Rajasthan iStart Seed Grant & School/College Startup Post-Seed Programme 2026

The Government of Rajasthan, through its flagship iStart initiative, aims to bolster the entrepreneurial spirit within the state. By providing critical financial assistance in the form of seed grants and innovation vouchers, the programme helps early-stage startups and student entrepreneurs bridge the gap from concept to commercialization.

What is this scheme?

The iStart Seed Grant and Voucher programme is a financial support mechanism designed by the Department of Information Technology & Communication (DoIT&C). It provides non-equity grants to startups registered on the iStart Rajasthan portal. The programme is categorized into various stages including Idea/Prototype, MVP, and Scale-up, focusing on fostering innovation in school and college campuses as well as among professional founders.

Who is eligible?

• The startup must be registered and recognized under the iStart Rajasthan program.
• The startup must have a valid QRID (Unique ID) issued by iStart.
• Must be a resident of Rajasthan or have a registered office within the state.
• For school/college students, the educational institution must be located in Rajasthan.
• The startup should have a unique business model or innovative technology-driven solution.

How much money?

Idea/Prototype stage grants up to ₹2-5 Lakhs; Sustainability/Scale-up grants as per latest notification (verify on official portal); Special incentives for women-led startups.

Documents needed

1. Aadhaar Card of founders
2. Jan Aadhaar Card
3. Startup Registration Certificate (iStart)
4. Project Report or Pitch Deck
5. Bank Account details (linked to Jan Aadhaar)
6. Proof of Age (for school/college startup category)

How to apply (step by step)

1. Register your startup on the official iStart Rajasthan portal (istart.rajasthan.gov.in).
2. Apply for the 'Qrate' ranking to get evaluated by the assessment committee.
3. Once ranked, navigate to the 'Fund Requests' or 'Seed Grant' section on the dashboard.
4. Upload the required pitch deck and project timeline documents.
5. Present the idea before the Evaluation Committee if shortlisted.
6. Upon approval, the grant or voucher is disbursed directly to the bank account in installments based on milestones.

Important dates

Conclusion

The iStart Rajasthan Seed Grant program is an exceptional opportunity for innovators to scale their ideas without the immediate pressure of external equity. Whether you are a student with a classroom project or a founder with a Minimum Viable Product, this scheme provides the necessary financial runway to succeed.