A blended capital model, mapped into one route.
Government backing, CSR partnership and scheme-linked grants — combined so an innovator only has to navigate one door.
How the capital stack works
ACIC Sahyadri blends three sources of capital: direct government support under the Atal Innovation Mission, corporate CSR partnership through Mphasis F1 Foundation, and access to scheme-linked grants such as MeitY GENESIS. Together they cover an innovator from a first idea through to scale.
AIM Support
Direct support under the Atal Community Innovation Centre programme of the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog — funding the centre's core infrastructure, programming and access to the national AIM mentor network.
MeitY GENESIS
The Ministry of Electronics & IT's GENESIS (Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups) scheme with a ₹490 Crore budget supports technology startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. ACIC Sahyadri innovators can access: Pilot Funding up to ₹40 lakh for market-ready solutions, Matching Investment up to ₹50 lakh (1:1 equity match against private investment), and Deep-Tech Funding for high-impact solutions. Eligibility: DPIIT-registered startup, at least 51% Indian ownership, tech-based product in AI/ML, IoT, Blockchain, DeepTech, EdTech, or HealthTech domains, registered in a Tier-II or Tier-III city.
Mphasis CSR
Mphasis F1 Foundation has committed ₹2 crore over four years towards developing advanced innovation facilities at Sahyadri College. The partnership includes the Mphasis AI & Robotics Lab (4,000 sq ft) within the campus, supporting Agentic AI, Robotics, Edge AI, Industrial IoT, Cloud Computing and Automation. The initiative aims to engage 25,000 students, upskill 1,500 learners in next-generation technologies, and support the creation of 200 startups over five years.
Other schemes
Additional funding pathways include Startup India Seed Fund, NIDHI PRAYAS (up to ₹10 lakh prototype grant), K-Tech NAIN (Karnataka government), Karnataka Acceleration Network (KAN), and MSME support schemes — identified and routed on a case-by-case basis through our mentoring team.
Funding pathway
| Stage | Available support | How to access it |
|---|---|---|
| Idea & Discovery | No direct funding — mentoring and validation support | Walk-in or Apply page |
| Pre-Incubation | In-kind support — makerspace and materials access | Through the programme |
| Incubation | Scheme-linked grants where eligible (GENESIS, NIDHI PRAYAS, K-Tech NAIN) | Programme mentoring team |
| Acceleration | Investor introductions, follow-on capital pathways, GENESIS Matching Investment | Programme mentoring team |