What kind of funding is offered?

The program offers seed equity funding of up to ₹1 Crore per startup. This means SIDBI and a-IDEA will take an equity stake in your company in exchange for the investment.

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

Startups must be at the MVP or early commercialization stage with an innovative product. They need to be an Indian Pvt. Ltd. company, DPIIT-recognized, with at least 51% Indian ownership. Founders must be fully committed full-time, and the startup must be incubated or incubation-ready at a-IDEA. Prior SIDBI seed funding from another incubator disqualifies applicants.

What are the focus areas for this seed fund?

The program focuses on non-farm aspects of agriculture, including Post-Harvest Technologies, Food Technology, Supply and Value Chain, Agri-FinTech, Value Addition & Aquaculture, Animal Husbandry, and Farm Machinery.

Do I need to be incubated at a-IDEA to apply?

Yes, a-IDEA incubated or incubation-ready startups are eligible. This indicates that applicants are expected to be part of the a-IDEA ecosystem or prepared to join it if selected.

What type of support can I expect in addition to funding?

Besides seed equity funding, selected startups will receive comprehensive mentoring from experts and gain access to enterprise development services. This support is designed to help agri-startups scale and succeed in the market.

Is there a geographical restriction for this program?

While the host institution, ICAR-NAARM, is in Hyderabad, the program doesn't explicitly state a geographical restriction for applicants beyond being an Indian Pvt. Ltd. company with 51% Indian ownership. However, being 'incubation-ready' at a-IDEA might imply a need for engagement with the Hyderabad ecosystem.

SIDBI Seed Fund Program at a-IDEA Funding Support

Under SIDBI Seed Fund by a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM

ClosedUp to ₹1Cr

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Manus Pro — 1 year through Startup Grants India

Funding providers

Provider

a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM

Hyderabad · Telangana · India

a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM The Association for Innovation Development of Entrepreneurship in Agriculture (a-IDEA) is a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) hosted by ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) in Hyderabad. Established in 2014, a-IDEA is one of…

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Application Process

1
Review Eligibility
Applicants must thoroughly check all program requirements, including company stage, legal status, and commitment.
You
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How to apply

Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.

1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.

Higgsfield Plus — 1 year through Startup Grants India

Sources

Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.

a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARMProvider

News

India's SIDBI-iDEX fund to back defence startups with up to ₹1.5 Croreapp.dealroom.co · last month

Source: Google News aggregated

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The SIDBI Seed Fund Program, a collaborative initiative between the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and a-IDEA (Agri-Business Incubator, ICAR-NAARM), is designed to fuel the growth of promising early-stage agri-tech and agri-business startups. This program aims to address critical gaps in the agricultural value chain by supporting innovative solutions in non-farm aspects of agriculture. By providing crucial seed equity funding, the program empowers startups to scale their operations, refine their products, and achieve market readiness. It underscores a-IDEA's commitment to fostering a vibrant agri-startup ecosystem and SIDBI's vision of promoting economic development through entrepreneurship, particularly in sectors vital to India's economy. The collaboration, formalized in March 2026, leverages the deep domain expertise of ICAR-NAARM in agriculture with SIDBI's financial prowess to create a significant impact on India's agri-startup landscape. The fund focuses on transforming the agricultural sector through technology and innovation, enhancing productivity, and creating sustainable livelihoods.

SIDBI Seed Fund Program at a-IDEA Funding Support

SIDBI Seed Fund Program at a-IDEA Funding Support

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