Goa’s “Seed Fund” Reviews 26 New Deep-Tech Startups: The “Creative Capital” Shift
By Santosh Sinha | Innovation & Policy Desk Date: November 28, 2025
Panaji: For decades, Goa’s economic narrative has been dominated by sun, sand, and tourism. But in late November 2025, a quiet revolution took place in the conference halls of Altinho, Panaji. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) officially reviewed 26 new startup proposals, signaling a decisive pivot towards Deep-Tech and sustainability.
This wasn’t just another bureaucratic meeting. It was the 10th Expert Committee review for the state’s Seed Fund Grant Scheme, and the composition of the applicants tells a story of a state in transition.
Beyond Tourism: The Rise of “Deep-Tech” Goa
The most striking aspect of this cohort is the sector mix. While travel-tech remains relevant, the 2025 applications were dominated by “Hard Tech” and “Deep Tech” solutions.
According to DITE&C officials, the 26 shortlisted ventures are building solutions in:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
- Clean Energy & Smart Grids
- Waste Management & Circular Economy
- Agri-Tech & Fisheries Management
This aligns with IT Minister Rohan Khaunte’s long-standing vision to rebrand Goa as the “Creative Capital of India”-a hub where “Workations” translate into serious intellectual property (IP) creation.
“Founders are presenting solutions built and tested in Goa, demonstrating the increasing confidence of entrepreneurs choosing the state as their base. We are seeing proposals that address ground-level challenges-from food logistics to smart construction,” stated a senior DITE&C official.
The “Seed Fund” Engine: How It Works
For early-stage founders, the Goa Startup Policy has become one of the most accessible frameworks in the country.
The Seed Capital Scheme acts as a crucial bridge for startups that have moved past the idea stage but are yet to raise institutional VC money.
- The Grant: Selected startups receive a one-time grant of up to ₹10 Lakh.
- The Criteria: The funding is specifically for startups with a developed Minimum Viable Product (MVP), ensuring that taxpayer money backs execution, not just ideation.
- The Goal: To help these ventures survive the “Valley of Death” and prepare for larger Series A rounds.
Solving “Local” Problems for Global Markets
One of the unique trends observed in this review cycle is the focus on “Place-Based Innovation.”
Startups are using Goa as a sandbox. For instance, Fisheries Management startups are testing AI-driven yield prediction models in Goa’s coastal belts, with plans to scale these solutions to Southeast Asia. Similarly, Waste Management ventures are piloting circular economy models in Goa’s tourist-heavy districts to solve the garbage crisis-a solution that is scalable to any tourist destination globally.
The “Creative Capital” Ambition
This review meeting comes on the heels of the Goa Startup Policy 2025 updates, which aim to establish 1,000 active startups in the state by 2028.
By aggressively funding high-impact sectors like Clean Energy and AI, the state government is sending a clear signal: Goa is open for business, and it is looking for more than just hotel aggregators. It is looking for inventors.
For the Indian startup ecosystem, Goa is rapidly emerging as a viable alternative to the choked infrastructure of Bengaluru and Mumbai-offering a quality of life that attracts talent, and now, a policy framework that funds innovation.