The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), has launched the third cohort of its GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) programme to support aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, students and early-stage startup founders in turning technology-driven ideas into viable ventures.
GENESIS EIR 3.0 was launched at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit – Coimbatore Edition, held on August 4 at Rathinam Global University in Coimbatore. The call for applications is now open, with eligible applicants able to apply until September 3, 2026.
The programme is part of the GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) scheme, which seeks to identify, support and accelerate startups, particularly those emerging from Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Under the Entrepreneur-in-Residence component, selected innovators will receive financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh through participating GENESIS incubators, along with incubation, mentorship and access to the wider startup ecosystem.
The programme is aimed at early-stage innovators developing technology-based solutions in Electronics, Information Technology, Information and Communication Technology and DeepTech.
Selected applicants will also receive support for product development and minimum viable product (MVP) creation, prototyping, technology validation and business development. They will have access to industry and startup ecosystem connections, expert guidance and support towards commercialisation.
Focus on emerging technologies
GENESIS EIR 3.0 will support innovations in areas including artificial intelligence and machine learning, Internet of Things, semiconductor and VLSI technologies, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum technologies, and augmented reality, virtual reality, spatial and immersive technologies.
Applicants must be Indian citizens and may include entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, students or founders and co-founders of early-stage startups.
The proposed innovation must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1-4, covering stages from ideation and proof of concept to prototype, MVP or early validation.
For incorporated startups, the company must be less than two years old as of the date of application and must be based in a Tier-II or Tier-III city. Applicants are also required to ensure that the proposed idea or startup has not received financial assistance exceeding Rs 10 lakh under any Central or State government scheme.
The application window for the third cohort opened on August 4 and will remain open until September 3.
Strengthening the startup ecosystem beyond major cities
The GENESIS scheme is designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship beyond India’s major startup hubs by supporting startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
With a total budget outlay of Rs 490 crore, the scheme includes Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Pilot, Investment and DeepTech funding components. It seeks to support startups and innovators across different stages, from early ideation and experimentation to validation, investment and scale-up.
The EIR component specifically provides funding of up to Rs 10 lakh per startup to help innovators, students and entrepreneurs at the ideation and prototype stages develop their ideas into pilot-ready solutions.
MeitY Startup Hub as national platform
MeitY Startup Hub, established under MeitY, serves as a national platform connecting startups, incubators, accelerators, industry, investors, mentors, academia and government stakeholders.
The platform brings together startup, incubation and innovation initiatives covering ideation, incubation, acceleration, funding and scale-up support.
The launch of GENESIS EIR 3.0 at the Coimbatore summit is aimed at strengthening this ecosystem by providing aspiring entrepreneurs with structured financial assistance, mentorship, incubation support and access to national networks.
Through the initiative, MeitY Startup Hub seeks to bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and viable technology ventures, enabling innovators to develop, validate and move their solutions towards market readiness and commercialisation.
