Foundation for Technology & Business Incubation (FTBI)
(A Section 8 Company Supported by DST, Govt. of India)
National Institute of Technology Rourkela - 769008 , Odisha , India
MeitY GENESIS Funding Programs
FTBI NIT Rourkela invites applications from emerging startups under the MeitY GENESIS Program, an initiative of MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) designed to accelerate high-potential startups through funding, mentorship, and industry collaborations. The scheme aims to strengthen India’s deep-tech ecosystem by enabling startups to validate, scale, and commercialize innovative digital solutions.
Program Components:
1. MeitY GENESIS – Matching Investment Funding Scheme This initiative supports startups from Tier-II and Tier-III cities with validated, scalable, technology-driven solutions. Through a 1:1 matching equity funding support of up to ₹50 lakhs, GENESIS empowers startups that have secured active private investor interest. The program enhances investment readiness through structured acceleration, mentoring, and investor engagement sessions, offering strategic guidance on fundraising, financial structuring, and market expansion.
2. MeitY GENESIS – Pilot Funding SchemeThis component enables startups to test, validate, and deploy market-ready solutions in collaboration with corporates, PSUs, or large enterprises. Startups can receive up to ₹40 lakhs in funding support for pilot execution, helping them bridge the gap between MVP and commercialization. The scheme focuses on startups working in ICT, AI, electronics, and deep tech domains with a valid work/purchase order from eligible organizations. It encourages industry–startup partnerships to drive real-world adoption of digital innovations.
Important Note:Startups that have already received benefits under the MeitY TIDE 2.0 Scale-Up or MeitY SAMRIDH programs are not eligible to apply under this scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) –MeitY GENESIS Matching Investment Scheme(MeitY Startup Hub)
General Information
1. What is the MeitY GENESIS Matching Investment Scheme?
The MeitY GENESIS Matching Investment Scheme is an initiative under the MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) designed to accelerate the growth of innovative startups with validated solutions and proof of concept. It enables startups to raise matching investments from venture capitalists or angel investors and provides them with acceleration support to scale and access markets.
2. What is the main objective of this program?
The objective is to help startups connect with customers, investors, and global markets while scaling innovative solutions that address challenges in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.Eligibility Criteria for Startups1. Who can apply for support under the MeitY GENESIS Matching Investment Scheme?Startups must be registered Indian entities (Private Limited Companies) with at least 51% Indian ownership and a valid DPIIT certificate.2. Is there any geographic restriction for eligibility?
Yes. The startup must be registered in a Tier-II or Tier-III city.
3. What kind of startups are eligible?Only technology-based startups developing products or software in domains such as Deep-tech, AI/ML, Cybersecurity, IoT, Blockchain, Fintech, Ed-tech, or Health-tech are eligible.
4. At what stage should the startup be?
Startups should have a market-ready product and preferably be revenue-generating.
5. Are startups with patents preferred?
Yes. Preference is given to startups with granted or filed patents.
6. Can a startup involved in legal disputes apply?
No. Startups currently involved in any legal disputes are not eligible.
7. Can startups that have received government funding earlier apply?
Startups that have received support under the TIDE 2.0 (Scale-up) or SAMRIDH schemes are not eligible to apply under this component.
8. What type of funding support is offered?
The funding support is in the form of a 1:1 matching equity investment, with MeitY Startup Hub matching up to ₹50 lakhs against external private investments raised by the startup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – MeitY GENESIS Pilot Funding Program (MeitY Startup Hub)
General Information
1. What is the GENESIS Pilot Funding Program?
It’s a component under MeitY’s GENESIS initiative that enables startups, especially from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, to validate and demonstrate their market-ready solutions through pilot projects with corporates, PSUs, and large enterprises.
2. What is the objective of the Pilot Component?
To bridge the gap between MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and commercialization by helping startups execute pilot projects, gain credibility, generate revenue, and foster industry collaboration.
3. What is the average funding amount for each startup?
Each selected startup may receive up to ₹40 lakhs, equity based funding, based on project scope and requirement.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Who can apply for this Pilot Funding Program?
Startups that are DPIIT-registered, have a working MVP/prototype, are working in ICT-related domains (AI, electronics, deeptech, IT), and have a valid purchase/work order (PO/WO) from an eligible corporate/PSU/unicorn working from Tier II & Tier III Cities.
2. What is a valid Purchase Order/Work Order (PO/WO)?
PO/WO must be issued by an eligible organization such as a Government of India ministry, State Government department, PSU, Fortune 500 company, or recognized unicorn startup. Minimum turnover of work order provider should be more than ₹75 crore in the last audited financial year; minimum 5 years of operations; must belong to the eligible organization categories listed above.
3. Can early-stage startups without PO/WO apply?
No. Startups must have a valid and verifiable PO/WO to qualify.
4. Can startups already funded under TIDE 2.0 or SAMRIDH apply?
No. Startups that have been beneficiaries of TIDE 2.0 (Scale-up) or SAMRIDH are not eligible.
5. Can startups apply jointly or as a consortium?
Only individual DPIIT-recognized startups can apply.
6. Do all founders need to be full-time?
Yes, at least one full-time founder or co-founder is mandatory.
Last date to apply: 10-11-2025
For Call for Applications – GENESIS EiR Program (Cohort 2) last date to apply 20th October 2025