Startup Incentives

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. Start-ups will be reimbursed a fixed amount for the seats occupied by them at co-working spaces/ incubators/ accelerators listed by the SITPC. The benefits at the co-working spaces can be availed maximum for a period of two years per startup, at incubators can be availed maximum for a period of 1 year per startup and at accelerators will be for a period of 3 months per startup
• 2. Start-ups will be reimbursed a fixed amount for the seats occupied by them at co-working spaces/ incubators/ accelerators listed by the SITPC. The benefits at the co-working spaces can be availed maximum for a period of two years per startup, at incubators can be availed maximum for a period of 1 year per startup and at accelerators will be for a period of 3 months per startup.
• 3. The startup will be reimbursed 50% per seat cost offered by the co-working spaces listed by the SITPC or a maximum benefit of INR 3000 per seat and can claim this benefit for a maximum cap of 8 seats only.
• 4. The startup will be reimbursed 50% per seat cost offered by the incubators listed by the SITPC or a maximum benefit of INR 5000 per seat and can claim this benefit for a maximum cap of 8 seats only.
• 5. The startup will be reimbursed 50% per seat cost offered by accelerators listed by the SITPC or a maximum benefit of INR 6000 per seat and can claim this benefit for a maximum cap of 8 seats only.
• 6. The reimbursement in this scheme can be claimed on any of the plans offered by the co-working spaces/ incubators/ accelerators listed by the SITPC.
• 7. A total of 100 seats in co-working, 50 seats each in incubator and accelerator will be subsidized under this scheme each year.
• 8. For certain deserving startups determined through the internal guidelines of the SITPC, the SITPC may choose to reimburse up to 100% of the amount paid to co-working / incubator / accelerator by the startups.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 1. Start-ups certified by the Start-up Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC) are eligible for the benefits of subsidized seats offered by the co-working spaces/ incubators/ accelerators listed by the SITPC.
• 2. All the startups have to pay digitally to co-working spaces/ incubators/ accelerators listed by the SITPC. In case digital payments are not possible then it shall be up to the decision of SITPC as per its guidelines to admit the expenditure.
• 3. The bank accounts of the start-ups should be linked to Aadhaar.

Document Needed for Submission:

• Address proof of operational office in the State of Goa (utility bill not older than 2 months from the date of application)
• Agreement entered into by the start-up and the co-working space/incubator/accelerator for operating out of such co-working space/incubator/accelerator.
• Cancelled Cheque of the start-up/incubator/accelerator (Bank account to be in Goa).

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. For start-ups hiring local talent, 50% of the salary of fresher will be reimbursed, subject to a cap of INR 15,000 per month per recruit. A start-up can claim salary of maximum 25 people per month for a period of 3 years. This benefit can be availed by 100 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SITPC as per its guidelines.
• 2. For start-ups whose work force comprises of 60% of locals, up to 25% of salary of the local work force subject to cap of INR 25 lakh per year will be reimbursed for 3 years. A start-up can claim salary of maximum 25 people. This benefit can be availed by 100 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SITPC as per its guidelines.
• 3. Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SITPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 1. All the Start-ups certified by the Startup IT Promotion Cell(SITPC)having a valid start-up certificate number are eligible to apply for this scheme.
• 2. The employees should be hired for a period of at least 12 months.
• 3. For availing the benefit under clause 1, the employee/s whose salary is being claimed for reimbursement must be a professional/s.
• 4. The bank accounts of employees should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 5. The bank accounts of the Directors of the company should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 6. Only expenditure incurred after notification of Goa Start-up Policy2021, being within the validity of this policy and paid for digitally will be considered for reimbursements under this scheme. In case digital payments are not possible then it shall be up to the decision of SITPC as per its due diligence to admit the expenditure.

• Provided that employees shall mean all employees for whom a reimbursement is being claimed.
• Provided further that freshers mean Graduates and Postgraduate professionals who have completed their graduation within the stipulated period of study, and not more than 2 years have elapsed since the completion of the graduation & post-graduation courses respectively.
• Provided further that the term Local refers to a person satisfying at least one of the following criteria:
  • 1. Person born in the State of Goa; or,
  • 2. Person having domicile for 10 years or more in the State; or,
  • 3. Spouse of a person covered under any of the conditions mentioned in (1.) and (2.), through marriages registered in Goa.

Document Needed for Submission:

• Address proof of operational office in the State of Goa
• Cancelled Cheque of the start-up/incubator/accelerator
• Bank certification/ Bank account statement showing debit of salary
• Degree certificates of employees
• Employee Identity Proof - Aadhaar card of employee
• Employment Contract Proof - Contract of Employment of employees
• Goan Proof - Birth Certificate
• HR letter certifying that employment contracts of employee fulfill conditions mentioned in the policy regarding period of contract and work profile
• Identity Proof - Aadhaar card of Director/ CEO
• Salary increment letter of each employee

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. For start-ups that operate from privately owned premises-
  • 1.1. The cost towards internet connectivity, software license fees, and cloud services fee, will be reimbursed subject to an upper limit of INR 1 lakh per quarter for a period of one year. This benefit can be availed by 20 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SITPC as per its guidelines.
• 2. For start-ups that operate from rented premises,
  • 2.1. The cost towards internet connectivity, software license fees, and cloud services fee, will be reimbursed subject to an upper limit of INR 1 lakh per quarter for a period of one year. This benefit can be availed by 20 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SITPC as per its guidelines.
  • 2.1.1. For local start-ups which operate out of rented premises, a lease rental subsidy of up to INR 20/-per square foot per month will be reimbursed quarterly for a period of up to two years. This incentive is subject to a cap of INR 3 lakh per annum and can be availed by 25 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SITPC as per its guidelines.
• 3. A start-up can only avail the benefits either as per clause 3.1 or clause 3.2 at any given time.
• 4. Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SITPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 1. All Start-ups certified by the Startup IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) having a valid start-up certificate number which are not using any government developed co-working spaces/ incubators/ accelerators for their operations are eligible to apply for this scheme.
• 2. The bank accounts of the Directors of the company should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 3. The benefits of lease rental subsidy are applicable only for Local start-ups and only for a period of two years.
• 4. Only expenditure incurred after notification of Goa Start-up Policy 2021, being within the validity of this policy and paid for digitally will be considered for reimbursements under this scheme. In case digital payments are not possible then it shall be up to the SITPC to admit the expenditure as per its guidelines.

• Provided that for the purpose of this scheme Local start-up shall mean a start-up in which at least 50% equity/share is held by one or more Goans continuously since the time of inception.
• Provided also that for the purpose of this scheme the term Goan shall mean:
  • 1. Person born in the State of Goa; or,
  • 2. Person having domicile for 10 years or more in the State; or,
  • 3. Spouse of a person covered under any of the conditions mentioned in (1.) and (2.), through marriages registered in Goa

Document Needed for Submission:

• Address proof of operational office in the State of Goa
• Cancelled Cheque of the start-up/incubator/accelerator
• Goan Domicile/Residence Certificate of 10 years
• Identity Proof - Aadhaar card of Director/ CEO
• Bills/Invoices from company certified vendors
• Proof of payment towards lease
• Proof of Payment for Cloud charges
• Proof of Payment for Internet charges
• Proof of Payment for Software cost
• Property Proof - Valid registered Lease Deed
• Software License - License details of software purchased and other documents

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. Start-ups with a promising idea can get a one-time grant of up-to INR 10 lakh, as determined by the Start-up Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC).
• 2. This incentive can be availed by 100 start-ups each year which will be selected by the SITPC as per its due diligence and guidelines.
• 3. Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SITPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 1. All the Start-ups certified by the Start-up Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC) having a valid start-up certificate number are eligible to apply for this scheme.
• 2. The bank accounts of the Directors of the company should be linked to Aadhaar.

Document Needed for Submission:

• Address proof of operational office in the State of Goa
• Cancelled Cheque of the start-up/incubator/accelerator
• CV - CV of founder in World Bank CV format and other document(s) (if any)
• Presentation to Panel of Experts
• Detailed plan of action to create a Minimum Viable Product.

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. For start-ups registering national and international IP, the Startup IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) will reimburse up to 100% of the cost incurred by the start-up in fees and all other costs associated with IP application, if the IP is registered or not registered, subject to a cap of INR 2 lakh for national IP and INR 5 lakh for international IP.
• 2. This benefit can be availed by maximum 200 startups each year.
• 3. Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SITPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 1. All the Start-ups certified by the IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) having a valid startup certificate number are eligible to apply for this scheme.
• 2. IP that is created for a technology based service or product or uses technology for enhancing functionality or reach of an existing product or service are eligible.
• 3. The applicant should have paid the mandatory government fees and attorney fees in this regard.
• 4. Reimbursement amount will be released/ disbursed on the seniority basis/ SITPC recommendation depending upon the budget allotment of the State Government.
• 5. The reimbursement will be in the nature of a one-time payment and the applicant cannot apply under this provision more than once for the same IP application.
• 6. If the applicant has applied for the reimbursement benefits/ grant for the same IP in any other scheme of Centre or other State Government, then the application will be rejected.
• 7. The bank accounts of the Directors of the company should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 8. Only expenditure incurred after notification of Goa Start-up Policy 2021 within the validity of this policy and paid for digitally would be considered. In case digital payments are not possible then it shall be up to the decision of SITPC as per its due diligence to admit the expenditure.

Provided that for the purpose of this scheme IPR means Intellectual Property Rights.

Document Needed for Submission:

• Copy of successful IP registration
• Original Proof of Payment- Detailed statement of expenses incurred towards the IP
• Registration along with the copies of invoices & receipts from the competent authority and legal counsel as applicable
• Detailed report submitted.
• Address proof of operational office in the State of Goa
• Cancelled Cheque of the start-up/incubator/accelerator

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. For start-ups which have successfully entered the production/service delivery phase, and want to trademark their company name and logo, 50% of the cost of trade-mark registration of their company name and logo will be reimbursed up to INR 25,000/-.
• 2. The benefits of this scheme can be availed by up to 200 applicants per year which shall be selected by the SITPC as per its discretion and guidelines.
• 3. Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SITPC shall reserve the sole right to accept/reject applications.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 1. All the Start-ups certified by the Startup IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) having a valid startup certificate number are eligible to apply for this scheme.
• 2. The bank accounts of the Directors of the company should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 3. The start-up must have successfully registered its trademark.
• 4. Only expenditure incurred after notification of Goa Start-up Policy 2021, being within the validity of this policy and paid for digitally would be considered for reimbursement under this scheme. In case digital payments are not possible then it shall be up to the decision of SITPC based on its due diligence to admit the expenditure.

Document Needed for Submission:

• Address proof of operational office in the State of Goa
• Cancelled Cheque of the start-up/incubator/accelerator
• Company Logo Design
• Trademark Certificate
• Copy of trademark application form and document attached
• Bills/Invoices from company
• Proof of Payment

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. All educational institutes in Goa, affiliated to a recognized public university, can avail a one-time grant of up to INR 10 lakh towards capital expenses, for setting up of an incubator within their institute campuses. The educational institutes with existing incubation facilities can also avail the grant for capital expenses for further expansion of incubation facilities. Maximum number of institutes to avail this benefit cannot exceed 15 per year. The institutes claiming the benefits under this scheme cannot restrict the incubation facilities only to the students of their institute.
• 2. The educational institutes with existing incubation facilities will also be provided a grant of up to INR 3 lakh per year, for a period of three years, towards operational expenses. The preference will be given to well performing applicants.
• 3. Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The Start-up Information Technology Promotion Cell (SITPC) shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.

Document Needed for Submission:

• Address proof of operational office in the State of Goa
• Cancelled Cheque of the start-up/incubator/accelerator
• Copy of plan expenditure of proposed expenses.
• Expenses towards capital expenses, Accounting Standard 101 for Fixed Assets by Institute of Cost Accountants of India would be used.

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. In order to promote innovation amongst the Goans and local start-ups, 50% of R&D expenses, including salaries of PhD holders and Master Degree holders employed by start-ups will be reimbursed for a period of two years, subject to a cap of INR 5 lakh per annum but salary component must not be in excess of INR 2 lakh under this scheme.
• 2. This benefit can be availed by maximum 100 startups each year.
• 3. Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SITPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications

Eligibility Criteria:

• 1. All the local start-ups certified by the Startup IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) having a valid start-up certificate number are eligible to apply for this scheme.
• 2. This is applicable only for Goans and local start-ups.
• 3. The bank accounts of the Directors of the company should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 4. The employees whose salary are to be reimbursed should be hired for a period of at least 12 months.
• 5. The employee whose salary is to be reimbursed should have a PhD or Master Degrees or equivalent from a Government recognized institute.
• 6. The bank accounts of said employees should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 7. For the purpose of determining eligible expenses towards R&D Expenditure, Accounting Standard 181 on Research and Development by Institute of Cost Accountants of India would be used.
• 8. The benefit of this scheme can be availed by the startups who are in the R&D stage and developing technology/ products in the domains specified in the Policy.
• 9. The start-ups will be eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme under the following conditions
  • a. They should have a working prototype of the technology/ product.
  • b. Preference will be given to the startups who are working on a technology/ product that have successfully applied for patent or have obtained a patent.
• 10. Only expenditure incurred after notification of Goa Start-up Policy 2021, being within the validity of this policy and paid for digitally will be considered. In case digital payments are not possible then it shall be up to the decision of SITPC based on its due diligence to admit the expenditure.

Local start-up means start-up in which at least 50% equity/share is held by one or more Goans continuously since the time of inception.

Goans refers to the persons satisfying at least one of the following criteria:

• 1. Born in the State of Goa; or,
• 2. Person having domicile for 10 years or more in the State; or,
• 3. Spouse of a person covered under any of the conditions mentioned in (1.) and (2.), through marriages registered in Goa.

For the purpose of this scheme employees shall mean PhD or Master Degree or equivalent employees for whom a reimbursement is being claimed.

Document Needed for Submission:

• Copy of Aadhaar card of Director/ CEO*
• Documents of PhD salaried employees*
• HR letter certifying that employment contract of employees fulfill conditions mentioned in the policy and work profile*
• Contract of Employment (should be of at least 12 months)*
• Salary slips of concerned employees*
• Bank certification/ Bank account statement showing debit of salary*
• Research proposal detailing the relevance and application of the research proposed*
• Copy of research work*
• Original Proof of Payment of R&D as per Cost and Accounting Standard 18*

Benefits under the scheme:

• 1. Retail educational institutes that impart programming and technical skills will be encouraged to establish learning centres in Goa. Institutes listed by the start-up promotion cell and providing courses at pre-fixed rates, will be provided following benefits:
• 2. Internet subsidy (up to INR 5 lakh per year) for two years
• 3. Power subsidy (up to INR 1 lakh per year) for two years
• 4. 25% capital investments reimbursement up to INR 5.0 lakh (on all capital procurement for a period of two years)
• 5. 10% salary cost subsidy up to INR 3 lakh for a period of two years
• 6. The maximum benefits aggregating all the benefits in this scheme should not exceed INR 10 lakh per year.
• 7. The benefits to this scheme can only be availed by up to 10 institutes per year offering courses under the technical areas/ sectors outlined in Annexure 2.
• 8. Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SITPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.
• 9. The eligibility and disbursement of incentives shall be reviewed at the end of each year based on the performance of the institute.

Provided that for the purpose of this scheme capital procurement shall mean money spent on purchase of capital goods such as computer hardware, networking devices, and ICT for the institute.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 1. All the educational institutes listed by the Startup IT Promotion Cell(SITPC) having a valid Startup Cell Registration Number are eligible to apply for this scheme.
• 2. The applicant institute/offered course must have at least one established learning centre in Goa be recognized by an authorized Government body such as AICTE, UGC, NBA, etc. as applicable.
• 3. Preference will be given to institutes with tie-ups with OEMs.
• 4. The bank accounts of employees should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 5. The bank accounts of the Directors of the institute should be linked to Aadhaar.
• 6. Only expenditure incurred from one year before the notification of Goa Start-up Policy 2021, being within the validity of this policy and paid for digitally would be considered for reimbursement under this scheme. In case digital payments are not possible then it shall be up to the decision of SITPC as per its due diligence to admit the expenditure.

Document Needed for Submission:

• Aadhaar card of relevant employees*
• Contract of Employment of employees*
• Salary slips of concerned employees*
• Bank certification/ Bank account statement showing debit of salary*
• Copy of original bills from service providers/OEMs/Authorized vendors*
• Authorization letter from OEM