2025 is turning out to be one of the strongest years for non-dilutive funding, with government agencies, global institutions, incubators, and state missions offering grants ranging from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2 crore across sectors like AgriTech, AI, BioTech, CleanTech, DeepTech, and Rural Innovation.
Whether you’re building a prototype, validating your product, scaling your operations, or preparing for investment, these programs offer an opportunity to access capital, mentorship, testbeds, farmer networks, and technical infrastructure without giving up equity.
Below is a comprehensive list of Top 11 Grants & Accelerators you can apply for in 2025.
1. MeitY TIDE 2.0 – PSG College of Technology (Coimbatore)
Grant Support:
- Prototype Grant: ₹7 Lakhs
- EiR Fellowship: ₹4 Lakhs
Sectors: FinTech, EduTech, AgriTech, CleanTech, Healthcare, Emerging Tech
TIDE 2.0 supports early-stage innovators in digital & deep-tech domains. Startups receive prototype funding, mentorship, and access to labs.
📅 Deadline: 25 November 2025
🔗 Apply: Click Now
2. Agri Sandbox 2025 – AgHub, PJTSAU Hyderabad
Support: Up to ₹20 Lakhs Pilot Grant + Live Farm Testing
A national call for AgriTech companies to test & validate solutions with access to farmlands, FPOs, and technical experts.
Focus Areas:
AI in Agriculture, Biogas/Composting, Climate Tools, Robotics, Cold Chain, Water Management, Seed Quality, Digital Farm Ops.
📅 Deadline: 15 November 2025
🔗Apply: Click Now
3. NIDHI SSP Fund – riidl Somaiya (Mumbai)
Seed Funding: Up to ₹1 Crore
Best for startups in early revenue or scaling stage in: AgriTech, D2C, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Gaming, GenAI.
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2025
🔗Apply: Click Now
4. Techtonic – Innovations for Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods (MSSRF × Social Alpha)
Funding:
- Deployment Support: Up to ₹2 Crore
- Pilot Funding: Up to ₹50 Lakhs
In honour of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan’s centenary, the program supports innovations improving farmer livelihoods.
Focus Areas:
✔ Soil rejuvenation
✔ Small farm mechanization
✔ Biogas systems
Startups gain access to:
✔ 2 lakh+ farmers
✔ 150+ FPOs
✔ Pilot infrastructure
✔ Seed funding + long-term mentorship
📅 Deadline: 15 November
🔗 Apply: Click Now
5. Zoho for Startups
Benefits Worth ₹1.86 Lakhs:
- Zoho Wallet Credits
- Access to 55+ SaaS tools
- Free business consultation
Ideal for early-stage startups needing CRM, automation, accounting, and workflow management.
🔗 Apply: Click Now
6. AGRI UDAAN 8.0 – ICAR-NAARM × NABARD
A premier Agri & Food Business Accelerator.
Who Should Apply:
- Startups with market validation
- Ready-to-scale products
- Strong teams
Focus Areas:
FoodTech, Agri-BioTech, Mechanization, Precision Farming, Supply Chain, Renewable Energy, Agri-FinTech & more.
📅 Deadline: 7 December 2025
🔗Apply: Click Now
7. AgriNext – Govt. of Kerala (World Bank Supported)
Grant Support: Up to ₹25 Lakhs
- ₹20 Lakhs for product development
- ₹5 Lakhs for pilots & market validation
A mission to empower 150 AgriTech startups and impact 40,000+ farmers.
Sectors: Climate-smart Agriculture, Water Management, Supply Chain, AI/IoT tools for farmers.
🔗Apply Now: Click Now
8. BIRAC BIG – 25th Call (ICAR-NAARM a-IDEA)
Grant: ₹50 Lakhs (non-dilutive)
Eligibility: Startups registered on or after Nov 2020.
Focus:
Agriculture, Fisheries, Biotech, FoodTech, Clean Energy, IoT, Soil/Water/GIS, Smart Farming, Waste Management & more.
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2025
🔗 Apply: Click Now
9. MahaAgri AI Innovation Fund (Govt. of Maharashtra)
One of India’s largest AI-in-Agri funding programs.
Funding Tracks:
- Track 1: Discovery & Ideation – ₹40 Lakhs
- Track 2: Pilot & Validation – ₹2 Crores
Focus Areas:
Soil Intelligence | Climate Resilience | AI/Robotics | Post-Harvest | Supply Chains | Digital Advisory
Applicants also get access to Digital Public Infrastructures such as Agri Data Exchange & AI Sandbox.
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2025
🔗Apply: Click Now
10. Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) – C-CAMP
Grant: ₹50 Lakhs
One of the most competitive early-stage biotech grants in India.
Focus Areas:
BioTech, AgriTech, MedTech, Industrial Biotech, Regenerative Medicine, Clean Energy, Diagnostics, AI/ML, FoodTech, Sanitation, Nutraceuticals.
📅 Deadline: 30 November 2025
🔗 Apply: Click Now
11. Ideathon 2.0 – iHub AWaDH (IIT Ropar × DST)
Supports IP-led innovation, deep-tech prototypes, and inclusive technology development.
Who Can Apply:
- Faculty, Scientists
- Startups & MSMEs
- NGOs
- Skill Centres & Training Institutions
Benefits:
- R&D Grants
- Prototype Support
- Testbeds
- Lab Infrastructure
- Skill Development Funding
📅 Deadline: 25 November 2025
🔗 Apply: Click Now
Why These Grants Matter for Founders:
Most early-stage startups struggle with:
✔ Prototype capital
✔ Lab/testing infrastructure
✔ Market validation
✔ Access to farmers & industry
✔ High product development cost
✔ Investor readiness
These 11 programs solve all of this through:
- Non-dilutive funding (₹20 lakh – ₹2 crore)
- Farmer networks & field pilot access
- Mentorship from sector leaders
- Access to labs, DPI, and R&D facilities
- Investment connections & acceleration
Conclusion: 2025 Is a Breakthrough Year for Innovation Funding
Whether you’re building in AgriTech, BioTech, AI, or CleanTech — these grants offer a powerful launchpad to build, test, validate, and scale.
