National Startup Awards
The National Startup Awards (NSA) by DPIIT recognizes outstanding startups across 20+ categories including women-led innovation, social impact, deep-tech, and more. Winners receive a cash prize of ₹10 lakh along with opportunities to pitch to government bodies and corporates for pilot projects, plus priority access to national and international events. Apply online via the Startup India portal once you have your DPIIT recognition certificate.
About This Scheme
The National Startup Awards (NSA) by DPIIT recognizes outstanding startups across 20+ categories including women-led innovation, social impact, deep-tech, and more. Winners receive a cash prize of ₹10 lakh along with opportunities to pitch to government bodies and corporates for pilot projects, plus priority access to national and international events. Apply online via the Startup India portal once you have your DPIIT recognition certificate.
Full official description
The National Startup Awards by the Department of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the government of India gives to benefit entities from such recognition in various aspects of their business, including but not limited to, business, financing, partnerships, and talent, a role model for other entities and budding entrepreneurs. It will inspire them to be purposeful and responsible about their socio-economic impact.
The first-ever National Startup Awards (‘NSA’) were concluded in October 2020, to recognize and reward outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers that are building innovative products or solutions and scalable enterprises, with high potential of employment generation or wealth
creation, demonstrating measurable social impact .
Categories of Award
Award CategoryAward Focus AreaWomen-Led Innovation Startups led by at least one-woman directorImpact in Rural AreasStartups creating wealth, livelihood and improving lives through their innovations in rural areasNextGen InnovatorStartups with student founders who have built innovative solutions at a young ageIndia’s Social Impact ChampionStartups working towards social impact in healthcare, Indic language, education, livelihood, or any other allied areaExcellence in Innovation from the North-East and Hilly States/UTStartups with innovative solutions from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and UttarakhandSustainability ChampionStartups focused on climate change, sustainability, waste management, renewables, or allied sectorsChampions of Cultural HeritageStartups preserving or proliferating textiles, art, and tourism among othersRetail Innovator of the YearStartups in retail technologies or food processingBest Startup of the Year Startup with the aggregate highest score amongst all categoriesRising Star AwardEarly-stage startups with growth potentialGenesis Innovators of the yearStartups focused on disruptive technology, including, Deep-TechAccessibility Innovation Award Startups working towards improving accessibility for people with disabilities (PwD)Financial Inclusion Award Startups working towards financial inclusion & literacyAeroInnovate Award Startups focused on aerospace, drones, or aviation solutionExcellence in Local to Global Startups with an international consumer baseIndependent Trailblazer Award Startups who have been bootstrapped from their inceptionPivotPro AwardStartups that have changed the existing business model and successfully revamped their business in the face of adversityThe Next Pioneer Award Startups that have strong product-market fit, and are building a sustainable, successful businessInnovators for Agriculture and Animal HusbandryStartups working for adoption and promotion of innovative farming and production practicesIndigenous Ingenuity ChampionStartups that have been manufacturing in India
Rules for National Startup Awards 2023
- Participation in the National Startup Awards is voluntary.
- Startups who have been declared winners under any sector/sub-sector or category in any of the previous editions of the National Startup Awards will not be eligible. However, the finalists of the previous editions may apply.
- Award application form is to be filled in English only.
- One startup can nominate itself in maximum 2 categories.
- Finalists maybe subject to a legal due diligence review by independent third-party evaluators. If the individual/organization refuses to such a request, Startup India holds the right to select the next highest scoring nominee as the award winner.
- By participating in the National Startup Awards, the startups agree to the Government of India’s and its partners use of its name, URL, photos, and videos for promotional purposes on its website and other promotional material.
- Any false information provided within the context of National Startup Awards by any entity concerning identity, mailing address, telephone number, email address, ownership of right, or non-compliance with these rules or any terms and conditions or the like may result in the immediate elimination of the entity from the awards process.
- The decisions of the jury and the evaluation agency shall be final and binding.
- All support agencies, jury, shall sign (physically or digitally) a non-disclosure agreement with Startup India.
- DPIIT reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the National Startup Awards or not award any entity in any of the categories. DPIIT further reserves the right to disqualify any candidate/entity that tampers with the submission process, commits fraud or is in violation of criminal and/or civil laws.
- Allowances shall not be paid to any entity for travel or presentation before jury
Benefits
- Cash prize of ₹10,00,000 (₹10 lakh) per winning startup in each award category, funded by DPIIT
- Opportunity to present solutions to relevant government authorities and corporates for potential pilot projects and work orders
- Priority access to national and international startup events where DPIIT participates
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a DPIIT-recognized startup with a valid Certificate of Incorporation
- Must have a product, process, or solution already in the market
- Must have all applicable trade registrations (GST, FSSAI, CE, MSME, etc.)
- Submit audited financial statements for the last 3 financial years (or all available if younger); provisional CA statements accepted for FY 21-22 if audited not available
- Startups less than a year old with no audited financials are exempt from that requirement
- Must not have won any previous NSA edition (finalists from prior editions may reapply)
- Must not complete 10 years of incorporation by March 31, 2024
- No payment defaults in the last 3 financial years by the entity or its promoters
How to Apply
Step1: Register on Startup India and obtain DPIIT recognition
In case you are already registered on Startup India and have a DPIIT recognition number, ensure that all the details given on Startup India registration are correct as certain fields will auto-populate in the application form.
Step 2: Go to the ‘National Startup Awards’ tab on the Startup India Website
Step 3: Click on the ‘Apply for National Startup Awards 2023’ tab
Step 4: Click on ‘Apply’ under the application closing countdown and select the category under which the startup wishes to apply. You will only be able to fill out the form through the registered account of the recognized startup on the Startup India portal.
Step 5: Check the auto-populated details in the participation form for National Startup Awards
Step 6: Fill in the details as mentioned in the application form
Step 7: Ensure to keep the documents ready for upload.
Step 8: Ensure that all the uploads required to comply with the size requirement as mentioned
Step 9: Click ‘Submit’
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the National Startup Awards 2023?
The National Startup Awards 2023 aims to recognize and reward outstanding startups that have demonstrated exceptional capabilities and have built innovative, scalable, and impactful business solutions. These awards will be conferred across 20 categories this year.
Who can apply for the National Startup Awards ?
Only Startups can apply for the National Startup Awards.
What is the process and eligibility to get my startup recognized by DPIIT?
DPIIT Recognition is a simple online process where an 'eligible' entity as defined under the G.S.R Notification 127 (E) applies for startup recognition, and after verification of the incorporation of the entity, supporting documents attached, and evaluation of the startup briefs provided, the startup may get recognized by DPIIT. Apply for recognition here - https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/startupgov/startup_recognition_page.html
Is there a Caste-related Eligibility Criteria in this scheme?
No, there are no Caste-related Eligibility Criteria in this scheme.
Can a applicant fill the application form in a language other than English?
The application form is to be filled out only in English by all applicants.
How many categories do we have for National Startup Awards ?
Startups will be awarded across 20 categories. Startups can apply across 19 categories.
Can a applicant apply in multiple categories?
Each startup is allowed to apply for a maximum of 2 categories depending on the nature of the solution and the startup's interests. The startup can, however, choose to apply for just 1 category as it is not mandatory to apply for more than 1 category.
How many startups would be declared winners in each of the categories?
Only one startup in each category would be declared a winner.
What is the incentive to apply for National Startup Awards 2023?
A cash prize of INR 10 lakhs will be awarded to one winning startup in each of the categories by DPIIT. Every edition of the National Startup Awards provides the winners and finalists with curated handholding support, which is across focus areas such as mentorship, investor connect, corporate connect, government pilot and procurement support among others. The startups will also be given priority for participation in various national and international startup events where DPIIT is participating.
Can a applicant apply for National Startup Awards 2023 if he/she was already a past winner?
Startups who have won in any of the sectors or special categories in any of the previous editions of the National Startup Awards will not be eligible to apply. Startups who have been finalists in any of the previous editions are eligible to apply for the National Startup Awards 2023
What documents are required for the scheme?
- Certificate of Recognition issued by DPIIT.
- Certificate of Incorporation/Certificate from the Registrar of Firms.
- Memorandum of Association, Partnership deed or other government accepted proof as proof for a woman founder (if applicable).
- PAN card for founder/co-founder.
- Aadhar card for founder/co-founder.
- Startup Pitch Deck (Not more than 10 slides).
- Trade specific registrations.
- Proof of Patent, IPR (if applicable).
- Audited financial statements for the past 3 years (Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Income Tax Return) or Provisional financial statements issued by a Chartered Accountant, in case of non availability of audited financials for FY 2021-22.
- Please attach all relevant documents, MOUs or agreements that would make your application stand out, specially, to differentiate your application and to make it more relevant and specific for the applied category.Eg : Proof of admission into academic institution or proof of graduation or any other relevant document for your application under 'Next Gen Innovator'. Product proof of manufacturing and ownership certificates for manufacturing facility for your application under 'Indigenous Ingenuity Champion' and etc. 1
- 120 seconds video explaining your product or service (this video cannot be a YouTube link; it has to be made for application to National Startup Awards). Thevideo should cover - business model, scalability, innovation, social & economic impact on environment
- Self attested documents with proof of active users, number of employees hired, R&D and prototype development, proof of funding raised, proof of TRL level of startup (if applicable).
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Certificate of Recognition issued by DPIIT.
- Certificate of Incorporation/Certificate from the Registrar of Firms.
- Memorandum of Association, Partnership deed or other government accepted proof as proof for a woman founder (if applicable).
- PAN card for founder/co-founder.
- Aadhar card for founder/co-founder .
- Startup Pitch Deck (Not more than 10 slides).
- Trade specific registrations.
- Proof of Patent, IPR (if applicable).
- Audited financial statements for the past 3 years (Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Income Tax Return) or Provisional financial statements issued by a Chartered Accountant, in case of non availability of audited financials for FY 2021-22.
- Please attach all relevant documents, MOUs or agreements that would make your application stand out, specially, to differentiate your application and to make it more relevant and specific for the applied category.Eg : Proof of admission into academic institution or proof of graduation or any other relevant document for your application under ‘Next Gen Innovator’. Product proof of manufacturing and ownership certificates for manufacturing facility for your application under ‘Indigenous Ingenuity Champion’ and etc.
- seconds video explaining your product or service (this video cannot be a YouTube link; it has to be made for application to National Startup Awards). The
- video should cover – business model, scalability, innovation, social & economic impact on environment
- Self attested documents with proof of active users, number of employees hired, R&D and prototype development, proof of funding raised, proof of TRL level of startup (if applicable).