Scaleup Seed Fund is a grant from Kerala Startup Mission for registered Kerala Private Limited startups with DPIIT recognition and a KSUM Unique ID, working on an innovative product or technology,…. It provides Upto 25 Lakhs, for pan-sector growth-stage scaling. Applications are open on a rolling basis. Last verified against the official page on 22 September 2026.
Key facts
| Amount / benefit | Upto 25 Lakhs |
|---|---|
| Provider | Kerala Startup Mission |
| Where | Kerala |
| Stage | Early Revenue, Growth |
| Sector | Pan-sector growth-stage scaling |
| Deadline | Rolling / always open |
| Nodal agency | Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), Government of Kerala |
| Instrument | Collateral-free debt or SAFE instruments such as CCD/CCPS |
| Maximum funding | Rs. 25 lakhs per startup |
| Interest rate | 6% simple interest per annum |
| Moratorium | 12 months |
| Repayment tenure | 36 monthly installments |
| Prepayment | Allowed without penalty; repayment first adjusted against principal |
| Disbursal | On an installment basis, after Expert Committee recommendation |
What is Scaleup Seed Fund?
The Scale-up Seed Support Scheme is run by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), the Government of Kerala's startup agency, for revenue-stage startups ready to scale. It gives up to Rs. 25 lakhs per startup as collateral-free debt or SAFE instruments such as CCD/CCPS, bridging seed funding and venture capital.
It is reserved for innovative product or technology startups; KSUM excludes pure service startups and SMEs in trade and commerce. Applicants must be DPIIT-recognised with a KSUM Unique ID, registered as a Private Limited company in Kerala with active MCA status, and show either Rs. 25 lakhs of product revenue over the last four quarters or an equivalent angel or VC investment, plus at least Rs. 5 lakhs revenue in the previous quarter, with preference for month-on-month growth.
Applications go through KSUM's portal as a Business Profile and Seed Proposal, then a screening call, an initial pitch, and a final pitch backed by a Fund Utilization Plan and Project Plan, before the Scale-up Seed Fund Expert Committee. Selected startups sign agreements with KSUM and get funds as a soft loan: 6% simple interest, 12-month moratorium, 36 monthly installments, no prepayment penalty.
Who is eligible for Scaleup Seed Fund?
Registered Kerala Private Limited startups with DPIIT recognition and a KSUM Unique ID, working on an innovative product or technology, that already show Rs. 25 lakhs of product revenue over the last four quarters (or an equivalent angel/VC investment) plus at least Rs. 5 lakhs revenue in the previous quarter.
You qualify if:
- You qualify if your startup is a registered Private Limited company in Kerala with active MCA registration status
- You qualify if your startup has DPIIT startup recognition and a KSUM Unique ID
- You qualify if your startup works on an innovative product or technology (not a pure service business)
- You qualify if the startup has generated at least Rs. 25 lakhs of product revenue in the last four quarters, or received at least Rs. 25 lakhs investment from an angel network or VC firm
- You qualify if the startup generated at least Rs. 5 lakhs revenue in the quarter immediately before applying (preference given for month-on-month revenue growth)
You are not eligible if:
- Your business is a pure service startup, or an SME in trade and commerce, rather than an innovative product/technology startup
- Your startup has any pending dues with a government agency, or is blacklisted by any government agency in India
How much does Scaleup Seed Fund give, and in what form?
Upto 25 Lakhs.
How to apply for Scaleup Seed Fund
- Submit the online application via the KSUM website in two parts — Business Profile and Seed Proposal — and upload the required documents (incomplete forms are rejected)
- Attend a one-to-one call with KSUM representatives for initial evaluation, then an initial pitch to the KSUM team/sub-committee, submitting any additional documents the committee requests
- Submit a Final Pitch PPT (Fund Utilization Plan and Project Plan with milestones and timeframe) and present the final pitch before the Scale-up Seed Fund Expert Committee
- If selected, submit all remaining documents and sign the necessary agreements with KSUM
- Fund disbursal is processed by a KSUM representative on the Expert Committee's recommendation and released on an installment basis
Documents required for Scaleup Seed Fund
- Business Profile
- Seed Proposal
- Fund Utilization Plan
- Project Plan with milestones and timeframe (Final Pitch PPT)
- Signed agreements with KSUM (for selected applicants)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Scale-up Seed Support Scheme?
It is an initiative of the Government of Kerala, implemented through Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), to support startups that are ready to scale. It provides financial assistance mainly through collateral-free debt or SAFE instruments such as CCD/CCPS to help startups expand products, markets and operations, acting as a bridge between early-stage seed funding and venture capital funding.
Who is eligible to apply for the Scaleup Seed Fund?
Startups must be registered in Kerala as a Private Limited company, recognized by DPIIT, and hold a KSUM Unique ID. They must be working on an innovative product or technology and be at the revenue stage, with at least Rs. 25 lakhs revenue in the last four quarters (or Rs. 25 lakhs investment from an angel/VC), plus at least Rs. 5 lakhs revenue in the previous quarter.
What is the maximum funding available under the Scaleup Seed Fund?
The upper limit of Scale-up Seed Support is Rs. 25 lakhs per startup. Startups that have already availed a KSUM seed fund may also be eligible for an extended limit, subject to existing disbursements and evaluation by the Expert Committee.
How are startups selected for the scheme?
Applications are first shortlisted by KSUM based on eligibility, revenue stage, financials, scalability and previous compliance. Shortlisted startups then pitch before the Scale-up Seed Fund Expert Committee, which evaluates them on market need, feasibility, scalability, impact, team strength, revenue traction and the fund utilization plan before recommending funding.
What are the repayment terms for the Scale-up Seed Fund?
The Scale-up Seed Fund is provided as a soft loan at 6% simple interest per annum. Startups can avail a 12-month moratorium, and the total amount, with interest, must be repaid in 36 monthly installments. Repayment is first adjusted against the principal, and prepayment is allowed without any penalty.
Related programmes
Browse similar grant programmes. See all kerala startup and msme schemes. CapEasy handles this under Fundraising advisory. CapEasy handles this under Startup India and DPIIT recognition.
Source and verification
Official programme page: startupmission.kerala.gov.in. Last verified 22 September 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.