Women/Transgender Productization Grant

• Women or transgender-led Kerala startups converting an MVP to product.

About this scheme

The Women/Transgender Productization Grant, offered by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), is specifically designed to empower women and transgender-led startups. KSUM, a pioneering government agency, plays a vital role in fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem within Kerala, offering various support mechanisms, including incubation, mentorship, and financial grants, to nurture innovative ventures. This grant provides crucial financial assistance to help these ventures transition their Minimum Viable Prototype (MVP) into a fully market-ready product. It serves as an additional support mechanism, supplementing the standard Productization Grant, and is structured to meet specific government norms regarding founder shareholding.

Eligible startups can receive financial assistance of up to Rs. 5 lakhs. This funding is disbursed in milestone-based tranches, adhering to KSUM's guidelines, which ensures that funds are released based on demonstrated progress towards predefined product development milestones. This phased approach encourages accountability and effective utilization of funds, directly linking disbursement to tangible achievements.

The funding is intended to cover expenses directly related to product development, validation, and achieving early market readiness. However, certain expenses are explicitly excluded to ensure focused utilization: these include founder salaries, the purchase of fixed assets like land, buildings, or high-end equipment exceeding Rs. 2 lakhs, rent, and major infrastructure setup. This targeted approach ensures the grant focuses purely on essential, product-centric development activities.

Who can apply

• To be eligible for this grant, a startup must be actively engaged in the Product Development stage, moving beyond an MVP towards a market-ready product.
• A foundational requirement is that women or transgender founder(s) must collectively hold a minimum of 51% shareholding in the startup, ensuring direct leadership from the target beneficiaries.
• Applicants must possess a valid KSUM Unique ID, confirming their registration and recognition within the Kerala Startup Mission ecosystem.
• The startup must be formally incorporated as a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd), a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), or a One Person Company (OPC) and maintain an active status with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
• Startups that have previously secured a KSUM Scale-up Grant are not eligible, allowing for a broader distribution of support across different startup growth phases.
• Finally, the founder responsible for pitching to the Expert Committee must be a woman or transgender individual, capable of effectively presenting the product's key features, market potential, and strategic vision.

Eligible entity types: Private Limited, LLP

Benefits & funding

• 5 lakhs financial assistance, disbursed in milestone-based tranches, to cover product development, validation, and early market readiness expenses.
• Targets women/transgender-led startups.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Kerala Startup Mission, in your own name.

1. 1

   Submit proposals via KSUM website.

2. 2

   Initial screening by KSUM officials.

3. 3

   Shortlisted startups pitch to an Expert Committee, evaluated on team, product, market, financials.

4. 4

   Final approval by KSUM CEO/Chairman.

Documents checklist 8

• CA-certified No Dues & Margin Money Certificate with UDIN
• Revenue/Investment Proof
• Incorporation Documents
• PAN Card
• KSUM Unique ID
• Bank Details
• Balance Sheet for Last Two Years
• Stamp Paper

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

Frequently asked questions