MeitY Launches GENESIS EIR Cohort-3 Startup Support Program
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), has launched the GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Cohort 3, a national-level program to support aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, students, and early-stage startup founders in transforming innovative ideas into technology-driven ventures. The program was officially launched on 4 August 2026 at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit, Coimbatore Edition, held at Rathinam Global University, Coimbatore, with Dr. Panneerselvam Madanagopal, Chief Executive Officer of MeitY Startup Hub, presiding over the launch ceremony alongside Thiru. Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, IAS, District Collector of Coimbatore, and Dr. Madan A. Senthil, Chancellor of Rathinam Global University.
GENESIS EIR 3.0 is a component of the GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) scheme, which has a total budget outlay of ₹490 crore aimed at discovering, supporting, and accelerating startups, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The program provides focused funding and incubation support to help innovators convert early-stage ideas into pilot-ready solutions. Selected applicants will receive financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh through participating GENESIS incubators, along with access to incubation facilities, one-on-one mentorship, expert guidance, product development and MVP support, business growth support, prototyping assistance, technology development and validation services, industry connections, and guidance toward commercialization and startup development.
The program focuses on technology-based solutions in Electronics, Information Technology (IT), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and DeepTech, specifically including Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Semiconductor/VLSI, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Quantum Technologies, and AR/VR, Spatial & Immersive Technologies. Eligibility criteria require applicants to be Indian citizens who are entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, students, or founders/co-founders of early-stage startups. The proposed innovation must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1-4 (Ideation, Proof of Concept, Prototype, MVP, or early validation stage), and the startup must be based in a Tier-II or Tier-III city. If incorporated, the startup should be less than two years old as of the application date and must not have received financial assistance exceeding ₹10 lakh under any Central or State Government scheme for the same proposed idea/startup.
The application window for GENESIS EIR Cohort-3 is open from 4 August 2026 to 3 September 2026, with interested applicants required to apply online at https://mshportal.meity.gov.in/ext/form/23966/1/apply. MeitY Startup Hub serves as a national platform connecting startups, incubators, accelerators, industry, investors, mentors, academia, and government stakeholders, strengthening India's DeepTech ecosystem and supporting the innovation journey from ideation and validation to commercialization and scale.