About this programme
BIRAC's Fund of Funds - AcE (Accelerating Entrepreneurs) fosters R&D and innovation in biotechnology by plugging the funding gap that biotech startups face during their product-development cycle and growth phase. The AcE Fund invests in and partners with SEBI-registered Category I and II Alternative Investment Funds (daughter funds), which commit to invest 2x of BIRAC's committed investment into biotech startups and SMEs. Covered biotech sub-sectors include healthcare, life sciences, pharma, biopharma, med-tech, diagnostics, industrial-biotech, agri-tech and bio-IT services. It is run by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
This is equity funding — the investor (often through a fund) takes a stake in your company in exchange for capital, rather than lending or granting money. You give up some ownership; you don’t repay it like a loan. The amount and form of support that actually apply to you depend on the programme’s rules and how your application is assessed — they are not fixed for every applicant.
Like most government programmes, it has its own eligibility conditions, documentation and application window, and these terms are revised from time to time. Because of that, it is worth confirming the current eligibility, amount and deadline on the official programme page before you invest time in applying.
How it works
BIRAC commits funding to SEBI-registered Category I and II Alternative Investment Funds (daughter funds). These professionally managed daughter funds commit to invest 2x of BIRAC's committed amount into biotech startups and SMEs. Startups can access funding through any of the 16 active AcE Fund Partner organizations. This leverages public capital to mobilize private investment in the biotech sector.
Who can apply
Biotech startups and SMEs across healthcare, life-sciences, pharma, medtech, diagnostics, industrial biotech, agritech and bio-IT/services seeking equity investment through a BIRAC AcE AIF daughter fund.
How to apply
- Identify BIRAC AcE Fund Partner organization
- Submit investment proposal to partner fund
- Partner fund conducts due diligence and assessment
- Investment approved and deployed per fund's timeline
Documents you’ll typically need
- Business registration / incorporation certificate
- PAN (and GST registration, where applicable)
- Identity and address proof for the applicant / directors
- A short description of your business or project
- Recent financials or a simple project report
The exact checklist depends on the programme and your specifics.
Frequently asked
How does the AcE Fund leverage public capital?
BIRAC commits capital to professionally managed SEBI-registered AIF daughter funds, which commit to invest 2x of BIRAC's investment into biotech startups and SMEs.
How many daughter funds are currently active in AcE?
There are 16 active AcE Fund Partner organizations providing equity investment to biotech startups.
What biotech sectors does AcE support?
AcE supports healthcare, life sciences, pharma, biopharma, medtech, diagnostics, industrial biotech, agritech, and bio-IT services.
Reviewed July 2026. Government programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official programme page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.