Published: 14 February 2026PIB / DD News / Free Press JournalEconomy
Cabinet Approves Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with ₹10,000 Crore Corpus to Boost Deep-Tech Startups
The Union Cabinet on February 14, 2026 approved the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0) with a total corpus of ₹10,000 crore, targeting deep-tech innovation, early-stage startups, and technology-based manufacturing ventures. This second phase builds on the original Startup India FoF launched in 2016 and is designed to promote long-term investment and strengthen India's startup ecosystem.
FoF 2.0 will operate as a fund-of-funds model — meaning the government will not invest directly in startups but will channel capital through SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) that, in turn, invest in startups. The corpus prioritises deep-tech verticals including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, green technology, biotechnology, and space tech — all critical for India's aspiration to lead in emerging technologies by 2047.
India is currently home to over 2 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. The scheme complements the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and the newly approved Urban Challenge Fund in creating a holistic innovation-to-industry pipeline. For Rajasthan, the scheme is relevant given the state's growing startup hubs in Jaipur (recognised as a top-tier startup city) and the recently announced Rajasthan Testing Agency (RTA) and RISE schools pipeline as a human capital feeder for the innovation economy.
Mains angle
Q: The Cabinet has approved Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 for deep-tech. Evaluate the fund-of-funds model and its relevance for emerging technologies.
Answer (50 words):
On February 14, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Fund of Funds 2.0 with a 10,000 crore rupee corpus, channelled via SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds into deep-tech verticals including AI, semiconductors, quantum and biotech. Building on the 2016 phase, it supports India's 2 lakh-plus DPIIT-recognised startups, the world's third-largest ecosystem.
6-axis classification
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Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Linked questionEasy
Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 is the updated version of which scheme?
Explanation · Correct answer DStartup India Fund of Funds 2.0 is the second version of the earlier Startup India Fund of Funds/Fund of Funds for Startups framework. Like the original fund, it channels government-backed capital through SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds rather than directly funding startups. Hence option D is correct.
Frequently asked questions
What is the corpus of Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 and when was it approved by the Union Cabinet?
Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet on February 14, 2026, with a corpus of ₹10,000 crore.
What is the fund-of-funds model used in Startup India FoF 2.0?
Under the fund-of-funds model, the government does not invest directly in startups; instead, it channels investments through SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which in turn invest in individual startups.
Which sectors are the primary focus of Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0?
The primary focus is on deep-tech startups in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, space technology, and clean energy.
What is India's rank in the global startup ecosystem and how many DPIIT-recognised startups does it have?
India is the world's third-largest startup ecosystem with over 2 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups.
Which department is the nodal agency for Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 and what earlier scheme does it build upon?
DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) is the nodal agency. FoF 2.0 builds on the original Startup India Fund of Funds (₹10,000 crore, launched in 2016).