Acic‑Vgu launches Genesis Pilot 2.0, offers up to ₹40 lakh to startups

What is GENESIS Pilot 2.0?

GENESIS Pilot 2.0 is a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) programme designed to move promising technology startups from prototype to market‑ready solutions. The scheme ties financial assistance directly to the cost of an approved pilot Purchase Order (PO) or Work Order (WO), ensuring that funding supports genuine commercial deployment.

Who can apply?

ACIC‑VGU Foundation, based at Vivekananda Global University in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has outlined clear eligibility criteria. Startups must:

• Be incorporated for between one and five years and headquartered in a Tier‑2 or Tier‑3 city.
• Be a DPIIT‑recognised private limited company with at least 51 % Indian founder ownership.
• Report cumulative revenue of no more than ₹1.5 crore.
• Hold a validated pilot PO/WO worth between ₹1 lakh and ₹1 crore.
• Possess an MVP or working prototype, a viable business plan and at least one full‑time founder.
• Operate in one of MeitY’s focus areas and serve between one and ten B2B clients.

Certain beneficiaries of earlier GENESIS components, such as TIDE 2.0 or SAMRIDH, and startups already in a GENESIS EIR cohort are excluded, though graduates of that cohort may be eligible.

What support is on offer?

The programme can provide up to ₹40 lakh per startup, calibrated to the verified cost of the eligible pilot. Funding may be used for:

• Pilot execution – raw materials, components, manpower and R&D.
• Testing, certification and licences required for market entry.
• Incubation services – mentoring, product‑development guidance and access to ACIC‑VGU’s facilities.
• Market connections – introductions to potential buyers, industry partners and investors.

Gaurav Sharma, CEO of ACIC‑VGU Foundation, said, “The journey from a working prototype to a commercial deployment often requires financial support, industry access and the right incubation ecosystem. Through GENESIS Pilot 2.0 we aim to bridge that gap and help startups build credibility with customers.”

How to apply?

Interested startups should submit their application to the ACIC‑VGU Foundation before 30 October 2026. Applications are to be sent via email to incubation.acic@vgu.ac.in or by calling +91 96643 10508. The submission must include the pilot PO/WO, financial statements, a detailed business plan and proof of Indian founder ownership.

Why it matters for India

By linking funding to real‑world pilot orders from government departments, PSUs, Fortune‑500 firms or unicorns, the initiative seeks to turn home‑grown technology into export‑ready products. The government’s emphasis on pilot‑to‑market pathways aligns with the broader “Make in India” and Digital India agendas, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a hub for scalable tech innovation.

Next steps

Startups that secure the pilot funding can expect assistance in delivering the pilot, followed by potential repeat orders and revenue growth. The programme’s success will be measured by the number of pilots that convert into commercial contracts, new jobs created and intellectual property generated.

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For further details, refer to the official GENESIS Pilot 2.0 guidelines available on the ACIC‑VGU website.