Young Innovators Programme (YIP), K-DISC

Open now Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), Government of Kerala Kerala

Prize

₹25,000 per district winning team; ₹50,000 per state winning team

What it funds: Innovation contest for Kerala school and college students, with cash for district and state winners
Who can apply: School or college students in Kerala, as teams
Registered on the YIP portal, usually through the school or college
No company needed
When you can apply: Open nowNo fixed deadline
How to apply: Sign up as a student team on the YIP portal, usually through your school or college
Best for: Idea, Prototype stage
Run by: State governments

Kerala Assistance Scheme for Handicrafts Artisans (ASHA)Up to ₹5 lakh in total. 40% of fixed capital, up to ₹3 lakh. 40% of working capital, up to ₹2 lakh. Women, SC/ST, divyang and youth (18 to 45) get 50%, up to ₹7.5 lakh. Open all year
Kerala Entrepreneur Support Scheme (ESS)15% of fixed investment, up to ₹30 lakh. 25% for young, women, SC/ST or NRK founders. Max ₹40 lakh. Open all year
KFC Startup Kerala Loan Scheme (Kerala Financial Corporation)Loans by stage: ₹25 lakh productisation, ₹50 lakh commercialisation, ₹2 crore scale-up. Interest from 6.6%. Open all year
KSIDC Scale Up Funding for StartupsUp to ₹1 crore at 7%, max 70% of project cost Open all year
KSIDC WE Funding (Women Entrepreneur Funding)Up to ₹50 lakh at 7.5% interest. Covers up to 80% of project cost. Open all year
KSUM International and National Exposure Programme (Kerala)Up to ₹2 lakh per event, ₹5 lakh over three years Open all year