MeitY GENESIS
About
The Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS), an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, is a flagship program aimed at accelerating the growth of technology startups across Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The program is designed to support startups by fostering innovation, enabling early-stage and deep-tech ventures, and strengthening incubation ecosystems across emerging regions. In a groundbreaking move set to refine the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nagaland and beyond, YouthNet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MSH, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This five-year partnership aims to empower technology-driven startups, fostering a more inclusive and robust entrepreneurial environment in the country.
MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME:
- Consolidation of startup related schemes and assets of MeitY for greater efficiency, asset utilization and enhanced support for startups.
- Provide Tier-II/ III cities focused funding to critically support Pilot/ Investment, Early-stage and deep-tech startups.
- Strengthening Incubators, building stronger startup ecosystem via capacity building initiatives in Tier II/ III cities.
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF GENESIS:
- Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) Support to students and entrepreneurs to validate their startup ideas so as to create momentum in Tier II/ III cities
for entrepreneurship. - Pilot Funding Support to startups who have validated their idea and need to pilot their product.
- Investment Support to startups that are raising funds from the market and this will bring domestic rupee capital into the Tier II/III cities across India.
- Deep-Tech Funding Support to a select number of startups that are developing high impact solutions.
SALIENT FEATURES:
- Support early-stage startups with funding up to Rs. 10 Lakh without any matching fund requirement
- Launchpad for innovation projects and also a hub for global best practices & intellectual capital
- Pilot funding to startups up to Rs. 40 Lakh, with an average of Rs. 30 Lakh, without any matching fund requirement
- Provision to support deep-tech startups with an upper ceiling of Rs. 1 Crore per startup without any matching fund requirement
- Investment support to startups up to Rs. 50 Lakh, with private sector matching funding of 1:1 for the investment component
As the sole implementing partner from Nagaland under the aegis of the MeitY Startup Hub and Digital India Corporation, YouthNet plays a pivotal role in driving this initiative on the ground. YouthNet, through the YouthNet Incubation Centre (YIC), has successfully supported over eight startups under the various components of the GENESIS scheme. Within a span of one year, a total grant of ₹40 lakhs has been disbursed to startups across its portfolio, enabling early-stage innovation, product development, and market validation.
By integrating national-level policy support with localized execution, YouthNet is enabling startups to access funding, mentorship, and market linkages while strengthening the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Nagaland, positioning it within India’s innovation landscape and paving the way for inclusive growth, job creation, and globally competitive, technology-driven enterprises. The MeitY program aligns
with India’s larger goal of becoming a global leader in technology and innovation. By fostering startups in emerging regions, the initiative not only democratizes access to resources but also accelerates digitization, enhancing the nation’s economic output.
See News
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