FAQs

A Startup is an entity recognized under the Government of India Startup definition and incorporated as a Private Limited Company, LLP, Partnership Firm, Cooperative Society, or Multi-State Cooperative Society. The entity must be engaged in innovation, development or improvement of products, processes or services, or have a scalable business model with high potential for employment generation or wealth creation. Generally, the entity must be within 10 years of incorporation and have turnover not exceeding ₹200 crore. Special provisions apply to Deep-Tech Startups.

To avail benefits under the policy, a Startup must register on both the DPIIT platform and the StartinUP Portal. Eligible startups can apply online for incentives and support schemes through the portal. Applications are evaluated by the Startup Review Committee of Experts (SRCE) and approved by the Policy Implementation Unit (PIU) before incentives are disbursed.

Yes. Existing entities may register on the StartinUP Portal provided they satisfy the eligibility criteria prescribed under the Government of India Startup definition and the Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026. However, an entity formed through the splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business shall not be considered a Startup.

Applicants must submit a complete application through the StartinUP Portal along with all required supporting documents and declarations. The detailed documentation requirements will be specified in the operational guidelines and portal application process.

After recognition, startups become eligible to apply for financial and non-financial incentives under the policy according to their stage of development. They can also access incubation support, mentorship, funding opportunities, networking support, startup events, investor connect programmes and market linkages.

StartInUP is the flagship startup initiative of the Government of Uttar Pradesh designed to develop a vibrant startup ecosystem in the State. Through the StartinUP Portal, startups, incubators, investors, mentors, Centre of Excellence (CoEs) and other stakeholders can access incentives, support services, training programmes, networking opportunities and ecosystem resources.

The StartInUP Portal serves as a single-window platform offering startup registration, online incentive applications, mentorship support, access to investors, networking opportunities, startup ecosystem resources, training programmes, grievance redressal services and information about startup-related schemes and events.

Registration enables startups to access government incentives, incubation support, mentoring, investor connect opportunities, startup networking, innovation programmes, startup events, knowledge resources and a variety of financial and non-financial benefits available under the Startup Policy 2026.

Eligible startups can register online through the StartinUP Portal by submitting the prescribed application form and supporting documents. The application is reviewed by the nodal agency and, upon successful verification, the startup receives recognition under the policy.

Yes. To receive incentives under the Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026, startups must be registered on both DPIIT and the StartInUP platform.

The policy does not prescribe any registration fee for startup recognition under the StartInUP Programme.

The policy offers a wide range of financial incentives, including:

Sustenance Allowance
Prototype Grant
Seed Capital Assistance
Matching Grant on Funds Raised
Patent and Quality Certification Reimbursement
Interest Subvention on Term Loans
PF/ESI Reimbursement
Networking Support/Event Grant
Accelerator Programme Support
Deep-Tech Startup Incentives
Compute Power Reimbursement

Eligible startups up to the prototype stage may receive a sustenance allowance of ₹20,000 per month for a period of two years. The amount is payable on a quarterly basis.

A one-time Prototype Grant of up to ₹10 lakh may be provided to eligible StartinUP-registered startups for prototype development. The grant is released in two tranches, with 70% disbursed upfront and the remaining 30% on a reimbursement basis after meeting specified requirements.

Eligible startups may receive Seed Capital assistance of up to ₹15 lakh for prototype refinement, product and process development, market research, testing, trials, marketing, software, hardware and related expenses. In special cases, proposals seeking support beyond ₹15 lakh and up to ₹50 lakh may be considered.

Startups that have secured funding from recognized national or international institutions may receive matching assistance equal to 50% of the amount raised, subject to a maximum limit of ₹5 crore and a minimum qualifying fund raise of ₹2 crore.

Yes. Women-led startups with at least 51% shareholding by women founders or co-founders are eligible for an additional 50% incentive on approved Prototype Grant and Seed Capital assistance.

Yes. Startups with a minimum 51% shareholding by Divyangjan, Transgender or EWS founders/co-founders are eligible for an additional 50% incentive on approved Prototype Grant and Seed Capital assistance.

Yes. Startups having registered offices in Purvanchal or Bundelkhand are eligible for an additional 50% incentive on Prototype Grant and Seed Capital assistance.

Yes. Startups working in Agri-Tech, Circular Economy, Rural Impact, Waste Management, Sustainability, Renewable Energy and Climate Change sectors are eligible for an additional 50% incentive on Prototype Grant and Seed Capital assistance.

The government reimburses 50% of expenses incurred for attending startup events, conferences and exhibitions, subject to prior approval. Reimbursement is available up to ₹50,000 for national events and up to ₹2 lakh for international events.

Eligible startups may receive reimbursement of programme fees for participation in acceleration programmes. Depending on the accelerator tier, reimbursement ranges up to ₹3 lakh per programme and support is available for a maximum of two programmes during the policy period.

Startups are eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred for patent filing and obtaining quality certifications from recognized bodies. Reimbursement may be provided up to ₹2 crore based on the approved slab structure under the policy.

Yes. Eligible startups may receive an interest subvention of 4% per annum or actual interest paid, whichever is lower, on term loans obtained from scheduled banks or financial institutions, subject to prescribed limits and conditions.

Yes. The State Government reimburses the employer's contribution towards Provident Fund (PF) and Employees' State Insurance (ESI) for eligible startups for a period of three years, subject to prescribed conditions.

Generally, startups must be incubated in a StartinUP-recognized incubator and obtain a recommendation from the incubator while applying for incentives. However, startups at the scaling stage and beyond are exempt from this requirement.

Deep-Tech startups may receive enhanced prototype and seed grants, Patience Capital support, royalty-based R&D matching grants and reimbursement for compute power, cloud services and data-centre expenses.

Patience Capital is a long-term funding mechanism designed for Deep-Tech startups working on high-impact innovations with longer development cycles. Eligible startups may receive support of up to ₹40 crore per startup, subject to approval and eligibility conditions.

Eligible startups may receive reimbursement for expenses incurred on cloud services and data-centre infrastructure. Reimbursement is available up to ₹2 lakh per financial year subject to prescribed conditions.

Yes. DPIIT-recognized startups are eligible for benefits available on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), including exemptions from prior experience, turnover requirements and Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) criteria. The State also aims to increase startup participation in public procurement.

Yes. A dedicated grievance redressal mechanism, including a toll-free helpline integrated with the StartinUP Portal, is available to support startups and ecosystem stakeholders.

Yes. The policy provides free incubation support for two years, simplified compliance mechanisms, labour-law facilitation, networking opportunities, mentoring support, startup promotion programmes, investor connect opportunities and participation in ecosystem events.

Yes. Eligible startups can avail free incubation support for up to two years at StartinUP-recognized incubators and Centres of Excellence.

Yes. Startups may participate in programmes such as Startup Express, Startup Mela, Startup Week, Hackathons, Boot Camps, Startup Symposia, Business Plan Competitions, Grand Challenges and Exchange Programmes organized or supported under the policy.