§1Who it is for

  • SEBI-registered AIFs (apply for capital)
  • DPIIT-recognised startups (receive equity from those AIFs)

Useful if

Venture-scale startups ready to raise VC.

Do not spend time on it if

Lifestyle or small trading businesses.

§2Eligibility

  1. Only SEBI-registered AIFs (Category I and II for FoF 2.0) apply to SIDBI.
  2. Startups must be recognised by DPIIT to receive investment from these AIFs.

§3Benefits

  • Equity / equity-linked investment in startups by AIFs that got FoF money.
  • FoF 2.0 priority segments: deep tech, early-growth startups via smaller AIFs, technology-driven and innovative manufacturing, and sector-agnostic.

§4Norms — pattern of assistance

  1. FFS 1.0: AIFs invest at least twice the FFS contribution in startups.
  2. FoF 2.0: minimum investment multiplier per segment as set in operational guidelines; selection by Venture Capital Investment Committee; corpus spread over 16th and 17th Finance Commission cycles.

§5Documents

Not published

The guideline does not list the documents. Ask the portal or bank before you apply — we do not make up lists.

§6How to apply

  1. 1

    Startups: pitch to SIDBI-backed AIFs (list on sidbivcf.in).

  2. 2

    AIFs: apply on https://vcfapplication.sidbi.in.

§7Pros and cons

Merits

  • FFS-backed AIFs invested ₹26,900 crore+ in 1,420+ startups (PIB Apr 2026).
  • FoF 2.0 has a slot for manufacturing and smaller AIFs.

Demerits

  • A founder cannot apply directly; must convince a VC fund.
  • Equity means dilution.

→Related schemes

Need help with FFS / FoF 2.0?

Eligibility check, DPR and application file — ask us on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp usServices

Our interestHelp is our paid service. You can also apply for the scheme yourself.

Sources

  1. PIB, 13 Apr 2026: Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 notified, ₹10,000 crore
  2. PIB Cabinet, 14 Feb 2026: Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 approved
  3. PIB, 17 Apr 2026: 55,200+ startups recognised in FY 2025-26 (FFS, SISFS, CGSS status)
  4. Startup India: Playbook of Government Schemes and Initiatives for Startups (June 2026)

Checked on 18 October 2026. For information only — confirm with the department or bank. Spotted a mistake? Report it.