India has issued a Rs 11,606 crore boost to its startup ecosystem through a triad of flagship schemes, signaling a deepening commitment to innovation-led growth and entrepreneurial resilience. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada provided a detailed account of the initiatives in a written reply to Parliament, emphasizing support across diverse stages of the business lifecycle.
Central to the push is the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), which channels capital via SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). Operationalized by SIDBI, the FFS has made net commitments totaling Rs 9,994 crore to 141 AIFs as of June 30, 2025. These AIFs in turn invest in Indian startups, creating a multiplier effect in venture capital deployment and innovation capacity.
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) extends targeted financial support to seed-stage ventures through incubators. Till June 30, Rs 945 crore has been approved for 219 incubators selected under SISFS, fortifying early-stage innovation and commercialization pathways.
The third scheme, Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), facilitates collateral-free loans through eligible financial institutions. CGSS is anchored by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) and has guaranteed 289 loans amounting to Rs 667.85 crore, offering critical financial access to new-age ventures without traditional assets or credit footprints.
In parallel, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is advancing entrepreneurial capacity through Project ‘Swavalambini,’ in partnership with NITI Aayog and its Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP). The initiative is executed via NIESBUD in Noida and IIE in Guwahati, delivering both Entrepreneurship Awareness Training and Entrepreneurship Development Training modules.
As of June 30, Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes have reached 591 students, while Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) have trained 43 higher education faculty members. These efforts aim to embed entrepreneurial thinking at the institutional level and galvanize participation among youth and educators.
The combined impact of FFS, SISFS, CGSS and Project Swavalambini forms a coherent ecosystem strategy that strengthens both funding and foundational capacity. From early idea incubation to scaled market entry, India’s startup policy instruments are converging around systemic support and inclusive opportunity.
