Government programmes (India)

KSUM grants: Kerala Startup Mission early-stage funding

Open applicationLast verified 15 October 2026

Credit amount (provider's words)

Idea Grant up to ₹3 lakh; Productisation up to ₹7 lakh; Women/Transgender Productisation up to ₹12 lakh; Market Acceleration up to ₹10 lakh; Scaleup up to ₹15 lakh

As stated by Kerala Startup Mission; not a guarantee. Kerala Startup Mission decides who is approved.

Apply on Kerala Startup Mission →Opens the official Kerala Startup Mission page. SuperLaunch earns nothing from this link.

Kerala Startup Mission's Early Stage Funding scheme gives Kerala-registered startups non-dilutive grants at each stage, from the ₹3 lakh Idea Grant to the ₹15 lakh Scaleup Grant. Women-led and transgender-led startups get a larger ₹12 lakh productisation grant. You need DPIIT recognition and a KSUM Unique ID, and KSUM says an Ernakulam RoC is mandatory to get all benefits.

Kerala Startup Mission's Early Stage Funding scheme gives Kerala-registered startups non-dilutive state grants, from idea stage through to scale-up. Separate grants cover each stage, with a larger productisation grant for women-led and transgender-led startups. The same page also lists KSUM loans and reimbursements.

What you get

Idea Grant: up to ₹3 lakh (validation, proof of concept, feasibility)
Productisation Grant: up to ₹7 lakh; Women/Transgender Productisation Grant: up to ₹12 lakh
Market Acceleration Grant: up to ₹10 lakh; Scaleup Grant: up to ₹15 lakh
Also listed: BCDD Grant up to ₹10 lakh (OBC/OEC-led), Startup India Grant up to ₹20 lakh, Seed Loan up to ₹15 lakh, Scaleup Seed Fund up to ₹25 lakh

Eligibility

Registered in Kerala: KSUM says choosing Ernakulam as RoC is 'mandatory … to avail all benefits'
Incorporated as a private limited company, partnership firm or LLP, less than 10 years old, with turnover under ₹100 crore in any previous year
DPIIT (Startup India) recognition and a KSUM Unique ID
Entities formed by splitting or reconstructing an existing business are excluded

How a KSUM grant works

Credit types and validity

Idea Grant: up to ₹3 lakh
Productisation Grant: up to ₹7 lakh
Women/Transgender Productisation Grant: up to ₹12 lakh
Market Acceleration Grant: up to ₹10 lakh
Scaleup Grant: up to ₹15 lakh
Also listed: BCDD Grant up to ₹10 lakh, Startup India Grant up to ₹20 lakh, Seed Loan up to ₹15 lakh, Scaleup Seed Fund up to ₹25 lakh

How the credits are applied and when they expire

These are cash grants, not credits. Pick the grant for your stage on the Early Stage Funding page, click 'View Details' then 'Apply Now', and apply with your KSUM Unique ID. Grants do not have to be repaid and take no equity; the Seed Loan and Scaleup Seed Fund on the same page are separate loan products.

For founders in India

Kerala only: incorporate as a private limited company, partnership firm or LLP with Ernakulam as RoC, be under 10 years old with turnover under ₹100 crore in any previous year, and hold DPIIT recognition plus a KSUM Unique ID.

How to apply, step by step

Incorporate with the MCA, choosing Ernakulam as the RoC
Get DPIIT recognition through Startup India
Register on Start in Kerala (startupmission.kerala.gov.in/pages/startinkerala) to get your KSUM Unique ID
Open the Early Stage Funding page, pick the grant for your stage, and click 'View Details' and then 'Apply Now'

Documents and details to keep ready

Certificate of incorporation / CIN (Ernakulam RoC)
DPIIT recognition number
KSUM Unique ID
KSUM does not publish a per-grant document list on this page

Common reasons applications are declined

Entities formed by splitting or reconstructing an existing business are excluded

Tips before you apply

Choose Ernakulam as your RoC at incorporation; KSUM calls it mandatory for all benefits
Get DPIIT recognition and register on Start in Kerala for your Unique ID before applying
Apply for the grant that matches your current stage, from Idea to Scaleup
Women- or transgender-led startups should check the ₹12 lakh productisation grant

Terms to know

Grants do not have to be repaid and take no equity
Nidhi Prayas, Patent Reimbursement and Technology Transfer were marked 'Coming Soon' at time of check

Frequently asked questions

How much is the KSUM Idea Grant?

Up to ₹3 lakh, for validation, proof of concept and feasibility.

What is the largest KSUM early-stage grant?

The Scaleup Grant, up to ₹15 lakh. The page also lists a Startup India Grant up to ₹20 lakh and a Scaleup Seed Fund up to ₹25 lakh.

Who is eligible for KSUM grants?

Kerala-registered private limited companies, partnership firms or LLPs under 10 years old, with turnover under ₹100 crore in any previous year, DPIIT recognition and a KSUM Unique ID.

Do KSUM grants need to be repaid?

No. Grants are non-repayable and take no equity. Seed Loan is a separate loan product.

How do I get a KSUM Unique ID?

Checked against Kerala Startup Mission's own pages on 15 October 2026. Official sources:

Spotted an outdated detail? Tell us through the contact page.

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