MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 – GOI
Offered By - Government Of India, Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)
About the Program
MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 is an innovation funding initiative by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, designed for Indian innovators, students, startups, MSMEs, entrepreneurs, researchers, and technology developers aged 18 years or above who are building solutions in frontier technologies. The program focuses on transforming innovative ideas into working prototypes through financial assistance, incubation, and mentorship support.
This edition emphasizes technology-driven innovations that can strengthen India’s MSME ecosystem across six focus areas: Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Automotive Technology, Industry 4.0 & 5.0, Robotics & Automation, and Other Frontier Technologies. Applicants submit their ideas through the Ministry’s innovation portal and select an approved Host Institute (HI), where the idea is initially evaluated before progressing through multiple national-level evaluation stages.
Selected ideas can receive funding of up to ₹15 lakh under the MSME Innovative Scheme (Incubation Component) for developing a prototype or proof of concept. In addition to financial support, selected innovators receive incubation support through approved Host Institutions across India, helping them validate, refine, and commercialize their technology solutions.
Unlike many startup competitions that primarily reward business pitches, MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 specifically encourages solutions capable of evolving into practical prototypes with commercial potential for India’s manufacturing and MSME sector. Applicants are expected to submit original ideas intended for prototype development rather than research concepts alone.
From a founder’s perspective, this program is particularly relevant for technology innovators who already have a well-defined solution and are ready to build a working prototype. It is especially valuable if your innovation addresses real-world industrial or manufacturing challenges and can benefit from structured incubation alongside early-stage funding.
Offerings / Benefits:
- Funding support of up to ₹15 lakh per approved idea.
- Incubation support through approved Host Institutions.
- Mentorship support.
- Multi-stage expert evaluation.
- Opportunity to develop an idea into a working prototype under the MSME Innovative Scheme (Incubation Component).
Sectors Supported:
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Efficiency
- Automotive Technology
- Industry 4.0 & Industry 5.0
- Robotics & Automation
- Other Frontier Technologies (including Advanced Materials, Drones, Space Technology, Defence & Dual-use Technologies, Medical Devices, Electronics and other high-growth sectors)
Key Offerings
Funding
Mentorship
Who Can Apply / Eligibility
- Applicant must be an Indian citizen aged 18 years or above.
- Ideas must align with one of the six officially announced frontier technology themes.
- Applicants must submit the idea through an approved Host Institute (HI) selected during application.
- The submitted idea must be intended for developing a working prototype, proof of concept, model, or product.
- Duplicate or substantially similar idea submissions are not permitted.
- Student applicants must be willing to continue developing the idea even after completing their academic program if selected.
- Valid government-issued age proof is required.
- Student applicants must submit a valid Student Identity Card (FY 2026–27), where applicable.
Best suited for Indian innovators and early-stage technology founders building commercially viable prototype-ready solutions.
Selection Process
- Application Submission through the official MSME Innovation Portal by selecting a Host Institute.
- Stage 1: Evaluation by the selected Host Institute (HI) through an expert panel.
- Stage 2: Document verification and screening by the Ministry of MSME.
- Stage 3: Evaluation by the Domain Expert Selection Committees (DESCs).
- Stage 4: Final approval by the Project Monitoring & Advisory Committee (PMAC). Approved ideas receive financial assistance under the scheme guidelines.
How to Apply
- Visit the official MSME Innovation Portal provided
- Register yourself on the portal.
- Review available approved Host Institutes (HIs).
- Select the Host Institute most suitable for your idea.
- Complete the application form.
- Submit your innovation before the application deadline.
- Ensure all required documents and information are complete and accurate before submission, as changes are not permitted afterward
Source & Verification
All information is compiled from publicly available sources. Refer to the links below for most accurate & updated details. Disclaimer
- Source 1: my.msme.gov.in
This information is provided for general awareness and does not constitute an endorsement by StartupGrantsHub.com. Exercise due diligence before submitting any personal or sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Applicant must be an Indian citizen aged 18 years or above.
- Ideas must align with one of the six officially announced frontier technology themes.
- Applicants must submit the idea through an approved Host Institute (HI) selected during application.
- The submitted idea must be intended for developing a working prototype, proof of concept, model, or product.
- Duplicate or substantially similar idea submissions are not permitted.
- Student applicants must be willing to continue developing the idea even after completing their academic program if selected.
- Valid government-issued age proof is required.
- Student applicants must submit a valid Student Identity Card (FY 2026–27), where applicable.
Best suited for Indian innovators and early-stage technology founders building commercially viable prototype-ready solutions.