Reference

Definitions & glossary

The playbook's definitions plus the terms that changed in 2026 — the new startup and deep-tech definitions, 80-IAC, TReDS, Udyam and the status labels used across this guide.

A C D E F G I P S T U

AIF (Alternative Investment Fund): SEBI-registered private investment fund that pools capital from investors and deploys into startups/companies.
CGPDTM: Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks.
Convertible Debt: A loan that can convert into equity at a later stage. Used when valuation is uncertain at the time of investment.
Credit Guarantee: A government-backed promise to repay a lender if the borrower (startup) defaults. Enables startups to access loans without pledging collateral.
Deep Tech Startup: A new DPIIT category (notification G.S.R. 108(E), 4 Feb 2026) for science- and R&D-heavy startups: recognition lasts up to 20 years from incorporation with a turnover limit of ₹300 crore, after DPIIT evaluation.
DPIIT-Recognised Startup: A startup officially recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) as per notified eligibility criteria.
EMD (Earnest Money Deposit): A security deposit required in government tenders. DPIIT-recognised startups are exempt from EMD on GeM.
Equity Investment: Capital provided in exchange for ownership stake (shares) in the startup. The investor becomes a part-owner.
Fund of Funds (FoF): A fund that invests in other venture funds (AIFs) rather than directly in startups. Startups receive funding when their venture fund makes an investment.
Grant: Non-repayable financial assistance provided by the government. The startup does not repay the money and does not give equity.
Incubator / Accelerator: Organisations that support startups at early stages (incubator) or fast-track growth of already-validated startups (accelerator).
Proof of Concept (PoC): Early demonstration that an idea or technology works, typically in a lab or controlled setting. Pre-prototype stage.
SEBI: Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Section 80-IAC: Income-tax deduction of 100% of profits for any 3 consecutive years out of the first 10, for DPIIT-recognised companies and LLPs incorporated before 1 April 2030 and certified by the Inter-Ministerial Board.
SLFM (Second Level Fund Manager): Under the RDI Scheme, the intermediaries (TDB, BIRAC, selected AIFs, DFIs, NBFCs) that receive RDI Fund capital and lend to or invest in companies.
Startup-Relevant: In this Playbook: schemes with broader eligibility (MSMEs, companies, institutions) that startups commonly access and benefit from.
Startup-Specific: In this Playbook: schemes where startups are the primary or sole named eligible beneficiary in the scheme’s eligibility criteria.
Status: Between calls: The scheme is alive, but no application window is open right now; the next call is awaited.
TBI (Technology Business Incubator): An institution providing physical space, mentoring, seed funding and networks to early-stage technology startups.
TReDS: Trade Receivables Discounting System — RBI-licensed platforms where MSMEs sell invoices raised on large buyers and CPSEs to financiers for quick payment.
TRL (Technology Readiness Level): A 1–9 scale measuring how mature a technology is. TRL-1 = basic research; TRL-9 = fully commercial system.
Udyam Registration: The Ministry of MSME's free online registration that classifies an enterprise as micro, small or medium; needed for most MSME schemes, CGTMSE and TReDS.