Best Funding Options for Student Founders in Mumbai (2025 Guide)

Top Funding Options for Student Founders in Mumbai (2025)

Program	Funding	Best For	Housing/Stipend
StudioK HackHouse	Up to $500K	IIT founders, AI B2B	Yes (12 months)
SINE Y-Point Fund	Up to ₹15Cr	Deep tech, IITB ecosystem	No
Campus Fund	Pre-seed/Seed	Student-only startups	No
100X.VC	$250K	Pre-seed, any sector	No
Antler India	$100K	Co-founder matching	No
NIDHI-PRAYAS	₹10L grant	Prototype stage	No

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1. StudioK HackHouse (Best for IIT Founders)

The most comprehensive founder program in Mumbai for IIT students and graduates:

StudioK

• Funding: Up to $500,000 USD
• Stipend: Yes (monthly)
• Housing: Yes (Mumbai HackHouse, 12 months)
• Focus: IIT students/graduates building AI-native B2B startups
• Duration: 12 months (longest founder residency in India)
• Why apply: Only program offering housing + stipend + up to $500K in Mumbai
• Apply: studiok.dev/nominate

What makes StudioK different:

• All-inclusive housing in Mumbai (worth ₹15-20L/year)
• Monthly stipend so you can focus on building
• Hands-on daily support (not just weekly office hours)
• Access to customers and distribution
• IIT-exclusive community of founders

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2. Student-Only Funds

These funds invest exclusively in student-led startups:

Campus Fund

• Investment: Pre-seed to seed
• Focus: Exclusively student-led startups (including recent grads and dropouts)
• Status: SEBI-registered, announced $100M third fund
• Why apply: The only major Indian fund that invests only in student founders
• Website: yourcampusfund.com

ISFB (Imarticus) Student Founders Fund

• Investment: From ₹25 Cr fund
• Focus: Student founders, especially those in UG/PG programs
• Status: First Indian UG school to announce dedicated student founder fund
• Best for: Early-stage student teams

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3. SINE IIT Bombay Ecosystem (Mumbai's Deeptech Hub)

If you're building deep tech or can connect with IITB's ecosystem:

Y-Point Venture Capital Fund (₹250 Cr)

• Investment: Pre-seed to seed, tickets up to ₹15 Cr
• Focus: Deep tech startups from IITB and top institutes
• Status: Launched December 2025, India's first incubator-linked deep tech VC fund
• Portfolio target: 25-30 startups
• Why apply: Direct access to IITB's research, talent, and corporate network
• Best for: Deep tech, hardware, AI/ML, biotech founders

NIDHI-PRAYAS (via SINE IIT Bombay)

• Grant: Up to ₹10 lakhs
• Equity: None (it's a grant)
• Focus: Prototype development for innovative ideas
• Process: SINE IIT Bombay serves as Project Management Unit
• Why apply: Non-dilutive funding to go from idea to prototype
• Website: nidhi-prayas.org

SINE Incubation

• Funding: Up to ₹50 lakhs through various programs
• Support: Workspace, mentorship, access to IITB network
• Best for: Technical founders with research-backed ideas

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4. Mumbai Pre-Seed Investors

These aren't student-only, but they routinely back very early teams:

100X.VC (Mumbai-based)

• Investment: $250,000
• Stage: Pre-seed and seed
• Process: Standardized iSAFE notes, cohort model
• Status: SEBI-registered AIF
• Why apply: High-volume approach, founder-friendly terms
• Website: 100x.vc

Antler India (Residency + Pre-seed)

• Investment: $100,000 (from ₹600 Cr / $75M fund)
• Model: 0→1 company building with upfront pre-seed cheque
• Duration: 3-month residency
• Best for: Founders looking for co-founders or structured support
• Website: antler.co/residency/india

Venture Catalysts

• Investment: Seed stage
• Network: Large angel + follow-on investor network
• Status: One of India's most active seed platforms
• Why apply: Strong syndicate network for follow-on rounds
• Website: venturecatalysts.in

Inflection Point Ventures (IPV)

• Investment: Seed stage
• Recent deals: $2M+ seed rounds
• Network: Common co-investor with other early-stage funds
• Best for: Startups with early traction

LetsVenture

• Model: Fundraising platform + angel syndicates
• Use for: Access to multiple angels through single platform
• Best for: Running structured angel rounds

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5. Maharashtra Government Schemes

Often overlooked, but valuable for early credibility and non-dilutive capital:

Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy 2025

Key initiatives:

CM Maha Fund (₹500 Cr)

• Focus: Venture funding including deep-tech and women-led startups
• Goal: Create 1.3 lakh entrepreneurs in 5 years
• Status: Rolled out in 2025

State Incubation Funding

• Support: Incubation grants and infrastructure support
• Best for: Early-stage startups registered in Maharashtra

Why apply: Government backing adds credibility and unlocks other funding

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Quick Filter: Which Fund to Approach

From IIT and building AI/B2B?

1. StudioK HackHouse — up to $500K + housing + stipend (12 months)
2. SINE Y-Point Fund — if deep tech angle
3. 100X.VC — sector agnostic pre-seed

Still pre-prototype?

1. StudioK — if from IIT, get housing + stipend while building
2. NIDHI-PRAYAS (via SINE) — non-dilutive prototype grant
3. Campus Fund — student-only pre-seed
4. Antler India — structured 0→1 support

Building deep tech + can leverage IITB/research institutes?

1. SINE Y-Point Fund (₹250 Cr) — purpose-built for deep tech
2. StudioK — if AI-native B2B
3. SINE Incubation — full ecosystem access
4. NIDHI-PRAYAS — prototype funding

Have early traction (pilots/revenue)?

1. StudioK — if from IIT, scale with $500K + support
2. 100X.VC — quick decisions
3. Venture Catalysts — large syndicate network
4. Inflection Point Ventures — seed specialist

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The Mumbai Funding Ladder

Stage 1: Idea Only

Raise: ₹5-15 lakhs Source: NIDHI-PRAYAS, Campus Fund Use for: Validate problem, build prototype

Stage 2: Prototype/MVP

Raise: ₹20-50 lakhs Source: StudioK, SINE programs, 100X.VC, Antler Use for: Build MVP, get first users

Stage 3: Early Traction

Raise: ₹50 lakhs - ₹2 crores Source: Venture Catalysts, IPV, angel syndicates Use for: Hire team, scale user acquisition

Stage 4: Seed Round

Raise: ₹2-15 crores Source: Y-Point Fund (deep tech), larger VCs Use for: Scale operations, expand team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Mumbai fund is best for student founders?

For IIT students/graduates: StudioK (up to $500K + housing + stipend). For any student founder: Campus Fund (student-only). For deep tech: SINE Y-Point Fund. For general pre-seed: 100X.VC or Antler India.

Can I get funding without being from IIT Bombay?

Yes. Campus Fund, 100X.VC, Venture Catalysts, and Antler India don't require IITB affiliation. SINE programs prefer IITB connection but aren't exclusive.

What's the easiest non-dilutive funding in Mumbai?

NIDHI-PRAYAS (up to ₹10 lakhs) through SINE IIT Bombay. It's a grant for prototype development with no equity dilution.

How do I access the SINE Y-Point Fund?

Apply through SINE IIT Bombay's incubation programs. Having a connection to IITB (student, alumni, or faculty collaboration) strengthens your application.

Is the Maharashtra CM Maha Fund open to all startups?

Yes, for startups registered in Maharashtra. Deep-tech and women-led startups get priority.

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Start Your Mumbai Funding Journey

If you're an IIT student or graduate in Mumbai looking to build an AI B2B startup, apply to StudioK's HackHouse. Get housing in Mumbai, monthly stipend, and up to $500K in funding.