecosystem.; The applicant should be a beneficiary of MeitY Schemes or should be registered with MeitY Startup Hub (MSH).; The applicant should be a startup registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).; The shareholding by Indian promoters in the applicant startup should be at least 51% at the time of application to the incubator for the scheme, as per the Companies Act, 2013.; The applicant startup should have a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO).; The applicant startup should have market-ready products and should be seeking funds for business development and commercialisation (applicable in certain categories).

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What does GENESIS stand for, and which ministry has launched it?

GENESIS stands for "Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups." It has been launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and is implemented by the MeitY Startup Hub (MSH).

What is the total budget and duration of the GENESIS scheme?

The total budgetary outlay for the GENESIS scheme is ₹4,90,00,00,000/- (₹490 Crore). The scheme is operational for a duration of 5 years.

Which cities or regions does the GENESIS scheme primarily target?

The GENESIS scheme primarily targets Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and towns across India. The scheme aims to discover, support, grow, and accelerate successful startups in these cities, ensuring an inclusive startup ecosystem beyond metropolitan areas.

How many startups does the GENESIS scheme aim to impact?

The GENESIS scheme envisages impacting and consolidating 10,000+ (more than ten thousand) tech startups over the course of its 5-year duration.

What are the 4 funding/support components available under the GENESIS scheme?

The 4 components under the GENESIS scheme are: | - Ideation Support (Entrepreneur in Residence — EiR): Funding up to ₹10,00,000/- (₹10 Lakhs) for early-stage startups; no matching fund required. | - Pilot (Proof-of-Concept) Support: Average funding of ₹40,00,000/- (₹40 Lakhs), up to ₹50,00,000/- (₹50 Lakhs); no matching fund required. | - Investment Support: Average funding of ₹40,00,000/- (₹40 Lakhs), up to ₹50,00,000/- (₹50 Lakhs); requires 1:1 private sector matching fund. | - Deep-tech Startup Support: Funding up to ₹1,00,00,000/- (₹1 Crore) per startup; no matching fund required.

Which funding component requires a matching contribution from the private sector?

Only the Investment Support component requires a private sector matching fund in the ratio of 1:1. This means that for every rupee provided by the government under this component, the startup (or its investors) must arrange an equal amount from private sector sources. The Pilot (Proof-of-Concept) Support, Ideation Support (EiR), and Deep-tech Startup Support components do not require any matching fund.

Who are the eligible Implementing Agencies (IAs) under the GENESIS scheme?

An Implementing Agency must be a legal entity and must fall under one of the following categories: | • Entity registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act. | • Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. | • Trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. | • Statutory body created through an Act of the legislature. | • Incubator, Accelerator, or Educational Institute recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) / All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), or formed under a Central/State Act. | • Any other startup ecosystem entity engaged in supporting startups.

What are the eligibility conditions for a startup to apply under GENESIS?

A startup must meet all of the following conditions to be eligible: | • Should be a beneficiary of a MeitY scheme or registered with MeitY Startup Hub (MSH). | • Should be registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). | • Indian promoters must hold at least 51% shareholding in the startup at the time of application, as per the Companies Act, 2013. | • Must have a full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO). | • Must have market-ready products and be seeking funds for business development and commercialisation (applicable in certain categories).

Who are the target beneficiaries of the GENESIS scheme?

The GENESIS scheme targets all stakeholders engaged in the creation, promotion, and acceleration of the startup ecosystem in India. This includes: | • Students, faculty, and academic institutions. | • Budding entrepreneurs. | • Startup companies and their employees. | • Incubators, Centres of Excellence (CoEs), and accelerators. | • Mentors and investors. | • Corporates engaged in innovation-based growth.

How can one apply or get more information about the GENESIS scheme?

Applicants can visit the official MeitY Startup Hub portal at https://msh.meity.gov.in/ for scheme details, eligibility, notifications, and the application process. For further queries, contact MeitY Startup Hub at: | • Email: meity-sthub@gov.in | • Phone: 011-24301244 | • Office: MeitY Startup Hub, 2044, Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003.