GENESIS EIR Cohort-3 Launched for Early-Stage Startups

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched the GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Cohort-3 through the MeitY Startup Hub on 24 August 2026. The application window opened for aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and early-stage startup founders, with the deadline fixed for 3 September 2026.

GENESIS and MeitY Startup Hub

GENESIS stands for Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups. The programme is implemented under the MeitY Startup Hub, which functions as a national platform for startup support under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Launch Event and Venue

The launch event for GENESIS EIR 3.0 was held on 4 August 2026 at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit, Coimbatore Edition. The venue was Rathinam Global University in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Eligibility and Support Structure

The cohort is designed for early-stage startups that are less than two years old and for innovators from Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Selected participants can receive financial grant assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh, along with mentorship, product development support, and incubation access.

• Technology Readiness Level 1 refers to basic principles observed and reported.
• Technology Readiness Level 4 covers component and system validation in a laboratory environment.
• Minimum Viable Product is a basic version of a product with core features for testing.
• Incubation support usually includes workspace, mentoring, and access to networks.

Focus Sectors and Innovation Stages

The programme targets innovations in deeptech, artificial intelligence and machine learning, Internet of Things, semiconductor and VLSI, cybersecurity, blockchain, quantum computing, and augmented reality and virtual reality. Eligible ideas must fall within Technology Readiness Levels 1 to 4, which include ideation, proof of concept, prototype development, and minimum viable products.

Important Facts for Exams

• MeitY is the Union ministry responsible for electronics, information technology, and digital governance in India.
• Coimbatore is a major industrial city in Tamil Nadu and a frequent venue for startup and technology events.
• Tier-II and Tier-III cities are often used in policy documents for non-metro urban centres.
• TRL is a nine-level scale used to assess the maturity of a technology from concept to deployment.

Applications for GENESIS EIR Cohort-3 closed on 3 September 2026. The programme supports innovations at TRL 1 to 4 in emerging technology sectors.