**Summary:**
To promote the growth of startups in the space sector, the Department of Space has announced and implemented several schemes, incentives, and assistance programs. A key initiative is the establishment of a Rs. 1000 Cr. Antariksh Venture Capital (VC) fund to encourage private investment. Further incentives include a differential pricing policy for startups and a Rs. 500 Cr. Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) designed to enable technology development and commercialization. A Seed Fund Scheme is also in place to encourage startups and NGEs to develop space technologies and applications.
The Department is providing comprehensive facilitation, including access to established technical centers and mentorship, to support private sector entities. This includes enabling technology transfer from ISRO to the private sector and establishing Earth Observation Systems under Public-Private Partnerships. Technical assistance is offered at no cost through Resident Experts engaged by IN-SPACe. Pre-Incubation Entrepreneurship development programs are also available.
Support extends to State Governments for setting up Space Manufacturing clusters, including financial assistance to establish common technical facilities. A mechanism allows Indian industry access to ISRO/DOS facilities for technology development and facilitates the transfer of ISRO technologies under license agreements for commercialization.
RD grants are available to startups through schemes such as the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) with a total funding of Rs. 500 Crores. The Seed Fund Scheme offers grants of up to Rs. 1 Cr. for startups to conduct R&D in the space sector. The Satellite Bus as a service (Sbaas) initiative provides a Rs. 20 Cr. grant for the development of a spacecraft bus, with up to four Indian industries, including startups, eligible for Rs. 5 Cr. each.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on August 21, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Space: The Indian government department responsible for space exploration and administration of the Indian space program.
Startups in the Space Sector: Startups operating within the space industry, the focus of the policy document.
Antariksh Venture Capital VC fund: A Rs. 1000 Cr fund announced to encourage private investment in the space sector.
Technology Adoption Fund TAF: A Rs. 500 Cr fund for enabling technology development and commercialization in the space sector.
ISRO: Indian Space Research Organisation, the primary space agency of India.
IN SPACe: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, an organization promoting private sector participation in the space sector.
Earth Observation System: A system established under Public Private Partnership.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space
Department of Space
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: STARTUPS IN THE
SPACE SECTOR
Posted On: 21 AUG 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi
The following schemes/ incentives/ assistance have been announced/ implemented to promote start-ups in the
space sector:
1. Rs. 1000 Cr. Antariksh Venture Capital (VC) fund has been announced to encourage private investment
2. Differential pricing policy to incentivize the start-ups
3. Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) of Rs. 500 Cr. for enabling technology development and
commercialization
4. Seed fund scheme to encourage start-ups and NGEs to develop the space technologies and applications
5. Providing facilitation, established technical centre and mentorship to handhold and enabling private
sectors.
6. Enabled cutting edge technology transfer from ISRO to private sector
7. Establishing Earth Observation System under Public Private Partnership
8. Providing Technical assistance to the industry at no cost basis through Resident Experts engaged by IN-
SPACe.
9. Pre-Incubation Entrepreneurship development program
10. Providing support to State Governments for setting up of Space Manufacturing cluster & financial
assistance to establish common technical facilities.
A mechanism has been established for enabling Indian industry to access ISRO/DOS facilities for technology
development and also being facilitated for transfer of ISRO’s technologies under license agreement for
commercialization.
The following schemes are implemented to provide R&D grants to start-ups
i. Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) - A funding scheme designed to promote innovations
and drive the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies in the space sector has been
instituted with a total funding of Rs. 500 Crores.
ii. Seed Fund Scheme - A grant of up to Rs. 1 Cr. for the start-ups to carry out R & D in the
field of space sector
iii. Satellite Bus as a service (S-baas) - Rs. 20 Cr. grant for development of spacecraft bus
would be given up to four Indian industries (including start up) at Rs. 5 Cr. each.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2159248)