← Latest news 
India RDI Fund launches with Rs 1 lakh crore push as five deep tech startups receive first cheques
Business
Published on 15 May 2026
Central money is flowing to prototype to product de risking
India has begun disbursing funds under its Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, sending cheques to the first cohort of five deep tech startups. Technology Development Board (TDB) released an initial tranche through long-term, low-interest loans and possible equity. The companies span space, drones, robotics, battery tech, and advanced healthcare, with the first approvals following a surge of proposal demand within months.
- TDB signed first RDI agreements on 13 May with five startups
- Rs 50 crore first tranche disbursed live to Bengaluru’s IISTEM Research
- Scheme targets TRL 4 to 6, funding via 3% to 4% loans and up to 25% equity
- Cabinet approval was 1 July 2025, with launch on 3 November 2025
Read the full story at YourStory
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
YourStory