Disclaimer….before you read ahead
The information contained herein is of a general nature and for information purposes only, with the intent of raising awareness around various resources, schemes etc. available for women entrepreneurs in India. It is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. It does not purport to be all-inclusive or necessarily contain all the information that may be relevant for the reader, and may be subject to updating, revision or amendment. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to remain accurate in the future. The reader, therefore, is required to exercise their discretion; and not act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
Furthermore, we are not a lender and are not authorized by the Reserve Bank of India to act as one. By disseminating the information contained herein, we are not soliciting any borrower or customers for the company or organization mentioned herein nor do we intend to syndicate any capital for the reader of this article.
About this scheme
Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Yojana was launched in September 2024 by Government of Maharashtra to identify and support promising & innovative women-led/women-owned Startups across the state of Maharashtra and provide them with grant assistance to manage early-stage capital requirements, develop their ideas and help them grow into scalable & sustainable ventures.
This Scheme is being implemented by Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS) under Department of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Government of Maharashtra
How is it being implemented?
Under this Scheme, direct grants are provided to:
- Women-led Startups registered & operating in Maharashtra
- 25% of the Scheme’s provision is reserved for women from Economically Backward Classes
through MSInS in collaboration with Maharashtra State Supported Incubation Centres.
Since its launch in September 2024, applications have been invited for 3 Cohorts. Next set of applications are likely to be invited during early to mid-2027. Stay tuned for information/announcement on the same on MSInS Website OR their Social Media handles mentioned on their website OR their Women Entrepreneurship Cell Webpage
What’s on offer?
I. Product
- Non-dilutive, Equity-free Grant: ₹1 Lakh – ₹25 Lakhs
- Recipients must report utilization of resources in accordance with the mandate
II. Purpose:
- Acquisition of or investment in fixed assets
- Working capital requirements
III. Collateral
- Nil
IV. Turnaround Time
- Intake process runs in cohorts annually and is not a rolling, open application system
- Cohort windows are announced dynamically by MSInS and historically have remain active for a restricted timeline of 3-4 weeks per call for proposals
- Evaluation process includes Initial Application Screening followed by Pitch Presentation of shortlisted candidates before Evaluation Committee constituted by MSInS to finalize eligible Startups and subsequent disbursement of grants to them – this process may take 4-6 months
- Preference is given to Startups that generate revenue, are promising, innovative and have a high impact
- For information on this, please contact MSInS team via means mentioned below
Interested? Read ahead to check your eligibility…
I. Is your Startup registered & operating in Maharashtra?
II. Is your Startup officially recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)?
III. Do women founders/co-founders hold at least 51% of the total equity stake in the Startup?
IV. Has your Startup been operational for at least one full financial year?
V. Is your total audited annual turnover or revenue between ₹10 Lakhs and ₹1 Crore?
VI. Your Startup has not sought any other financial grant benefits from Government of Maharashtra?
If your answers to the questions above are an emphatic YES, you are all set to avail grant under Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Yojana!
So…how big is this scheme and what has been done so far?
So, now, how should you go about it?
I. To submit application online: Next set of applications are likely to be invited during early to mid-2027. Stay tuned for information/announcement on the same on MSInS Website OR their Social Media handles mentioned on their website OR their Women Entrepreneurship Cell Webpage
II. For indicative list of documentation required, please keep all documents that support the eligibility criteria mentioned above handy
III. For any queries, please contact MSInS via:
- E-mail: team@msins.in
- Phone: +91 22355 43099
Go on then… and do spread the word responsibly.
Best,
team@46xx.in
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