Startup India Fund Scheme- How to Apply, Features, Benefits

With more than 70,000 known startups comprising the nation, India comes in third place among the world's top startup spheres. Even with this fantastic result, there are a lot of stakeholders around the world who are still unable to raise the investor capital needed to establish their creative ideas into a thriving venture. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme came into being as the flagship program by the Government of India to provide an ecosystem for innovators with the potential to feature on the growth curve. This SFC has a total fund of INR 945 crore taking it as an investment opportunity no one should miss. The Startup India Fund is the thrust of this article. We will discuss the application and the benefits as well as why you should get in touch with the fund.

About the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme?

At the "Prarambh” the Startup India International Summit was declared by our Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in January 2021. He unveiled this when he delivered the grand plenary address in the year January 2021. The Industry Opinion of Startup India seed funding is about this platform which we shall talk about in the next part of this article. This investment scheme's main objective is to support businesses financially as they enter the market, produce prototypes, and test products. 

This program helps new businesses in the following ways:
 

• Assists from the moment of proof-of-concept
• Simplifies their access to the market
• Helps to advance the prototype
• Aids in product development and launch
   

While seed capital for a new startup used to be hard to raise, the ambitious goal of the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme is to target incubators that are found all over India, thereby making it easier for startup entrepreneurs to qualify and get funding. Via 300 incubators which this program provides, the program will try to assist more than 3600 businesses in the next four years from 2021 to 2025 Moreover, an entrepreneur may, for instance, utilize in this program financing from angel investors or venture capitalists, raising the needed funding. They can also obtain loans and credit from financial institutions, lenders, and commercial banks.

Source

How to Apply: Startup India Seed Fund Scheme Application Process

To be eligible for this startup fund, interested ones must take the following actions:
 

• Step 1: Go to https://seedfund.startupindia.gov.in, the official website. 
• Step 2: After that, choose 'Login'.
• Step 3: Choose 'Create an Account' from the sign-up screen. .  
• Step 4: Click on the "Register" option found under the "File" menu.
• Step 5: Then type the OTP which has been sent to your phone number that is registered with.
• Step 6: For sure, click on the "Submit" button to finish.
• Step 7: On the home page, select, ‘For Startups ’ and then click, ‘Apply Now’.
• Step 8: Welcome to your account; please enter your username and password to log in.
• Step 9: Hit the "Submit " button, give all that information, and attach any necessary files.

Features of SISFS

The features of SISFS are emphasized in the following points:

• Supplying businesses with sufficient seed money and evaluating their business concepts
• Due to the multiplier effect of this program, employment opportunities will rise exponentially.
• The mission of SISFS is to establish a strong startup environment in India.
• Due to the challenges faced by businesses in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in obtaining sufficient capital, SISFS provides essential help to aspiring entrepreneurs in smaller cities.
• Under this initiative, qualifying incubators selected by a select committee can receive up to ₹5 crores in financing.  
• These incubators can offer grants of up to ₹20 Lakhs to help startups with product testing, prototype development, or concept validation.
• An extra ₹50 Lakhs can be given to startups for commercialization, opening doors for market entry or business expansion through convertible debentures or debt-linked financial instruments. 
   

Key Features:

-Financial Assistance ₹100 Crore allocated annually.

-Guidance: Access to mentorship and expert advice.

-Networking: Connect with investors and industry experts.

-Recognition: Certified startup status under Startup India initiative.
 

Application Process:

   - Register on Startup India portal.

   - Fill out the application form with required details.

   - Submit an application along with necessary documents.

   - Applications evaluated based on predefined criteria.

Benefits:

-Funding Support: Over ₹300 Crore disbursed since inception. 

- Mentorship: 500+ startups mentored to date. 

-Networking Opportunities: Connect with 1000+ investors. 

-Recognition: 80% increase in certified startups. 

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme's Advantages

• Indian companies, satisfying all the necessary stipulated requirements will be able to get access to the Seed Fund. 
• After being incubated, the incubators will give the entrepreneurs people resources, physical infrastructure, testing support, commercialization coaching, and legal compliance. 

Source

Guidelines For Assistance To Incubators

• The grant distribution to the incubators will be handled by the expert advisory group.
• The incubator would receive funding up to Rs 5 crore from the expert advisory council in three or more installments.
• The incubator is only permitted to use the money to reimburse the qualifying startups. 
• The Expert Advisory Committee has the power to determine the financial assistance amount.
• The money cannot be used by the incubator to cover any other costs. 
• Additionally, the incubator will receive 5% of the seed fund award for administrative fees.
• The incubator is not permitted to spend the management fees on building new facilities or covering administrative costs. This must only be utilized for managerial purposes.
• Up to forty percent of the total amount granted will be the first installment of a grant given to the incubator.
• When the amount of funds on hand falls below 10% of the entire commitment, the incubator will get the next installment.
• After the proof is submitted, the expert advisory committee will provide the following installment amount within 30 days. 
• The incubator must use the aid amount within three years of the first installment's receipt date.
• The incubator will not receive any additional funding if, within two years, it has not used half of the award; instead, it must return the unused funds along with interest.
• The startup chosen for this Startup Grant India program is not obliged to pay any fees of any type.
• The startup needs the physical infrastructure provided by the incubator to continue operating regularly and receiving assistance, development, etc.
• Networking with investors is another duty of the incubator.
• The incubator must continue to choose startups openly and honestly.

Disbursement of Seed Funds by Incubators to Startups

The incubators will allocate the seed money by the following guidelines if the firm is granted the money:

• A grant of up to ₹20 Lakhs is awarded in installments for the development of the prototype, product trials, or proof of concept work, contingent upon the achievement of each milestone.
• Up to ₹50 Lakhs in grants would be given out for commercialization or scaling up with the help of debt-linked mechanisms.
• The companies' seed money must only be utilized for the specified goals; it cannot be used to construct facilities.
• When the incubator authorizes the loan, the terms are finalized, with a maximum of five years.
• A 12-month moratorium period may be extended to the startup.
• Since the businesses are just getting started, the loans that have been approved are unsecured, therefore the promoters are not required to provide any guarantees.
• Within 60 days of application, the incubator establishes a legal agreement with the concerned startup before providing the first installment.
• The funds would be deposited directly to the startup's bank account.
• To release the next installments, the startups need to provide an intermediate progress update and a utilization certificate.

Need for Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

The following are some of the primary causes that make the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme necessary:
 

• Inadequate capital: In the Indian market, it refers to a company's inability to raise enough money to cover its ongoing, regular operating expenses. Lack of funding for seed and "Proof of Concept" development phases impedes the expansion of the Indian startup ecosystem. Through the scheme, Rs 5 Crore approximately will be granted to the incubator through installments. 
• Seed funding helps fresh ideas: A lot of creative business ideas are thwarted by the lack of seed money available to them in the early stages of development. 
• Multiplier effect: By enabling businesses with creative ideas to access initial funding, many entrepreneurs' business models will be validated, leading to the creation of jobs across the nation. 

Conclusion

Early-stage startups that receive support will provide a great deal of employment opportunities for everybody. Through the Startup India seed funding, incubators can help entrepreneurs from all around the nation, promoting virtual incubation for firms. In addition to government programs that promote entrepreneurship, the corporate sector in India must assist startups and create partnerships to develop significant technological solutions and growth that are resource-efficient and sustainable. You can get in touch with Filing Buddy if you're seeking for business expansion and hassle-free taxation, compliance, and registration.