MeitY launches GENESIS EIR 3.0 with Rs 10 lakh support for tech innovators

New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through MeitY Startup Hub, has launched the third cohort of its GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence programme, offering aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage innovators financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh along with incubation and mentorship support.

GENESIS EIR 3.0 was launched at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit, Coimbatore Edition, held on August 4 at Rathinam Global University in Coimbatore. Applications are now open, with interested candidates able to apply until September 3, 2026.

The programme is part of GENESIS, or Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups, a scheme aimed at identifying and supporting technology startups, particularly those emerging from Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

The EIR programme is designed to help innovators take an idea from the drawing board towards a working product and, eventually, a viable business. Selected applicants will receive financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh through participating GENESIS incubators.

Beyond funding, the programme offers access to incubation facilities, one-on-one mentorship, expert guidance, product development and minimum viable product support. Participants will also receive assistance with prototyping, technology validation, business development and commercialisation.

The initiative is open to Indian citizens who are entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, students or founders and co-founders of early-stage startups. Applicants must be working on emerging technologies in the electronics and IT space, including DeepTech, artificial intelligence and machine learning, Internet of Things, semiconductor and VLSI technologies, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum technologies and AR/VR, spatial and immersive technologies.

The programme is aimed at innovations at Technology Readiness Levels 1 to 4, covering stages from ideation and proof of concept to prototypes, MVPs and early validation.

There are also specific conditions for startups. An incorporated startup must be less than two years old as of the application date and should be based in a Tier-II or Tier-III city. Applicants also cannot have received more than Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance under any Central or state government scheme for the same proposed idea or startup.

The Coimbatore edition of the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit brought together entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, researchers, students, academia, industry representatives and ecosystem partners.

The launch of GENESIS EIR 3.0 was conducted by MeitY Startup Hub chief executive officer Panneerselvam Madanagopal in the presence of Coimbatore district collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, Rathinam Global University chancellor Madan A. Senthil and other dignitaries.

The summit was positioned as a platform for knowledge sharing, mentorship, networking and collaboration, with a focus on encouraging innovation-led entrepreneurship beyond India’s established startup hubs.

MeitY Startup Hub, which operates as a national platform connecting startups with incubators, accelerators, investors, mentors, academia, industry and government stakeholders, is using GENESIS to widen access to the resources needed to move technology ideas from validation to commercialisation.

The application window for GENESIS EIR Cohort 3 opened on August 4 and will close on September 3. With funding, incubation and mentorship bundled together, the programme aims to give early-stage innovators a clearer path from promising idea to market-ready technology venture.