Deadline: 15 October 2026. The Sarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade SARTHI Entrepreneurship Development and Incubation Initiative — an autonomous programme of the Government of Maharashtra — has opened applications for its 2026–27 incubation cohorts at four host institutions, each offering up to Rs 3,00,000 in support.
Four host institutions have opened their calls: the SARTHI AIC BAMU Foundation Incubation 2026-27 at AIC BAMU Foundation in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the SARTHI Incubation Program at NETRARIT Foundation 2026 in Sangli, the SARTHI Incubation at AIC IISER Pune 2026, and the SARTHI FMCIII Incubation 2026-27 in Pune. All four share the same application deadline of 15 October 2026.
Across its network, SARTHI runs 13 incubation centres, each supporting 10 new entrepreneurs per cohort through a one-year programme that provides guidance and facilities to turn technology business ideas into scalable startups. The initiative is aimed at fostering technology-driven entrepreneurship within specific communities in Maharashtra — the FMCIII Pune call, for example, targets entrepreneurs from Maratha, Kunbi, Kunbi-Maratha and Maratha-Kunbi categories.
Unlike generalist accelerators, SARTHI pairs government backing with university-linked incubation infrastructure, and the Rs 3 lakh support arrives without equity dilution. Founders should check the eligibility criteria for their chosen host institution carefully, since community and category requirements vary by centre.
Why it matters for founders
State-backed incubation with Rs 3 lakh in non-dilutive support and a one-year runway is a genuine launchpad — and four simultaneous host-institution calls mean eligible founders have options across Maharashtra. With the deadline just a week away, shortlisted founders should start their applications this weekend.