Get AyuChat free for up to 6 months - built for India's startup ecosystem
If your startup is DPIIT-recognized, you qualify for free access to AyuChat's full WhatsApp automation suite - broadcast, chatbot, commerce and CRM - while you focus on growth, not tooling costs.
Startup Program overview
6 months
Free Access
100+
Startups Onboarded
₹0
Setup Cost
24hr
Application Review
Everything a growing startup needs, without the growing bill
The AyuChat Startup Program is designed to remove one line item from your burn rate - customer communication tooling - while you find product-market fit.
Free Access for Up to 6 Months
Depending on your startup's stage and DPIIT certification date, get 3-6 months of the full Growth plan absolutely free.
Dedicated Onboarding
A founder-facing onboarding session to set up your first broadcast, automation flow and team inbox in one sitting.
Priority Support
Skip the queue - startup program members get priority email and chat support throughout the free period.
Discounted Pricing After
When your free period ends, continue at 40% off standard Growth plan pricing for your first paid year.
Startup Ecosystem Access
Invitations to AyuChat × incubator meetups, founder AMAs and community events across our partner network.
No Setup or Hidden Fees
Zero platform fee during the free period - you only ever pay Meta's official per-conversation charges, if any.
Who qualifies for the Startup Program
- Your startup must hold a valid DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) recognition certificate, issued under Startup India.
- Your DPIIT certificate must be currently active (not expired or withdrawn) at the time of application.
- You need to plan on using WhatsApp as a genuine customer communication or sales channel for your business.
- Incubation is not mandatory - but if you're incubated at a recognized incubator or accelerator, let us know, it strengthens your application.
- Exact free-access duration (3, 4 or 6 months) is determined by your DPIIT certification date and business stage, confirmed after review.
From application to onboarding in 4 steps
Submit your application
Fill the form below with your startup, DPIIT and founder details.
We verify your DPIIT status
Our team cross-checks your certificate against the Startup India registry.
Get your approval & duration
Receive an email confirming your free-access period within 24 hours.
Onboard & go live
Our team helps you connect WhatsApp and launch your first campaign.
Apply to the Startup Program
Takes about 5 minutes. Keep your DPIIT certificate (PDF or image) ready to upload.
Startups from these ecosystems already trust AyuChat
Startup founders on the free period
Startup Program questions
Is the Startup Program only for DPIIT-recognized startups?
Yes. A valid, currently active DPIIT recognition certificate is mandatory to apply. We verify every certificate number against the official Startup India registry.
How long is the free period?
Between 3 and 6 months, depending on your DPIIT certification date and business stage. You'll see your exact eligible duration confirmed in your approval email.
Do I need to be incubated to apply?
No, incubation is not mandatory. If you are incubated at a recognized incubator or accelerator, mentioning it can strengthen your application, but it's not a requirement.
What happens after my free period ends?
You can continue on any AyuChat plan at 40% off standard Growth plan pricing for your first paid year - or cancel any time with no obligation.
How long does approval take?
Most applications are reviewed and approved within 24 hours of submission, provided the DPIIT certificate details are valid and complete.
What is the WhatsApp Business API, and do I need to be technical to use it?
AyuChat is built entirely on Meta's official WhatsApp Business API, but you don't need any coding or technical background to use it - broadcasts, automation flows, the shared team inbox and commerce tools are all managed from AyuChat's dashboard.
I don't have a DPIIT certificate yet - how do I get one?
DPIIT recognition is issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Government of India's Startup India initiative. You can apply directly at startupindia.gov.in; once approved, you'll receive a certificate number to use when applying here.
Is my startup's data secure on AyuChat?
Yes. AyuChat runs on Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform with end-to-end encrypted messaging, and your account and customer data are handled under the same security practices we apply to every paying customer - the free program doesn't mean a lighter security standard.
Is there a limit on team size or how many people can use AyuChat during the free period?
Your team inbox seat limit depends on which AyuChat plan your free access covers - full seat counts are confirmed in your approval email, and you can request more as your team grows.
Can my co-founders also get access to the AyuChat account?
Yes. Once approved, you can add co-founders and team members as inbox seats within your plan's seat limit - there's no separate application needed for each person.
What happens if my DPIIT certificate expires or I need to reapply?
You'll need to renew your DPIIT certificate through Startup India before your existing one expires to keep your free-access status. If your certificate lapses, let our team know and we'll help you transition to a standard paid plan without any service interruption.
How is the Startup Program different from just signing up as a paying customer?
Functionally, you get the same AyuChat product - broadcast, automation, commerce and CRM tools on the official WhatsApp API. The difference is purely commercial: DPIIT-recognized startups get that access free for 3-6 months, with a discounted first paid year afterward, instead of paying standard plan pricing from day one.