SBI Foundation, IIT Kanpur Provide ₹2.64 Crore to 30 Startups
New Delhi, October 28, 2026: SBI Foundation and the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, have provided ₹2.64 crore in milestone-linked grant support to 30 startups under the SBIF LEAP: Innovators for Bharat programme. The initiative supports startups working in agriculture technology, clean technology and healthcare, with the aim of helping them develop and commercialise innovative solutions.
The programme’s progress was highlighted at the SBIF LEAP: Innovators for Bharat Demo Day and Investor Connect, held recently at the IIT Kanpur Noida Campus. Supported by SBI Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the State Bank of India, and implemented by SIIC, IIT Kanpur, the programme combines financial assistance with incubation, mentorship, capacity building and industry linkages.
According to the programme’s impact assessment, the participating startups have reached more than 8,000 farmers, benefited over 960 women and generated more than 195 direct jobs. Their solutions have also contributed to avoiding over 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, converting more than 3,000 tonnes of agricultural waste into clean biomass fuel and protecting 800 acres of farmland from stubble burning.
In healthcare, the startups have screened, tested or served more than 4,000 individuals. The cohort has also recorded eight or more patents filed or granted, while seven ventures are led by women founders or chief executive officers.
Funding and Incubation Support
The programme supports 20 agritech startups, five cleantech startups and five healthcare startups. Under its funding framework, 24 early-stage ventures received ₹8 lakh each, while six growth-stage startups received ₹12 lakh each, bringing the total grant support to ₹2.64 crore.
In addition to funding, participating ventures receive dedicated mentorship, capacity-building support and connections with potential investors and industry partners. The programme is designed to help startups progress from technology development and prototype validation to market adoption and commercial growth.
The cohort’s progress reflects different stages of business development. Nine startups are scaling through revenue, customer acquisition or paid pilots, while 10 are progressing through partner pilots and regulatory milestones. The remaining 11 are validating prototypes for field deployment.
Investor Connect and Startup Showcase
The Demo Day featured an exhibition of innovations developed by all 30 participating startups. Mr. Pratyush Mehrotra, President & COO, SBI Foundation, accompanied by investors and the SIIC, IIT Kanpur team, visited the exhibition stalls to interact with founders and learn about their progress and solutions.
The event also facilitated one-to-one pitching sessions that connected eight startups with representatives from 14 investment organisations. These included 247VC, Enlighten Capital, Anicut Capital, Anthill Ventures, IndicornAngels, Indian Angel Network, MeritX Ventures, Pedal Start, Samved VC, Sanchi Connect, SteerX, Indian Accelerator, Hyderabad Angels and Fluid Ventures.
The interactions provided opportunities for participating ventures to explore potential funding, strategic partnerships and pathways to expand their operations.
The event began with a welcome address by Dr. Ashutosh Agnihotri, CEO, SIIC, IIT Kanpur, followed by an address from Mr. Pratyush Mehrotra, President & COO, SBI Foundation. Both institutions highlighted their shared focus on supporting innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
Through the SBIF LEAP: Innovators for Bharat programme, SBI Foundation and SIIC, IIT Kanpur, are supporting startups developing solutions across agriculture, clean energy and healthcare. The initiative combines grant funding, incubation and investor engagement to help early-stage and growth-stage ventures advance their technologies and build scalable businesses.
