Seed Funding for Startups

• DPIIT-recognised Haryana startups at any stage seeking seed grant funding.

About this scheme

The Haryana Startup Policy 2022 introduces a pivotal Seed Funding program, carefully crafted to deliver essential financial assistance to eligible startups operating within the state. This significant initiative is spearheaded by the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana, and is operationalized through HARTRON and Startup Haryana. HARTRON, a government agency, plays a crucial role in promoting IT and electronics industries within the state, while Startup Haryana is specifically mandated to foster a dynamic and supportive ecosystem for emerging businesses. Together, these entities are dedicated to nurturing innovation, facilitating growth, and strengthening the foundational phase of new ventures, ensuring they possess the necessary resources to develop and scale effectively within Haryana's economic landscape. The overarching policy aims to position Haryana as a leading hub for startup innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

The program provides a critical one-time seed grant, offering substantial support of up to Rs. 10,00,000 (Ten Lakh Indian Rupees) per eligible startup. This financial aid is entirely non-dilutive, meaning startups do not have to cede any equity in exchange for the funds. This structure is specifically designed to alleviate the significant financial burdens often encountered during early-stage development, allowing founders to channel their energy and focus entirely on core developmental activities, innovation, and growth without immediate concerns about investor equity. As a grant, these funds are non-repayable, providing a substantial and risk-free boost to a startup's initial trajectory and enhancing its chances of long-term success.

The funding is strategically allocated to cover a broad spectrum of essential startup activities. This includes comprehensive product development, where startups can refine, build, and iterate on their core offerings to meet identified market needs and customer demands. It also critically supports prototype creation, enabling the physical or digital manifestation of innovative ideas, which is vital for testing, demonstration, and gathering early feedback. Furthermore, the grant facilitates crucial market validation efforts, helping startups to deeply understand and confirm customer demand, evaluate market fit, and strategize their entry and positioning. The funds can also be judiciously utilized for initial operational costs, which are indispensable for establishing and efficiently running the business during its nascent and most vulnerable stages, covering aspects like initial hiring, legal setup, and basic infrastructure.

Who can apply

• The startup must possess valid DPIIT recognition, signifying its official status as an innovative startup by the Government of India. This recognition is crucial for accessing various government support schemes and benefits.
• The startup must be formally registered and actively operating in Haryana, maintaining its primary office or crucial R&D facilities within the state. This criterion ensures that the program directly benefits the local economy and fosters entrepreneurship within Haryana.
• Eligible legal entity types strictly include Private Limited Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), or registered Partnerships, aligning with common corporate structures for scalable ventures.
• The startup must have been incorporated within the specific eligible period stipulated by the Haryana Startup Policy 2022, ensuring the program targets genuinely early-stage companies.
• Applicants are required to secure a recommendation from a recognized incubator operating in Haryana or obtain explicit approval from the Empowered Committee, which is a key decision-making body under the Haryana Startup Policy 2022. This ensures a level of validation and mentorship from established ecosystem players.
• Critically, the startup must not have previously received similar seed funding from any other state or central government scheme, preventing duplication of benefits and ensuring wider distribution of support.

Eligible entity types: Private Limited, LLP, Partnership

Benefits & funding

• Provides a non-dilutive, non-repayable seed grant of up to Rs.
• 1,000,000) to cover product development, prototype creation, market validation, and initial operational costs including hiring and legal setup.
• The process also offers validation and indirect mentorship via required incubator recommendation or Empowered Committee approval.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana, in your own name.

1. 1

   Applications submitted via the Invest Haryana portal undergo a thorough review and sanction process by the Empowered Committee.

2. 2

   Evaluation is based on innovation, market potential, team capability, and financial viability, often involving presentations or interviews with applicants.

Documents checklist 5

• Startup Details
• DPIIT Certificate
• Incubator Recommendation
• Project Proposal
• Financial Plan

Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.

Frequently asked questions