How to Get Funding as a Student Founder in India (Complete Guide 2025)

Top Funding Options for Student Founders in India (2025)

Program	Funding	Best For	Equity-Free?
StudioK HackHouse	Up to $500K	IIT founders, AI B2B	No (equity)
Campus Fund	₹1-8 Cr	Student-only startups	No (equity)
WTFund Young Founder	₹20L	Founders under 25	Yes (grant)
NIDHI-PRAYAS	₹10L	Prototype stage	Yes (grant)
Startup India Seed Fund	₹20-50L	DPIIT-registered	Varies
100X.VC	$250K	Pre-seed, any sector	No (iSAFE)
Together Fund	Up to $1M	AI startups	No (equity)
Google + Accel AI	Up to $2M	AI-driven startups	No (equity)
Venture Catalysts	Seed	Any sector	No (equity)

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1. StudioK HackHouse (Best for IIT Founders)

The most comprehensive founder program in India for IIT students and graduates:

StudioK

• Funding: Up to $500,000 USD
• Stipend: Yes (monthly)
• Housing: Yes (Mumbai HackHouse, 12 months)
• Focus: IIT students/graduates building AI-native B2B startups
• Duration: 12 months (longest founder residency in India)
• Why apply: Only program offering housing + stipend + up to $500K
• Apply: studiok.dev/nominate

What makes StudioK different:

• All-inclusive housing in Mumbai (worth ₹15-20L/year)
• Monthly stipend so you can focus on building
• Hands-on daily support (not just weekly office hours)
• Access to customers and distribution
• IIT-exclusive community of founders

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2. Government Grants (Free Money)

NIDHI Prayas

• Amount: Up to ₹10 lakhs
• Equity: None (it's a grant)
• Eligibility: Students/graduates working on innovative ideas
• How to apply: Through IIT/NIT incubators

NIDHI Seed Support

• Amount: Up to ₹1 crore
• Equity: None (convertible option sometimes)
• Eligibility: Incubated startups
• How to apply: Through recognized incubators

Startup India Seed Fund

• Amount: Up to ₹50 lakhs
• Equity: Varies
• Eligibility: DPIIT-registered startups
• How to apply: Through empaneled incubators

BIRAC (for biotech)

• Amount: ₹50 lakhs - ₹1 crore
• Eligibility: Biotech/healthcare innovation
• How to apply: Direct application

NIDHI-EIR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence)

• Amount: Fellowship stipend + prototype support
• Eligibility: Innovators working through recognized incubators
• Best for: Founders who need time to validate before incorporation

Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)

• Amount: Government invests in VC funds, which invest in startups
• Status: Expanded in Budget 2025
• How it helps: More VC capital available for early-stage startups

Why start here: It's non-dilutive. You keep 100% of your company while getting capital to validate your idea.

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2.5 Non-Dilutive Grants & Competitions

WTFund Young Founder Grants

• Amount: ₹20 lakhs (equity-free)
• Eligibility: Founders under 25 years old
• Includes: Mentorship + grant capital
• Status: Running third cohort in 2025
• Best for: Young first-time founders

Innopreneurs Startup Contest

• Prize pool: ₹50 lakhs+
• Benefits: Cash awards, investor visibility, media exposure
• Best for: Startups ready to pitch competitively

State Government Grants (Maharashtra, Karnataka, etc.)

• Maharashtra MahaFund 2025: Seed and growth capital for Maharashtra startups
• Karnataka Elevate: Grants for Karnataka-based startups
• Best for: Startups registered in specific states

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3. Student-First Funds

These funds invest exclusively or primarily in student founders:

Campus Fund

• Investment: Pre-seed to seed
• Focus: Exclusively student-led startups (including recent grads and dropouts)
• Status: SEBI-registered, announced $100M third fund in 2025
• Why apply: The only major Indian fund that invests only in student founders
• Website: yourcampusfund.com

Entrepreneur First (EF) Graduate Program

• Investment: $125,000
• Focus: Current students and recent graduates
• Duration: 3-6 months
• Stipend: Yes (salary during program)
• Why apply: Helps you find co-founders and build from scratch
• Best for: Deep tech founders, those without a co-founder yet

IIT Madras Alumni Fund

• Investment: From ₹200 Cr VC fund
• Eligibility: IITM students, faculty, and alumni (especially incubated startups)
• Why apply: Direct access to IITM alumni network and dedicated capital pool
• Status: Announced 2025

ISFB (Imarticus) Student Founders Fund

• Investment: From ₹25 Cr fund
• Focus: Student founders in UG/PG programs
• Status: First Indian UG school with dedicated student founder fund
• Best for: Early-stage student teams

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4. Founder Residency Programs

Programs that provide living expenses while you build:

StudioK HackHouse

• Funding: Up to $500,000
• Stipend: Yes
• Housing: Yes (Mumbai HackHouse)
• Duration: 12 months
• Best for: IIT students/graduates building AI B2B
• Apply: studiok.dev/nominate

Antler India

• Funding: $100,000 (from ₹600 Cr / $75M pre-seed fund)
• Stipend: Limited
• Housing: No
• Duration: 3 months
• Best for: Those seeking co-founders, pre-seed stage

Why consider these: They solve the "how do I eat while building?" problem that kills most student startups.

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5. IIT/NIT Incubators

SINE (IIT Bombay)

• Funding up to ₹50 lakhs
• Workspace and mentorship
• Access to IITB network

Y-Point Venture Capital Fund (via SINE IIT Bombay)

• Investment: Pre-seed to seed, tickets up to ₹15 Cr
• Fund size: ₹250 Cr
• Focus: Deep tech startups from IITB and top institutes
• Status: Launched December 2025, India's first incubator-linked deep tech VC fund
• Best for: Deep tech, hardware, AI/ML, biotech founders

IITM Incubation Cell (IIT Madras)

• Various funding programs
• Strong deep-tech ecosystem
• Research partnerships

IITD (IIT Delhi) - FITT

• Innovation grants
• Patent support
• Industry connections

NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore)

• Programs: Campus Founders, GPS Fellows
• Support: Structured venture building + mentorship
• Funding: Grant access for early product startups
• Best for: MBA students and business-focused founders

CIIE (IIM Ahmedabad)

• One of India's oldest startup incubators
• Strong network of corporate partners
• Multiple funding programs

Why use these: If you're at an IIT/IIM, these resources are designed for you. Don't overlook them.

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6. Angel Investors & Angel Funds

Individual wealthy investors and organized angel funds:

Hyderabad Angel Fund (HAF VC)

• Fund size: ₹100 Cr
• Investment: ₹2-4 Cr early checks
• Focus: Early-stage startups, tech/AI sectors
• Status: Actively deploying in 2025

Indian Angel Network

• India's largest angel network
• Investments across sectors
• Strong follow-on support

Mumbai Angels / Chennai Angels / Hyderabad Angels

• Regional angel networks
• Good for local connections and mentorship

LetsVenture

• Platform connecting startups with angel syndicates
• Good for running structured angel rounds

What angels look for:

• Strong founding team
• Large market opportunity
• Early traction or validation
• Reasonable valuation expectations

Typical angel check size: ₹10-50 lakhs

How to approach:

1. Warm introduction is best
2. Clear 1-page summary of your startup
3. Specific ask (amount and use of funds)
4. Show progress since you started

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7. Micro VCs and Pre-Seed Funds

Venture funds that specifically target very early-stage startups:

First Cheque (India Quotient's Pre-Seed Platform)

• Investment: Pre-seed / first cheque rounds
• Focus: Before big traction, backing strong founders early
• Why apply: Dedicated pre-seed arm of established VC, often invests before other funds
• Website: Part of India Quotient ecosystem

100X.VC

• Investment: $250,000
• Stage: Pre-seed and seed
• Process: Standardized iSAFE notes
• Status: SEBI-registered AIF, high-volume approach
• Website: 100x.vc

Titan Capital (Winners Fund)

• Investment: $100,000-500,000 (₹3.2 Cr recent seed rounds)
• Focus: Seed-stage, consumer and B2B
• Founders: Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal (Snapdeal founders)
• Website: titancapital.vc

Better Capital

• Investment: Early-stage, operator-led
• Model: Solo GP, quick decisions
• Why apply: Frequently co-invests alongside other early investors

India Quotient

• Investment: Seed to early-stage
• Status: Recently raised Fund V ($129M) in 2025
• Focus: India-first startups, very active at seed stage

Blume Ventures

• Investment: Seed / pre-Series A
• Status: Long-time India seed investor
• Focus: Strong India thesis, multiple funds
• Website: blume.vc

Together Fund (AI-Focused)

• Investment: Up to $1M for selected startups
• Focus: Early-stage AI startups only
• Program: Recently launched early-stage program with support + funding
• Best for: AI-native startups at early stage

Google + Accel India AI Startup Program

• Investment: Up to $2M USD for qualifying AI startups
• Partners: Google Cloud + Accel India
• Focus: AI-driven tech startups in India
• Status: Announced November 2025
• Best for: AI/ML student founders with working products

Venture Catalysts

• Investment: Seed stage
• Network: Large angel + follow-on investor network
• Status: One of India's most active seed platforms
• Why apply: Strong syndicate network for follow-on rounds
• Website: venturecatalysts.in

Inflection Point Ventures (IPV)

• Investment: Seed stage ($2M+ rounds)
• Model: Common co-investor with other early-stage funds
• Best for: Startups with early traction seeking seed rounds

LetsVenture

• Model: Fundraising platform + angel syndicates
• Use for: Access to multiple angels through single platform
• Best for: Running structured angel rounds

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8. Venture Capital (Seed Stage)

For startups with product-market fit signals:

Top VCs funding seed in India:

• Accel
• Sequoia Surge
• Matrix Partners
• Nexus Venture Partners
• Elevation Capital
• Stellaris Venture Partners

What VCs want:

• Working product
• Early revenue or strong user metrics
• Clear path to scale
• Team with relevant experience

Typical seed round: $500K - $2M

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Quick Filter: Which Fund to Approach

From IIT and building AI/B2B?

• StudioK HackHouse — up to $500K + housing + stipend (12 months)
• Together Fund — up to $1M for AI startups
• 100X.VC — $250K pre-seed, any sector

Still in college or just starting?

• StudioK — if from IIT, get housing + stipend while building
• Campus Fund — exclusively for student founders
• Entrepreneur First Graduate Program — helps find co-founders
• Antler India — company formation + pre-seed
• 100X.VC — standardized terms, high volume

You have a working MVP + early users?

• StudioK — if from IIT, scale with $500K + daily support
• Titan Capital (Winners Fund) — seed stage
• Better Capital — operator-led investing
• India Quotient — seed to early stage
• Blume Ventures — established seed investor

Building an AI-first startup?

• StudioK — up to $500K, AI-native B2B focus (IIT only)
• Together Fund — up to $1M, dedicated AI program
• 100X.VC — sector agnostic pre-seed

From a specific IIT?

• StudioK — any IIT, up to $500K + housing in Mumbai
• IIT Madras Alumni Fund — ₹200 Cr for IITM founders
• SINE Y-Point Fund — ₹250 Cr for IITB deep tech
• Campus-specific incubators — SINE (IITB), FITT (IITD), etc.

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The Funding Ladder: What to Raise When

Stage 1: Idea Only

Raise: ₹5-20 lakhs Source: Grants (NIDHI Prayas), family, personal savings Use for: Validate problem, talk to customers, build prototype

Stage 2: Prototype/MVP

Raise: ₹20-50 lakhs Source: Founder programs (StudioK), angels, incubators Use for: Build MVP, get first users, iterate

Stage 3: Early Traction

Raise: ₹50 lakhs - ₹2 crores Source: Angels, micro VCs (100X.VC), accelerators Use for: Hire initial team, scale user acquisition

Stage 4: Product-Market Fit

Raise: ₹2-10 crores (Seed) Source: VCs, large angel syndicates Use for: Build team, scale operations

Step-by-Step: How to Actually Raise

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials

One-pager (1 page PDF)

• Problem you're solving
• Your solution
• Market size
• Team
• Traction (if any)
• Ask

Pitch deck (10-12 slides)

• Problem, Solution, Market
• Product, Business Model
• Traction, Team
• Competition, Financials
• Ask

Financial model

• 18-month projection
• Key assumptions
• Use of funds

Step 2: Build Your List

Create a spreadsheet with:

• Investor name
• Fund/organization
• Investment stage
• Sector focus
• Portfolio companies
• Connection path

Step 3: Get Warm Introductions

Cold emails have less than 5% response rate. Instead:

• Ask IIT alumni for intros
• Use incubator networks
• Attend startup events
• Leverage LinkedIn
• Ask existing investors for introductions

Step 4: Take the Meetings

First meeting (30 min):

• Tell your story
• Explain the problem and solution
• Share traction
• Gauge interest

Second meeting (deep dive):

• Product demo
• Metrics review
• Team discussions
• Term exploration

Step 5: Navigate Term Sheets

Key terms to understand:

• Valuation: What your company is worth
• Dilution: How much equity you're giving up
• Liquidation preference: Who gets paid first in an exit
• Pro-rata rights: Investor's right to maintain ownership
• Board seats: Control and governance

Step 6: Close the Round

• Sign term sheet
• Complete due diligence
• Sign definitive agreements
• Wire funds

Common Mistakes Student Founders Make

1. Raising Too Much Too Early

More money means higher expectations and more dilution. Raise what you need for 12-18 months.

2. Overvaluing the Company

A ₹10 crore valuation with no product makes the next round nearly impossible.

3. Not Building While Fundraising

Fundraising takes 3-6 months. Keep shipping. Traction during fundraising is powerful.

4. Ignoring Non-Dilutive Options

Government grants are free money. Don't skip them for ego reasons.

5. Poor Cap Table Management

Give too much equity early, and you'll have problems later. Keep founder equity above 60% through seed stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I raise funding while still in college?

Yes, but it's harder. Programs like NIDHI Prayas and incubator grants are designed for students. For VC funding, you'll likely need to show you can commit full-time post-graduation.

How much equity should I give in my first round?

Aim for 10-20% in your first round. If you're giving 40%+ early, something is wrong (unless it's a venture studio taking a co-founder role).

Do I need a co-founder to raise?

Not for grants or some venture studios. Angels and VCs strongly prefer teams of 2-3, especially for technical products.

How long does fundraising take?

Grants: 2-4 months Angels: 1-3 months VCs: 3-6 months

What if I get rejected?

It's normal. YC accepts 1.5% of applicants. Keep building, improve metrics, and apply again.

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Start Your Funding Journey

If you're an IIT student or graduate looking to build a startup, apply to StudioK's HackHouse. Get housing, stipend, and up to $500K in funding to bring your idea to life.