Rajasthan iStart Seed Grant and Voucher Programme: Support for Early-Stage Startups
Explore the Rajasthan iStart Seed Grant and Voucher Programme. Learn about eligibility, funding amounts of up to 5 lakhs for seed and 2 lakhs for vouchers, and
The Government of Rajasthan, through its flagship iStart initiative, aims to bolster the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The iStart Seed Grant and Voucher Programme is designed to provide immediate moral and financial impetus to innovative startups at their nascent stages, ensuring that lack of capital does not hinder the transformation of a great idea into a scalable business.
What is this scheme?
The iStart Seed Grant and Voucher Programme is a financial support scheme under the Department of Information Technology & Communication (DoIT&C), Rajasthan. It provides monthly sustenance allowances, seed funding, and reimbursement vouchers to QR-rated startups registered on the iStart portal. The scheme is categorized into sustenance allowances for founders and specific tool/service vouchers to reduce initial operational costs.
Who is eligible?
- The startup must be registered under the iStart Rajasthan initiative.
- The entity must have a valid QR Rating (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Signature).
- At least one founder must be a resident of Rajasthan or the business must be headquartered in Rajasthan.
- The startup should be in the ideation or MVP (Minimum Viable Product) stage for specific grant categories.
- Must be recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) preferably.
How much money?
As per latest notification, verify on official portal. Generally, Seed funding ranges up to INR 5,00,000 for equity-free grants, and Vouchers are applicable up to INR 2,00,000 for specific services like cloud, legal, and marketing.
Documents needed
- iStart ID and QR Rating Certificate
- Certificate of Incorporation or Partnership Deed
- Detailed Project Report (DPR) or Pitch Deck
- PAN and Aadhar cards of founders
- Bank account details (Cancelled Cheque)
- Proof of Rajasthan residency for founders
How to apply (step by step)
- Register the startup on the official iStart Rajasthan portal.
- Complete the profile and undergo the evaluation process to receive a QR Rating.
- Log in to the iStart dashboard and navigate to the 'Apply for Funding' section.
- Select 'Seed Grant' or 'Voucher' depending on the requirement.
- Upload the required documents and submit the pitch deck for committee review.
- Attend the evaluation committee meeting (if shortlisted) to present the startup.
- Upon approval, funds are disbursed directly to the startup's bank account.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Cycle | Open throughout the year |
| Evaluation Period | Quarterly or as determined by the DoIT&C committee |
Conclusion
The Rajasthan iStart Seed Grant and Voucher Programme is a game-changer for state-based entrepreneurs. By offering equity-free financial support and essential service vouchers, the Rajasthan government is actively reducing the barriers to entry for new businesses, fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance.
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