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The complete guide for founders

MeitY GENESIS Pilot 2.0 gives startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities up to ₹40 lakh to deliver a pilot purchase order. This guide covers who can apply, how the money works, what counts as a valid order, how to complete the application, and which incubators are open. The call closes on 30 October 2026.

Quick links:  Check your eligibility   |   See open incubators

Key facts

Funding	Up to ₹40 lakh
Equity cap	3% of fully diluted post-money
Pilot PO or WO	₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore
Disbursement	May take 4 to 5 months from the call
Call opened	30 September 2026
Call closes	30 October 2026

In short

MeitY GENESIS Pilot 2.0 funds DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated in Tier-II and Tier-III cities that are one to five years old, have an MVP or working prototype and hold a pilot PO or WO of ₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore from an eligible, independent partner. Funding is up to ₹40 lakh, sized to the verified cost of delivering the order, and the incubator’s equity is capped at 3%. You apply on the MeitY Startup Hub portal through an implementing incubator. The call opened on 30 September 2026 and closes on 30 October 2026.

What GENESIS Pilot 2.0 is

GENESIS is a MeitY Startup Hub programme that supports early-stage technology startups outside the large metros. The Pilot stream pays for the cost of delivering a first real order, so the startup can prove its product with a paying partner instead of building on speculation. Applications go through implementing incubators, which screen them first and hold the equity on behalf of MeitY Startup Hub.

Who can apply

You can apply if your startup meets all of these tests:

• DPIIT-recognised
• Incorporated in a Tier-II or Tier-III city
• One to five years old
• At least 51% Indian founders
• An MVP or working prototype
• At least one full-time founder
• A PO or WO of ₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore from an eligible, independent partner

Financial limits: cumulative revenue within ₹1.5 crore, prior government funding within ₹40 lakh and prior private funding within ₹1.5 crore. Startups in TIDE 2.0 Scale-up, SAMRIDH, the GENESIS Investment Component or an ongoing EIR cohort are not eligible.

Read the full eligibility guide → https://www.saaply.com/meity-genesis-2-0-2026-eligibility

Not sure you qualify? Test your numbers with the eligibility checker.

How the funding works

The grant is not a fixed ₹40 lakh. It is capped at ₹40 lakh and sized to the verified cost of delivering your PO or WO. The incubator takes equity of no more than 3% of the fully diluted post-money. Disbursement may take 4 to 5 months from the call, so plan your delivery cash flow before you apply.

The pilot PO or WO

The order is the centre of the application. It must be worth ₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore, come from an eligible partner that is independent of your startup, and cover your own product. An LoI or MoU can be submitted at the application stage, but if you are shortlisted you need a valid PO or WO before the Evaluation Committee meets.

How to apply

Choose your incubators first, because the form asks for two preferences and both are required. Prepare your documents, complete the portal form, save a draft, and submit at least a day before the deadline. Incubator notices say the call closes at 11:59 PM on 30 October 2026, although the portal can display the time differently, so do not wait for the last hour.

The application form and pitch deck

The portal form has three parts: startup details, IP, revenue and valuation, and the PO or WO section, followed by a declaration. If you are shortlisted, you present with the MSH Pilot pitch template. The fund ask is a maximum of ₹40 lakh against approved heads such as R&D and customisation, raw materials and components, manpower, and certification and testing.

Which incubators are open

Many implementing incubators are accepting Pilot 2.0 applications, each with its own city, status and deadline. Most list 30 October 2026. A few have not announced a date, and some earlier-round incubators are closed. Shortlist incubators from the tracker, ideally in your region, and read each notice, because some add their own steps.

See who is open now → Incubator tracker

Guides and tools

Guides in this series

• Eligibility: the eight tests, in plain language
• Incubators: city, state, status and deadline

Tools

Tool	What it does	Link
Incubator tracker	Filter open incubators by status and state	Open the tracker
Eligibility checker	Test your numbers against the published rules	Check your eligibility

• Funding Board: grants, accelerators and incubation programmes beyond GENESIS (on saaply.com)

Frequently asked questions

What is MeitY GENESIS Pilot 2.0?

MeitY GENESIS Pilot 2.0 is a funding call that gives eligible startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities up to ₹40 lakh to deliver a pilot purchase order. Applications go through implementing incubators on the MeitY Startup Hub portal.

What is the last date to apply?

The last date to apply is 30 October 2026, and the call opened on 30 September 2026. Incubator notices say it closes at 11:59 PM, but the portal may show the time differently, so submit at least a day early.

How much funding can a startup get?

A startup can get up to ₹40 lakh, sized to the verified cost of delivering its PO or WO. The amount is not fixed, so the figure in the current call is the one that applies.

How much equity does the incubator take?

The incubator’s equity is capped at 3% of the fully diluted post-money.

Which startups are eligible?

A startup must be DPIIT-recognised, incorporated in a Tier-II or Tier-III city, one to five years old, at least 51% Indian-owned, have an MVP and a full-time founder, and hold a PO or WO of ₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore.

Can I apply with an LoI or MoU instead of a PO?

Yes, an LoI or MoU can be submitted at the application stage. If you are shortlisted, you need a valid PO or WO before the Evaluation Committee.

How long does disbursement take?

Disbursement may take 4 to 5 months from the call.

How many incubators can I choose?

The form asks for two incubator preferences, and both are required.

Source of information

• GENESIS Pilot 2.0 application form, MeitY Startup Hub portal
• GENESIS “Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups” brochure, MeitY Startup Hub
• GENESIS Pilot Funding Program FAQ (earlier round)
• Pilot 2.0 announcements from the implementing incubators listed on the incubators page

Last updated 9 October 2026.

Brought to you by our Partner – SAAply www.saaply.com Eligibility checker   |   Incubator tracker

Disclaimer

All content is based on official MeitY Startup Hub documents and the announcements of implementing incubators, available in the public domain. SAAply does not modify, interpret beyond explanation, or add claims not present in those sources. SAAply is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, MeitY Startup Hub or any incubator. Deadlines, eligibility and funding terms can change, and SAAply cannot guarantee funding or selection. Confirm the current rules on the official portal and with your incubator before you apply.