GrantDepartment of Industries, Govt. of Maharashtra

Maharashtra Startup Policy 2023 — Market Development Assistance

Reimbursement of up to ₹15 Lakhs for market development expenditures incurred by DPIIT-recognised Maharashtra startups under the Maharashtra Startup Policy 2023. Eligible expenses include participation costs for national and international trade fairs, conferences, and exhibitions; pilot project costs for government and corporate proof-of-concept deployments; brand building and marketing collateral; and customer acquisition costs in new markets. Startups may file reimbursement claims annually for up to 3 financial years from recognition date.

Maximum amount
₹15.0L
Typical payout
₹6.0L
Processing time
6–16 weeks
Application window
Rolling — annual claim window open throughout the financial year.

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Eligibility criteria

Company type
Private Limited, LLP, One Person Company
Stage
Pre-Revenue, Early Stage (Revenue < ₹1Cr), Growth Stage (₹1Cr–₹25Cr)
States
Maharashtra
Sectors
ai, saas, fintech, healthtech, agritech, edtech, cleantech, iot, deep_tech, manufacturing, other
Prerequisites
  • DPIIT Startup India recognition required

Documents required

1
DPIIT Recognition Certificate
Valid DPIIT Certificate of Recognition from the Startup India portal confirming active startup status. Mandatory prerequisite for all Maharashtra Startup Policy 2023 benefits.
Tip: Ensure recognition has not expired. The Maharashtra portal cross-verifies DPIIT status in real time — expired recognitions automatically disqualify the claim. Renew at startupindia.gov.in at least 30 days before filing.
2
Entity Incorporation Certificate
MCA-issued Certificate of Incorporation confirming the startup is incorporated as a Pvt Ltd, LLP, or OPC entity. Registered address need not be in Maharashtra, but operations or market development activity must be demonstrably Maharashtra-linked.
Tip: If the registered address is outside Maharashtra, also submit a Maharashtra address proof (lease or utility bill) to establish the local nexus required for the claim.
3
Market Development Expenditure Invoices
Original GST invoices for all claimed market development expenditures — trade fair registration and stall fees, exhibition participation costs, pilot project delivery invoices, marketing collateral production bills.
Tip: All invoices must be in the startup entity's name. Personal card payments later reimbursed internally are not accepted — pay directly from the company account and retain bank transfer proof alongside each invoice.
4
Trade Fair / Exhibition Participation Proof
Certificates of participation, exhibitor confirmation letters, or event photos confirming the startup's participation in the relevant trade fair or exhibition. No canonical key exists for event participation evidence distinct from business plans or project reports.
Tip: National-level fairs (India International Trade Fair, Vibrant Gujarat, etc.) are the strongest claims. International exhibition participation attracts the highest reimbursement rates — retain visa stamps and boarding passes as additional evidence of travel.
5
Bank Account Details
Cancelled cheque or bank passbook copy for the startup entity's current account for reimbursement disbursement.
Tip: Account must be in the entity's name and registered in Maharashtra if possible — state government disbursements sometimes face delays to out-of-state accounts.
6
Audited Financial Statements (if operational >1 year)
CA-audited P&L and balance sheet for the financial year of the claim. Required if the startup has been operational for more than 1 year at the time of filing.
Tip: Newly incorporated startups filing in their first year may substitute audited financials with a provisional balance sheet certified by a CA.

How to apply for MH Startup MDA

1
Register on the Startup Maharashtra portal under the Maharashtra Startup Policy 2023 using DPIIT recognition details.Open portal
2
Incur eligible market development expenditures — retain all GST invoices, bank payment records, and participation certificates throughout the year.
3
File an annual reimbursement claim on the Startup Maharashtra portal — attach all invoices, event participation proofs, and entity documents. Each financial year's claim must be filed within 3 months after year-end.
4
Department of Industries reviews the claim and verifies invoice authenticity (6–10 weeks). Queries are raised via the portal — respond promptly to avoid delays.
5
Approved reimbursement is disbursed directly to the startup's bank account. Claims may be filed for up to 3 financial years from the Maharashtra startup recognition date.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for MH Startup MDA?

MH Startup MDA is available to Private Limited, LLP, One Person Company companies at the Pre-Revenue, Early Stage (Revenue < ₹1Cr), Growth Stage (₹1Cr–₹25Cr) stage, across Maharashtra. DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory.

How much funding does MH Startup MDA provide?

MH Startup MDA provides up to ₹15.0L. Most applicants receive around ₹6.0L.

How long does MH Startup MDA approval take?

The typical processing time from submission to disbursement is 6–16 weeks.

Is MH Startup MDA currently accepting applications?

Yes, MH Startup MDA is currently active and accepting applications. Application window: Rolling — annual claim window open throughout the financial year..

Do I need DPIIT recognition to apply for MH Startup MDA?

Yes, DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory. Register at startupindia.gov.in before applying for MH Startup MDA.

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Information is based on publicly available scheme guidelines. Always verify with official sources before applying.