The Gujarat Rs 10 crore startup fund will provide financial support to technology-based ventures, with assistance of up to Rs 30 lakh for early-stage start-ups and up to Rs 2 crore for advanced ventures.
Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia launched the Growth Fund at the Gujarat Innovation and Technopreneurship (GInTech) Conclave 2026 in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Savli Technology and Business Incubator (STBI).
The fund will support start-ups at different stages of technology development. Its assistance will cover proof of concept, technology validation, pilot manufacturing and market-oriented development.
Gujarat fund offers two levels of startup support
Under the scheme, start-ups with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of up to Level 4 will be eligible for grants of up to Rs 30 lakh.
The funding will support proof-of-concept development, technology validation, trials and related activities.
Start-ups at TRL-5 and above will qualify for equity-linked convertible funding of up to Rs 2 crore per venture. This assistance will cover pilot manufacturing, technology demonstrations, business pivots and market-oriented development.
The two funding categories are intended to support ventures as they progress from early technology development towards commercialisation.
Gujarat has 18,000-20,000 active startups
Addressing the conclave, Modhwadia said around 2.6 lakh start-ups had been registered across India. Gujarat accounts for an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 active ventures, he added.
The minister said the state government had introduced policies to help entrepreneurs move ideas from the conceptual stage to production.
He also highlighted changing career aspirations among young people. Increasingly, they are choosing entrepreneurship and job creation instead of limiting their choices to government or corporate employment.
Modhwadia said the new scheme would help technology-based start-ups take innovations from laboratories to the market. He also urged stakeholders to use government policies, scientific infrastructure and technology-focused platforms.
STBI announces eight regional Innovation Cells
The conclave also saw the announcement of eight regional Innovation Cells under STBI across six zones of Gujarat.
Other initiatives included a cohort-based acceleration platform, the Atmanirbhar Gujarat Fellows programme and measures to promote shadow internships.
STBI also signed memorandums of understanding with nationally recognised accelerator agencies. The partnerships aim to strengthen the state’s start-up support network.
STBI Director Dr Anand Bhadalkar attended the event alongside representatives from start-ups, industry, investment firms, incubators, accelerators and other institutions.
The initiatives form part of Gujarat’s efforts to expand support for technology ventures through funding, incubation, acceleration and institutional partnerships.
