Beyond central schemes
PSU & regulator startup programs
Public sector undertakings and financial regulators run their own startup programmes: corporate funds, open-innovation challenges and regulatory sandboxes. Oil & gas PSUs alone committed ₹320 crore over three years (167 startup projects, ₹120.65 crore disbursed) and a further ₹291.91 crore for the next three years.
- ONGC Startup FundOil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). ONGC's corporate startup fund (since 2016) backing energy, oil & gas and clean-tech startups with equity, plus pilots inside ONGC operations.startup.ongc.co.in
- SanRachna PlatformBharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). BHEL's open-innovation platform: it posts engineering and manufacturing problem statements for startups and MSMEs to solve and pilot with BHEL.sanrachna.bhel.in
- Project Ankur / Ankur FundBharat Petroleum (BPCL). BPCL's startup programme offering funding, mentoring and business opportunities for energy and mobility startups (BPCL has invested in about 30 startups).ebiz.bpc.co.in
- Launch Pad for EntrepreneurshipBharat Petroleum (BPCL). BPCL's entry point for entrepreneurs who want to work with BPCL on new products, services and pilots.www.bharatpetroleum.in
- CIL Innovation & Incubation Centre (CII Centre)Coal India (CIL). Coal India's incubation centre at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad for mining, energy and allied startups.ciicentre.iitism.ac.in
- PankhGAIL (India) Limited. GAIL's startup initiative with a dedicated fund for startups in natural gas, petrochemicals, clean energy and allied areas.gailebank.gail.co.in
- HP UdgamHindustan Petroleum (HPCL). HPCL's startup scheme that funds and mentors startups solving problems in the oil & gas and energy value chain.startup.hpcl.co.in
- IndS_UP StartUp SchemeIndian Oil (IOCL). IndianOil's startup scheme run from its R&D Centre, funding and incubating energy-technology startups.iocl.com
- Startup ConnectSteel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). SAIL's portal for startups to propose solutions to steel-industry problem statements and pilot them at SAIL plants.webapp.sailcorp.in
- Start Up FundOil India (OIL). Oil India's startup fund supporting innovations relevant to exploration, production and energy.www.oil-india.com
- EngSUIEngineers India Limited. Engineers India's Start-Up Initiative, funding and handholding engineering and energy-tech startups.www6.eil.co.in
- BDL Start UpsBharat Dynamics Limited. Bharat Dynamics' programme to engage defence startups for development work and supply.bdl-india.in
- Ubharte SitaareEXIM Bank. EXIM Bank's fund (managed by SIDBI Venture Capital) for export-oriented Indian companies with high growth potential.www.sidbiventure.co.in
- Regulatory sandboxReserve Bank of India. RBI's regulatory sandbox lets fintechs test products with real customers under relaxed rules for a fixed period, in themed cohorts.fintech.rbi.org.in
- Regulatory sandboxInsurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). IRDAI's regulatory sandbox for testing insurtech products and processes with limited customers.irdai.gov.in
- FinTech Sandbox Framework 2026International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). IFSCA FinTech Sandbox Framework 2026 (effective 16 Mar 2026): Regulatory, Innovation, Inter-Operable sandboxes and FinTech Bridge; tests up to 12 months (+6); DPIIT startups eligible.ifsca.gov.in
- Regulatory sandboxSecurities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). SEBI's regulatory sandbox for testing securities-market innovations with eligible entities under relaxed regulations.www.sebi.gov.in