Startup India Patent Facilitation

Startup India Patent Facilitation – Get Patent Filing at ₹0 Professional Fee

If you are a DPIIT-recognized startup, you’re entitled to file patents in India without paying any professional fee—thanks to the Startup India Patent Facilitation Scheme. Through our platform, you can easily connect with empanelled patent facilitators who are authorized under the government’s SIPP (Scheme for Facilitating Startups Intellectual Property Protection) program. Our goal is to make your IP journey smoother, faster, and completely cost-free when it comes to professional assistance.

Whether you’re ready to file a provisional or complete patent, or just want to check your eligibility for the scheme, this page gives you everything you need to know.

Overview of Startup India Patent Facilitation

What is Patent Facilitation under Startup India?

Startup India, a flagship initiative by the Government of India, includes an IP support system to help early-stage ventures protect their innovations. Under this initiative, DPIIT-recognized startups can avail professional help for filing patents, trademarks, and designs—at no professional cost.

This support is implemented via the SIPP scheme, where government-empanelled facilitators assist startups throughout the IP filing process. The government bears their professional charges, so startups pay only the government fees (which are already discounted for startups).

Through our marketplace, you can:

• Submit a request for facilitation in one click
• Get connected with verified SIPP-registered patent agents
• Track your facilitation process from drafting to final decision.

Whether you're building cutting-edge tech or creating a novel process, Startup India ensures you’re not held back by high legal costs.

Key Benefits for DPIIT-Recognized Startups

Here’s why using the Startup India Patent Facilitation Scheme through our platform is a smart choice for eligible startups:

✅ ₹0 Professional Fee for Patent Filing

From patent drafting to responding to examination reports, the facilitator’s professional services are fully reimbursed by the government. You don’t pay anything for these services till the final decision (grant or refusal) of your patent.

✅ Up to 80% Rebate on Government Fees

Startups also benefit from massive rebates on official patent filing fees. For example, startups pay:

• ₹1,600 for filing a patent application (vs ₹8,000 for others)
• ₹4,000 for request for examination (vs ₹20,000 for others)

These savings can significantly reduce your overall IP budget.

✅ Faster Examination Process

Under this scheme, patent applications from startups are taken up on a fast-track basis. This means your patent may be examined and granted faster than standard timelines, helping you commercialize or license your invention sooner.

✅ Verified and Accountable Facilitators

Only facilitators registered under the SIPP scheme and vetted by the government can participate. When you use our platform, you are connected only to such verified experts who are legally bound to assist you ethically and efficiently.

✅ End-to-End Support

Facilitators are responsible for every step, including:

• Understanding your invention
• Drafting the patent specification
• Filing the application
• Responding to examination reports
• Assisting till final grant or refusal

All of this happens without you paying any professional charges.

Eligibility Criteria for Availing Facilitation

To take advantage of the ₹0 professional fee for patent filing, your startup must meet certain conditions laid out by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Here’s a quick checklist to see if you qualify:

✅ You must be a DPIIT-recognized Startup

Only startups that are officially recognized by DPIIT (earlier DIPP) are eligible. If you haven’t received your DPIIT certificate yet, you’ll need to apply for it through the Startup India portal.

✅ Age of Startup

The startup must be within 10 years from the date of its incorporation or registration.

✅ Nature of Entity

You should be registered as a:

• Private Limited Company
• Registered Partnership Firm
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

✅ Turnover Limit

Your startup must have an annual turnover not exceeding ₹100 crore in any of the previous financial years.

✅ Innovation Requirement

Your business idea should be working towards innovation, development, or improvement of products or processes. It must have the potential to generate employment or create wealth.

⚠️ Important: Startups formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business are not eligible for the DPIIT benefits, including patent facilitation.

Once you meet these criteria, you're fully eligible to get a government-sponsored patent facilitator through our platform

What Does ₹0 Professional Fee Mean?

When you file a patent through the Startup India Patent Facilitation Scheme, you don’t have to worry about professional charges. The entire cost of the patent facilitator’s professional services is reimbursed by the Government of India—not passed on to you.

This means that DPIIT-recognized startups pay ₹0 as professional fees from the beginning of the filing process until the patent is granted or refused.

✅ Services Covered Under ₹0 Fee

When you use our platform to request a facilitator, you get connected to professionals registered under the government’s SIPP (Scheme for Facilitating Startups Intellectual Property Protection). The facilitator will guide and support you through:

• Initial consultation and understanding of your invention
• Drafting the provisional or complete specification
• Preparing and filing the patent application with the Indian Patent Office
• Responding to examination reports (FER)
• Support until the final grant or refusal of the patent

All of these services are provided without any professional fee charged to the startup.

⚖️ What You Still Need to Pay

While the professional service fee is covered under the SIPP scheme, there are a few minimal out-of-pocket costs you should be aware of:

• Government filing fees (heavily discounted for DPIIT-recognized startups — up to 80% lower than standard applicants)
• Foreign filing costs (if you wish to extend protection internationally — not covered under this scheme)

💡 Note: Our platform does not charge any facilitation fee to startups for accessing this benefit. You pay only what’s necessary to the Indian Patent Office or third-party services, if opted. You get free trademark & design filing as well.

🎯 100% Transparent. Zero Surprise Costs.

Every facilitator on our platform is bound by Startup India’s facilitation rules and code of conduct. Your focus stays on your innovation—we’ll take care of connecting you to the right expert.

Role of Patent Facilitators under the SIPP Scheme

Patent facilitators are registered professionals (typically patent agents) appointed under the SIPP (Scheme for Facilitating Startups Intellectual Property Protection) by the Indian government. Their primary role is to assist DPIIT-recognized startups in filing and prosecuting patent applications, without charging any professional fee from the startup.

🎓 What Facilitators Are Expected to Do:

• Understand the invention and assess the novelty of the idea.
• Draft the provisional or complete patent specification in accordance with the Indian Patent Act.
• File the patent application on behalf of the startup with all necessary documentation.
• Respond to examination reports (FERs) or any objections raised by the Patent Office.
• Support the startup throughout the process, from filing to grant/refusal.

📜 Bound by Government Guidelines:

Facilitators empanelled under SIPP are required to:

• Provide timely and high-quality services
• Maintain strict confidentiality of the invention details
• Claim professional fees directly from the government upon successful completion of filing or further actions.

These professionals are vetted and listed by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (CGPDTM) and are monitored for compliance.

How Our Platform Helps Startups

Navigating government schemes can often be time-consuming or confusing. That’s where our platform steps in—to bridge the gap between startups and verified facilitators, making it simple, fast, and compliant with SIPP rules.

Here’s how we make facilitation easy for DPIIT-recognized startups:

🤝 Verified SIPP Facilitator Network

We maintain a curated network of government-empanelled patent facilitators. Every facilitator on our platform is listed after a thorough verification process to ensure they are registered under the SIPP scheme and actively assist eligible startups.

📝 One-Click Facilitation Request

Instead of searching multiple directories or writing emails, you can fill out a simple request form on our website. Once submitted, our system forwards your request to available facilitators, who may then contact you directly. You may choose how many patent facilitators you want to connect with.

⏱️ Faster Response, No Middlemen

You’ll be contacted by facilitators themselves or their teams directly. This ensures clarity and saves time.

📩 Support Until Filing Is Done

We also provide basic email support in case you need help during the initial stages of your facilitation process. While the facilitators handle the legal work, we’re here to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.

💡 Note: We do not charge startups any service fee for accessing facilitation through our platform.

Step-by-Step Process to Request Facilitation

Getting started is simple and takes only a few minutes. Here’s a breakdown of how you can request a patent facilitator through our platform:

🪜 Step 1: Check Your DPIIT Recognition

Make sure your startup is officially recognized under the Startup India initiative by DPIIT. If you don’t have the certificate yet, you can apply on the Startup India Portal.

🪜 Step 2: Fill Out Our Request Form

Visit our facilitation page and fill out the short form.

🪜 Step 3: Get Matched with a Facilitator

Your request will be shared with verified SIPP facilitators. One or more of them may reach out to you to discuss your invention and begin the facilitation process.

🪜 Step 4: File Your Patent Application

The facilitator will work with you to:

• Understand your invention in detail
• Draft and file the patent application
• Respond to any objections from the Patent Office
• Support you through to grant/refusal

All this happens with no professional fee charged to you.

✅ It’s that easy. You focus on your startup—we’ll help protect your innovation.

What Happens After Filing?

Once your patent application is filed with the help of a facilitator, the process enters the examination and decision stage. Here's what typically happens next:

🔍 Request for Examination (RFE)

After filing, a request for examination (RFE) must be submitted (usually within 31 months of the filing date). Your facilitator will handle this as part of the process.

📑 First Examination Report (FER)

The Indian Patent Office reviews your application and issues a First Examination Report (FER). This document contains any objections or clarifications required.

• Your facilitator will analyze the FER
• Prepare and file an appropriate response
• Communicate with the patent examiner on your behalf

⚖️ Further Correspondence or Hearing (if needed)

In some cases, the Controller may schedule a hearing or issue further queries. Again, your facilitator will assist and respond accordingly—at no cost to you.

🏁 Final Decision: Grant or Refusal

Depending on the outcome of the examination and responses, the application will either be granted or refused. Throughout this period, your facilitator continues to support you until the final outcome is issued.

💡 Reminder: The facilitator is bound to support you till the conclusion of the application, and they are reimbursed by the government only after completing their duties.

FAQs About Startup India Patent Facilitation

Here are answers to common questions we receive from DPIIT-recognized startups:

Q1. Is this service really free for startups?

Yes. Professional services provided by government-registered facilitators are free for DPIIT-recognized startups. The government pays a pre-fixed fee directly. You only pay the applicable government & out of pocket fees.

Q2. Do I have to apply separately for this scheme?

No. Once you are DPIIT-recognized, you automatically become eligible. You can request a facilitator directly through our platform without applying elsewhere.

Q3. What if my patent is rejected—do I still have to pay anything?

No. Facilitator services are covered till the final decision—whether the patent is granted or refused. You won't owe any professional fee.

Q4. Can I choose my own facilitator?

Through our platform, your request is shared with verified SIPP facilitators. You may receive interest from one or more, and you’re free to proceed with any of them based on your preference.

Q5. Is there a limit to how many patents I can file through this scheme?

There is no specific limit mentioned under the SIPP for the number of patent filings per startup. Each application, however, must be filed with a facilitator following due process.