FoodTech grants for startups

20 grants, prizes and schemes written for FoodTech startups. Grants open to every sector are on the main grants page.

Open all yearSubsidy
Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres Scheme (AC&ABC)
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (training by MANAGE, subsidy via NABARD)
36% of project cost (44% for women, SC/ST, North East and hill states) on projects up to ₹20 lakh individual or ₹1 crore groupTraining plus credit linked subsidy for agriculture graduates starting agri ventures
Open all yearSubsidy
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
3% interest subvention on the bank loan. Credit guarantee for MSMEs.3% interest subvention on bank loans for dairy, meat, feed and breeding businesses
Open all yearPrize
Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize
Curt Bergfors Foundation
USD 1.5 million to the winner; USD 150,000 to each finalistLarge prize for proven food system solutions, open to nominations all year
Open all yearReimbursement
Export Promotion Mission: LIFT Freight Reimbursement
Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Department of Commerce
30% of eligible freight cost. Up to ₹20 lakh a year per exporter.Refunds part of export freight for MSMEs in North East, Himalayan states and Bihar
Open all yearGrant
Grant for Agroecology Program (GAP) Fund
ACCESS Development Services
Business grant for projects up to ₹2 crore. You co-fund 30%.Business grants for producer companies and small firms building agroecology value chains
Opening soonSubsidy
National Livestock Mission: Entrepreneurship Development
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
50% capital subsidy, up to ₹50 lakh (sheep, goat, fodder); about ₹25 lakh poultry, ₹30 lakh piggeryCapital subsidy to set up poultry, sheep, goat, piggery or fodder enterprises
Open all yearGrant
PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) Performance Grants
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Up to ₹35 lakh (micro) or ₹75 lakh (small); more for women and SC/ST ownersPerformance grants for fisheries businesses that invest in value chains, food safety and jobs
Open all yearGrant
RKVY-RAFTAAR Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Programme
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Up to ₹5 lakh at idea stage. Up to ₹25 lakh at seed stage. Students: up to ₹4 lakh.Grants for agriculture and allied startups, from idea to seed stage
Open all yearReimbursement
Uttar Pradesh ODOC Marketing Development Assistance
MSME and Export Promotion Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh
75% of costs, up to ₹10 lakh a year. Trade fair costs are covered separately.Refund of fair, branding, certification, packaging and e-commerce costs for ODOC food businesses
Open all yearSubsidy
Uttar Pradesh One District One Cuisine (ODOC) Margin Money Scheme
MSME and Export Promotion Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh
25% of project cost, up to ₹6.25 lakh. Larger projects get up to ₹50 lakh.Margin money grant on bank loans for businesses making a district's listed cuisine
Open all yearGrant
WFP Innovation Accelerator Challenge
UN World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator
Up to USD 100,000Equity-free funding for a six-month sprint on hunger and food systems
ClosedGrant
Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP)
BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology
Amount set per project (cost shared with the company)Cost shared grant for high risk, breakthrough biotech product and process development
ClosedLoan
BIRAC Product Commercialization Program Fund (PCP Fund)
BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology
Amount set per project. Startup pays at least 30% of cost. Repaid as royalty over 5 years.Royalty-repaid funding to launch market-ready biotech products at TRL 7 or above
ClosedGrant
DBS Foundation Grant Programme
DBS Foundation (DBS Bank)
Up to SGD 250,000 per businessGrants for social enterprises and SMEs improving essential needs or inclusion
ClosedGrant
DBT-BIRAC BioE3 Biomanufacturing Joint Calls
Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC, Ministry of Science and Technology
Amount set per projectThemed R&D funding calls for biomanufacturing projects under the BioE3 policy
ClosedGrant
Kemin and Venture Center CSR Grant (One Health)
Kemin Industries South Asia (CSR), run by Venture Center Pune
Up to ₹5 lakh per granteeGrants for sustainable ingredients, food, feed, nutrition and animal health
ClosedGrant
Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI)
BIRAC, Department of Biotechnology
Amount set per projectEarly stage, high risk biotech R&D by small companies, from pre proof of concept to product
ClosedSubsidy
Tamil Nadu Agri-Tech Grant Scheme
Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, Government of Tamil Nadu (with StartupTN) Tamil Nadu
Amount set per projectSubsidy for agri tech startups working on crops, livestock or fisheries
ClosedGrant
Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge
UNDP India and Citi Foundation, with Atal Innovation Mission; run by T-Hub
₹3.5 lakh (winners), ₹2.2 lakh (runners up)Seed grants and bootcamp for youth-led startups working on the SDGs
ClosedPrize
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Zayed Sustainability Prize (UAE, managed by Masdar)
USD 1 million per category winnerPrize for SMEs and non-profits with working sustainability solutions

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FoodTech grants for startups

Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres Scheme (AC&ABC)

Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)

Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize

Export Promotion Mission: LIFT Freight Reimbursement

Grant for Agroecology Program (GAP) Fund

National Livestock Mission: Entrepreneurship Development

PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) Performance Grants

RKVY-RAFTAAR Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Programme

Uttar Pradesh ODOC Marketing Development Assistance

Uttar Pradesh One District One Cuisine (ODOC) Margin Money Scheme

WFP Innovation Accelerator Challenge

Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP)

BIRAC Product Commercialization Program Fund (PCP Fund)

DBS Foundation Grant Programme

DBT-BIRAC BioE3 Biomanufacturing Joint Calls

Kemin and Venture Center CSR Grant (One Health)

Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI)

Tamil Nadu Agri-Tech Grant Scheme

Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge

Zayed Sustainability Prize