MeitY launches third GENESIS EIR cohort to back early-stage deeptech startups with up to ₹10 lakh

COIMBATORE: 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 ideas into ventures.

GENESIS EIR Cohort-3 was launched at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit – Coimbatore Edition held on August 4 at Rathinam Global University, Coimbatore. Applications for the programme are now open, with aspiring innovators invited to apply by September 3, 2026.

GENESIS EIR 3.0 is part of the GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) scheme, which is aimed at discovering, supporting and accelerating technology-based startups, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Through the EIR component, the programme provides focused funding and incubation support to help early-stage ideas move towards pilot-ready solutions.

The Coimbatore summit brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, researchers, students, academia, industry leaders and ecosystem partners, with a focus on knowledge sharing, mentorship, networking and collaboration.

The official launch of GENESIS EIR 3.0 was conducted by Dr Panneerselvam Madanagopal, Chief Executive Officer, MeitY Startup Hub, in the presence of Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, District Collector, Coimbatore, Dr. Madan A. Senthil, Chancellor, Rathinam Global University, and other dignitaries.

Implemented by MeitY Startup Hub, the third EIR cohort will support early-stage innovators developing technology-based solutions in Electronics, Information Technology, Information and Communication Technology and DeepTech.

Selected applicants will receive incubation, mentorship, ecosystem access and financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh through participating GENESIS incubators.

The support package includes access to participating GENESIS incubators, one-on-one mentorship and expert guidance, product development and minimum viable product support, incubation and business growth assistance, prototyping and technology validation support, industry and startup ecosystem connections, and guidance towards commercialisation.

The programme’s focus areas include Electronics and IT, DeepTech, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Semiconductor/VLSI, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Quantum Technologies, Augmented and Virtual Reality, and Spatial and Immersive Technologies.

Applicants must be Indian citizens and may include entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, students and founders or co-founders of early-stage startups. The proposed innovation must fall within the specified emerging technology areas and be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1-4, covering stages from ideation and proof of concept to prototype, MVP or early validation.

The programme also requires startups to be based in a Tier-II or Tier-III city. Incorporated startups must be less than two years old on the date of application and must not have received financial assistance exceeding ₹10 lakh under any central or state government scheme for the same proposed idea or startup.

The application window for GENESIS EIR Cohort-3 is open from August 4 to September 3, 2026. Applications can be submitted online through the MeitY Startup Hub portal.

GENESIS is a flagship initiative of MeitY Startup Hub designed to discover, support, grow and accelerate startups across India’s Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The scheme combines Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Pilot, Investment and DeepTech funding components and has a total budget outlay of ₹490 crore.

The GENESIS EIR component specifically provides funding of up to ₹10 lakh per startup to innovators, students and entrepreneurs at the ideation and prototype stages, with the objective of helping convert early ideas into pilot-ready solutions through funding and incubation support.