MeitY has opened applications for GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence Cohort 3, also called GENESIS EIR 3.0. The programme offers financial support of up to Rs. 10 lakh to early-stage innovators, students, researchers and startup founders who are building technology-led ideas.

The programme was launched at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit, Coimbatore Edition, held at Rathinam Global University on August 4, 2026. Applications are open from August 4 to September 3, 2026.

What is GENESIS EIR 3.0

GENESIS EIR 3.0 is part of MeitY’s wider Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups scheme. The larger GENESIS scheme has a budget outlay of Rs. 490 crore and focuses on growing the startup ecosystem in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

The EIR part is meant for people who are still in the early stage of building. They may have an idea, proof of concept, prototype, MVP or early validation, but may not yet have enough funding, mentoring or incubation support.

In simple words, this programme helps promising tech founders move from “I have an idea” to “I have something I can test in the market.”

Aim of the programme

The main aim of GENESIS EIR 3.0 is to support technology startups outside the usual metro startup hubs. Many talented founders in smaller cities do not get easy access to investors, mentors, labs, networks or early grants.

This programme tries to reduce that gap. It gives selected innovators funding, incubation access, expert guidance and help with product development.

For example, a student in Coimbatore building an AI tool for farmers, or a young founder in Bhilai working on an IoT device for factories, may use this support to build a prototype, test it with users and prepare for the next stage.

Who can apply

GENESIS EIR 3.0 is open to Indian citizens who are aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage innovators, students, researchers, startup founders or co-founders.

The idea should be in electronics, IT, ICT or deep-tech areas. Focus sectors include AI and machine learning, IoT, semiconductor and VLSI, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum technologies, AR and VR, spatial technologies and other emerging technology fields.

The innovation should generally be at Technology Readiness Level 1 to 4. In simple words, this means the idea can be at concept, proof of concept, prototype, MVP or early testing stage.

The startup should be based in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city. If already incorporated, it should be less than two years old on the application date. The applicant should also not have received more than Rs. 10 lakh from any central or state government scheme for the same idea or startup.

What support will selected founders get

Selected applicants can receive up to Rs. 10 lakh in financial assistance. They will also get incubation support through participating GENESIS incubators.

The programme includes one-on-one mentoring, product development support, MVP building help, prototype guidance, market validation support and ecosystem connections.

This matters because early-stage founders often need more than money. They need someone to help them sharpen the product, understand customers, prepare a business plan and avoid basic mistakes.

How to apply

Applicants can apply online through the MeitY Startup Hub portal. The official application window is open until September 3, 2026.

Before applying, founders should prepare a clear note about their idea, problem statement, target users, technology stage, team background, product plan and how the solution can become a startup.

Similar programmes

GENESIS EIR 3.0 sits in the same broad support space as Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, Atal Innovation Mission, TIDE 2.0 and state-level startup grants. Its sharper focus is on early tech innovators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

GENESIS EIR 3.0 is a useful opportunity for early-stage tech founders who need funding and guidance before approaching larger investors.

The programme offers up to Rs. 10 lakh support, mentoring and incubation access. It is best suited for founders building in AI, IoT, semiconductors, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum tech, AR/VR and other emerging technology areas.

Facts Input- PIB, MeitY-GENESIS, MeitY Startup Hub application portal

Micromax Informatics has launched a Rs. 250 crore family office to invest in deep-tech startups in India and global markets. The move marks a fresh chapter for the homegrown electronics company, which is now looking beyond smartphones and consumer devices.

The new investment platform will support startups working in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, defence technology, space technology and robotics. These are not easy sectors. They need more time, deeper research, stronger engineering and patient capital.

What Micromax wants to do

Micromax wants to back startups that are building difficult but useful technologies. Deep-tech simply means technology based on serious science, engineering or hardware innovation.

For example, a startup building a defence drone, a chip design platform, a robotic system for factories, or a satellite component may need years of testing before it becomes a large business. Such companies often need more than money. They need manufacturing help, industry contacts, supply-chain access and technical guidance.

This is where Micromax believes it can add value.

Micromax background

Micromax Informatics was founded in 2000. Its key co-founders include Rahul Sharma, Rajesh Agarwal, Sumeet Kumar and Vikas Jain.

The company became widely known in India for affordable mobile phones and later expanded into electronics, manufacturing and newer technology businesses. Its wider group includes Bhagwati Products and MiPhi Semiconductors, which may help selected startups with manufacturing and semiconductor-related support.

Purpose of the Rs. 250 crore family office

The family office will mainly invest in startups from pre-Series A to Series B stage. That means it will support companies that are past the idea stage but still need capital to build, test, scale and sell their products.

Reports suggest the average initial cheque size may be around Rs. 10 crore to Rs. 20 crore. Micromax has already started deploying capital across its focus sectors.

The purpose is not only to earn financial returns. The move also fits India’s larger push to build more local capability in chips, defence, space and advanced manufacturing.

Why this move matters

Many deep-tech founders struggle because their products take longer to commercialize. A software app can sometimes launch in months. A semiconductor or robotics company may need labs, parts, certifications, factory partnerships and long customer trials.

If Micromax can give startups access to its manufacturing knowledge and supply-chain network, the support can be practical. A young robotics startup, for instance, may know how to build a prototype but may not know how to produce 5,000 units reliably. That is where an industrial backer can help.

Competitors and similar players

Micromax’s family office will operate in a space where other investors are also backing deep-tech and frontier-tech startups. These include Speciale Invest, pi Ventures, Industrial47, Ankur Capital, YourNest, Blume Ventures and Udtara Ventures.

The difference for Micromax could be its hardware and manufacturing background. If used well, that can make it more than just a financial investor.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

Micromax’s Rs. 250 crore family office is a clear bet on India’s next wave of hard technology startups.

The aim is to support founders building in AI, semiconductors, defence, space and robotics. The purpose of the move is to combine capital with manufacturing support, industry access and scale-up guidance.

If the strategy works, Micromax could help young deep-tech companies move from lab ideas to real products used in India and abroad.

Facts Input- India Manufacturing Review

India’s deep-tech startup ecosystem is becoming more serious, and IIIT-Hyderabad is playing an important role in that journey. The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or CIE, at IIIT-Hyderabad has selected five deep-tech startups for the Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026.

This is not a normal startup accelerator where founders only attend pitch sessions and networking events. Avishkar is built for startups that are working on difficult technology problems. These may include artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, medtech, mobility, AR/VR, NLP and other research-heavy areas.

The selected five startups are expected to go through a six-month venture studio journey at CIE-IIIT Hyderabad. During this period, they will get access to mentoring, IIIT-Hyderabad faculty, labs, go-to-market support, investor networks and possible seed funding.

What is Avishkar Venture Studio

Avishkar Venture Studio is a deep-tech acceleration programme run by CIE at IIIT-Hyderabad. It is designed for startups that already have a proof of concept, early product or basic MVP.

In simple words, it supports founders who have moved beyond just an idea but still need help turning their technology into a real business.

The programme focuses on startups working in emerging technology areas such as AI, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, NLP, AR/VR, medtech, mobility and mediatech.

According to CIE’s public programme details, Avishkar offers a six-month structured journey. Startups may get up to Rs. 10 lakh seed funding, research connections with IIIT-Hyderabad faculty and labs, go-to-market guidance, revenue modelling support, business planning help, mentor access and investor connections.

The official Avishkar page also mentions that depending on the startup’s stage, pitch and technical validation, seed funding support can go up to Rs. 40 lakh.

Why these five startups matter

The five startups selected for the Summer Cohort 2026 represent a broader shift in Indian entrepreneurship. More founders are now building hard technology products, not just consumer apps or simple software tools.

Deep-tech startups usually solve complex problems. A robotics startup may build machines that work in factories or warehouses. A medtech startup may create a diagnostic device. A mobility startup may work on safer roads, autonomous systems or vehicle intelligence. An AI startup may build tools that understand images, language or large business data.

These ideas take longer to build, but they can create deeper value.

That is why CIE-IIIT Hyderabad’s support matters. A founder building in deep tech often needs access to researchers, labs, testing support, technical mentors and patient investors. Avishkar brings these pieces closer together.

These startups are-

1. Comply Ark Solution Private Limited – It is developing an AI-enabled DPDPA compliance platform.
2. L2 Aero – It is building an AI-powered subsurface detection platform for defence and infrastructure.
3. Mimansa Play – It is creating an AI-powered speech development platform for children.
4. SentraAuth Technologies – It is developing an AI-powered continuous authentication platform using behavioral biometrics.
5. Stylique AI Private Limited (Yoko Styles) – It is building an AI-powered fashion design platform that transforms ideas into production-ready sewing patterns.

What kind of startups Avishkar supports

Avishkar’s Summer Cohort 2026 call focused on proof-of-concept-stage startups in deep-tech and deep-IP areas.

Deep-IP means the startup is not just reselling technology or building a simple interface. It is creating its own technical knowledge, product architecture, algorithm, device, system or intellectual property.

The programme looked for startups in areas such as AI, robotics, computer vision, NLP, AR/VR, medtech, healthcare IT, diagnostics, mobility, road safety, human-machine interface, gaming, adtech and mediatech.

For example, a startup using computer vision to detect road accidents faster can fit into the mobility category. A company building an AI diagnostic tool for early disease screening can fit into medtech. A team creating AR/VR training tools may fit into mediatech or deep tech.

Why IIIT-Hyderabad is a strong fit

IIIT-Hyderabad has a strong research background in computer science, electronics, AI, language technologies, robotics, data engineering, cybersecurity, computer vision and related fields.

CIE at IIIT-Hyderabad was set up in 2008 and has grown into one of India’s important academic incubators. Its own public material says it has supported hundreds of startups over the years and works through incubators such as Avishkar for deep tech, Ojas for medtech and AIC-IIITH for social impact startups.

This research link is important. Deep-tech founders need more than general business advice. They need people who can challenge their technical assumptions and help them validate whether the product can actually work in the real world.

How the selected startups may benefit

The five startups selected for Avishkar Venture Studio can benefit in several practical ways.

First, they can get technical validation. If a startup is building an AI model, robot, medical tool or mobility product, expert review can help improve reliability.

Second, they can refine their business model. Many deep-tech founders know the technology well but struggle with pricing, customer discovery and sales.

Third, they can access IIIT-Hyderabad labs and faculty networks. This can help with prototyping, testing and research-backed product improvement.

Fourth, they can prepare for investors. Deep-tech investors usually ask tough questions about product risk, market size, timelines, patents, competition and customer readiness.

Fifth, they can build early industry connections. For startups, the first few customers or pilots are often harder than the technology itself.

Why this is important for India’s startup ecosystem

India has many software startups, but the country needs more companies that build original technology. Deep-tech startups can help India move from being a technology services market to a technology products market.

This matters in areas like healthcare, defence, mobility, semiconductors, robotics, manufacturing, climate, agriculture and public infrastructure.

For example, a medtech startup can build affordable diagnostic tools for smaller towns. A robotics startup can help Indian factories automate risky or repetitive work. A mobility startup can improve road safety using AI. These are practical problems with large Indian relevance.

Programmes like Avishkar help such founders move from lab thinking to market thinking.

Competitors and similar programmes

Avishkar operates in a growing deep-tech support ecosystem.

Other important programmes and incubators include T-Hub in Hyderabad, i-TIC Foundation at IIT Hyderabad, SINE at IIT Bombay, IIT Madras Incubation Cell, C-CAMP in Bengaluru, NASSCOM DeepTech Club, IKP Knowledge Park and various MeitY-backed startup programmes.

Avishkar’s advantage is its close connection with IIIT-Hyderabad’s research ecosystem. This can be especially useful for startups working in AI, computer vision, robotics, language technologies, AR/VR and data-led products.

Conclusion with key takeaways

CIE at IIIT-Hyderabad selecting five deep-tech startups for Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026 is a positive signal for India’s research-led startup ecosystem.

These startups are not only chasing quick digital growth. They are working on harder technology problems that need patient support, expert guidance and strong validation. Avishkar gives them a structured path to move from proof of concept to a stronger, investor-ready and market-ready business.

Key takeaways –

• CIE at IIIT-Hyderabad has selected five deep-tech startups for Avishkar Venture Studio Summer Cohort 2026.
• The programme runs for six months and supports proof-of-concept-stage startups.
• Focus areas include AI, robotics, computer vision, NLP, AR/VR, medtech, mobility and mediatech.
• Startups can access seed funding, IIIT-Hyderabad faculty, labs, mentors, go-to-market support and investor networks.
• The earlier article’s old cohort startup names have been removed to avoid mixing past Avishkar batches with the 2026 Summer Cohort.

Facts Input

Anicut Capital has launched a new Rs. 175 crore early-stage fund, giving India’s young startup ecosystem another pool of patient capital at a time when founders are becoming more careful about growth, costs, and profitability.

The fund is called Grand Anicut Seed Fund, or GASF. It is Anicut’s second early-stage fund and will focus on startups in consumer, enterprise technology, deep tech, and financial services. According to reports, the fund is nearing its first close after securing Rs. 65 crore from existing investors, mainly high-net-worth individuals.

For early-stage founders, this fund comes at an interesting time. The easy-money phase of startup funding is over. Investors now want stronger business models, better unit economics, and founders who can build with discipline. Anicut’s new fund seems built for exactly that kind of market.

Anicut Capital and its journey

Anicut Capital began its journey in 2015. The firm was founded by Ashvin Chadha and IAS Balamurugan, and started with a focus on private credit for growing Indian companies.

Over the years, Anicut has expanded into seed investments, growth equity, private credit, and late-stage equity. Its official website says the firm manages more than Rs. 3,500 crore in assets across different investment strategies.

The firm is known for backing companies across consumer, technology, food, finance, aerospace, and lifestyle sectors. Its portfolio has included names such as Agnikul Cosmos, Neeman’s, Blue Tokai, GalaxEye, The ePlane Company, ShareChat, Wow! Momo, SUGAR Cosmetics, and Bira 91.

That mix explains why Anicut is not positioning itself as a narrow tech-only investor. It appears more interested in businesses that can scale with strong fundamentals.

What the new Rs. 175 crore fund will do

The Grand Anicut Seed Fund will invest in around 20 startups. These companies will be at the pre-seed to Series A stage.

In simple words, the fund will support startups that are still young, but not always at the idea stage. Some may already have a product in the market. Some may have early customers. Some may be solving a difficult technology problem that needs capital before revenue becomes large.

The fund is expected to write cheques between Rs. 5 crore and Rs. 8 crore. This is meaningful money for a young startup. It can help a founder build the first team, improve the product, test customer demand, enter new markets, or prepare for a larger institutional funding round.

The fund also has a greenshoe option of Rs. 75 crore. A greenshoe option simply means the fund may raise extra capital beyond its original target if investor demand is strong.

Where the money will go

Anicut plans to invest in four broad areas.

1. The first is consumer startups. These may include brands selling food, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, personal care, home products, or new-age services. India’s consumer market is changing fast, especially as smaller cities buy more online and discover more branded products.
2. The second is enterprise technology. These are companies that sell software or technology tools to other businesses. For example, a startup may build software for accounting, supply-chain management, sales teams, factories, hospitals, or banks.
3. The third is deep tech. This is a more complex area. It includes startups working on serious engineering or science-led ideas such as space technology, drones, robotics, advanced manufacturing, climate technology, semiconductors, or AI-led infrastructure. These companies often need patient investors because product development can take longer.
4. The fourth is financial services. This may include fintech companies working on lending, payments, wealth, insurance, compliance, credit scoring, or tools for small businesses.

Why the fund matters for founders

Early-stage capital can be the difference between a strong idea staying small and becoming a real company.

For example, a deep-tech startup building a drone component may need money for research, testing, hiring engineers, and certifications before it can sell at scale. A consumer brand may need capital for packaging, inventory, distribution, marketing, and retail partnerships. A fintech startup may need to build secure technology and meet regulatory requirements before reaching customers.

In each case, the founder needs more than money. They need guidance, networks, and follow-on investor access.

Anicut’s seed fund page says its early-stage approach includes mentoring, monitoring, and connecting founders with business and capital networks. That matters because a first-time founder may know the product deeply but still need help with hiring, pricing, finance, legal structure, or fundraising.

The aim behind the fund

The main aim of Anicut Capital’s Rs. 175 crore fund is to back strong founders early and help them move from the “0 to 1” stage.

This phrase is common in startup investing, but the meaning is simple. It refers to the difficult early phase where a startup goes from an idea or early product to a working business with customers, revenue, and a clearer path.

Anicut partner Ajay Anand told ToI that the second fund aims to build on the firm’s earlier strategy by supporting founders with both capital and strategic help as they create new categories and long-term businesses.

The fund has already started deploying money and has closed three investments, all led by Anicut. That shows the fund is not only a plan on paper. It is already active in the market.

Competitors and market landscape

Anicut will compete with several early-stage investors in India.

Funds such as Blume Ventures, India Quotient, Titan Capital, 100X.VC, Together Fund, Arkam Ventures, Venture Highway, and early-stage arms of larger firms like Accel, Peak XV Partners, Lightspeed, and Matrix Partners India are active in this space.

Each investor has a slightly different style. Some focus more on software. Some like consumer brands. Some invest very early with smaller cheques. Others prefer startups that already have strong traction.

Anicut’s edge may come from its multi-asset experience. Since it works across debt, seed, growth equity, and late-stage investments, it can understand startups at different points of their journey. That can be useful for founders who may need different kinds of capital as they grow.

Still, the market is crowded. To stand out, Anicut will need to show that its portfolio companies can raise follow-on capital, grow sustainably, and build durable businesses.

What this says about India’s startup mood

The launch of this fund also tells us something about India’s startup market in 2026.

Investors are still interested in startups, but they are more selective. The focus has moved away from growth at any cost. Founders are now expected to show clearer revenue, better margins, and a practical plan for survival.

This is healthier for the ecosystem. It may reduce hype, but it can also create stronger companies.

A Rs. 175 crore fund may not sound huge when compared with billion-dollar global funds. But for early-stage Indian startups, it can still have real impact. If the fund backs around 20 companies with focused cheques, it can help a meaningful group of founders build from the ground up.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Anicut Capital’s Rs. 175 crore Grand Anicut Seed Fund arrives at a time when India’s startup ecosystem is becoming more mature and more careful.

The fund will target young companies in consumer, enterprise technology, deep tech, and financial services. With planned cheque sizes of Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 8 crore, it can give early founders enough room to build products, hire teams, and find stronger market fit.

For Anicut, this is also a deeper push into early-stage investing. The firm has already built experience across private credit, seed, growth equity, and late-stage investments. Now, with GASF, it is trying to catch promising companies earlier in their journey.

Key takeaways –

• Anicut Capital has launched its second early-stage fund, Grand Anicut Seed Fund.
• The fund has a target corpus of Rs. 175 crore and a greenshoe option of Rs. 75 crore.
• It is nearing first close after securing Rs. 65 crore from existing investors.
• The fund will back around 20 startups from pre-seed to Series A.
• Focus sectors include consumer, enterprise technology, deep tech, and financial services.
• Anicut Capital was founded by Ashvin Chadha and IAS Balamurugan and began its journey in 2015.

Facts Input- ToI

India’s early-stage startup market may be getting fresh capital at an important time. Aeravti Ventures is reportedly preparing its second fund with a target corpus of Rs. 250-300 crore. Separately, Aum Ventures has announced its $80 million India Innovation Fund II to back early-stage deep-tech startups.

This matters because many serious startups do not fail only because of weak ideas. They often struggle because early capital is limited, customer cycles are long, and investors want quick proof before the product is fully ready.

New funds like these can help founders working in deep-tech, biotech, agritech, enterprise technology, AI, robotics, semiconductors, climate tech and Bharat-focused businesses. These are not always fast-money sectors, but they can create long-term value for society.

What Aeravti Ventures is planning

Aeravti Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that has focused on deep-tech, biotech, agritech, enterprise-tech and Bharat-focused startups. Its first fund was announced in 2023, with cheque sizes reportedly ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. The firm’s co-founders include Shubham Jhuria and Rishabh Singh.

The second fund, reportedly targeting Rs. 250-300 crore, could give Aeravti more room to back new founders and support existing portfolio companies with follow-on capital. That follow-on support is important. A startup building a biotech platform, agri hardware product or enterprise AI tool may need more than one cheque before it reaches commercial scale.

What Aum Ventures’ India Innovation Fund II means

Aum Ventures’ $80 million India Innovation Fund II is aimed at early-stage deep-tech startups. Deep-tech usually means startups building serious technology based on research, engineering, science or defensible intellectual property. This can include AI infrastructure, robotics, space technology, climate hardware, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, health-tech, cybersecurity and industrial automation.

For India, this type of capital is important because deep-tech founders often need patient investors. Their products take longer to build, test and sell. But when they work, they can solve large problems and create global companies from India.

Why early-stage VC funds matter

Early-stage funds are often the first institutional believers in a startup. They invest when the company may still have a small team, early customers and an unfinished product. A founder building an EV battery system, for example, cannot grow only with laptop work. They need labs, testing, safety approvals, supply chains and pilot customers. A healthcare startup may need clinical validation. A robotics startup may need hardware prototypes.

This is where early-stage capital can make a real difference. It helps founders hire engineers, build products, run pilots and reach the next funding stage.

Impact on Indian startups

The biggest impact will be confidence. When more early-stage funds enter the market, founders feel encouraged to build harder companies, not just quick apps. India already has strong software talent. The next stage is building companies that combine software with science, hardware, manufacturing and domain knowledge.

Aeravti’s focus on Bharat markets can also help startups outside the usual metro bubble. Many real problems in India sit in agriculture, logistics, healthcare access, small business digitization and regional markets while Aum Ventures’ deep-tech focus can help founders who are trying to build export-ready technology from India.

What sectors may benefit

AI startups may get stronger backing, especially those building enterprise tools, voice systems, automation platforms and India-specific AI models.

• Climate-tech startups may benefit as India looks for cleaner energy, better batteries, green hydrogen and waste-to-energy solutions.
• Agritech startups may use capital to build tools for farmers, supply chains, soil testing, crop intelligence and farm automation.
• Biotech and health-tech startups may get support for diagnostics, precision medicine and affordable healthcare solutions.
• Defence and space-tech startups may also attract interest as India pushes self-reliance in strategic technology.

Competitors and market check

Aeravti Ventures and Aum Ventures will operate in a competitive early-stage funding market. Their peers include funds such as Speciale Invest, Pi Ventures, Seafund, Blume Ventures, 3one4 Capital, India Quotient, Accel, Peak XV’s Surge and others.

The competition is good for founders. More specialized funds mean better chances of finding investors who understand difficult sectors.

A deep-tech founder does not only need money. They need investors who understand long development cycles, regulatory approvals, customer pilots and technical risk.

What founders should watch

Founders should not choose investors only by fund size. They should look at fit. A good investor can help with hiring, customer introductions, future fundraising, governance and strategic decisions. A wrong investor may push for growth before the company is ready.

For early-stage startups, patient capital is very valuable. A founder building in biotech or hardware may need more time than a consumer app founder. Investors must understand that difference.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Aeravti Ventures’ planned Rs. 250-300 crore second fund and Aum Ventures’ $80 million India Innovation Fund II show that early-stage capital is still moving toward serious Indian innovation.

Key takeaways

• Aeravti Ventures is reportedly preparing its second fund with a target of Rs. 250-300 crore.
• Aum Ventures has announced an $80 million India Innovation Fund II for early-stage deep-tech startups.
• These funds can support startups in AI, biotech, agritech, climate tech, robotics, enterprise tech and Bharat markets.
• The biggest impact may be more patient capital for founders solving complex problems.

For startups, investor quality, sector understanding and follow-on support will matter as much as cheque size.

Facts Input- VCCircle and Entrackr