Ksum Patent Reimbursement Scheme

The government of Kerala, through

Kerala Startup Mission, has launched a Patent Support Scheme, where support is provided for startups and student entrepreneurs who can secure a patent. Patent Support System intends to support startup entrepreneurs and student entrepreneurs by reimbursing the patent cost including consultation fee, subject to a limit of Rs. 2 lakh per Indian patent awarded. The current article briefs the KSUM Patent Reimbursement Scheme in detail. Know more about Patent Filing Procedure

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for Ksum Patent Reimbursement Scheme are explained below:

The patent applications which are filed only after 09.11.2015 will be considered for this scheme
The patent support can be directly applied by Student Entrepreneurs through their IEDC’s
For a startup, it should be a legal entity registered with RoC as Private Limited or LLP. The schemes do not apply to Innovators.
The startup must be registered in Kerala, within 10 years from the date of Incorporation and must have a DIPP and Udyog Aadhaar
For students, the support will be given only for those who are pursuing the academics
The scheme does not extend support to patent renewals and prosecutions against appellate authorities who have already rejected one’s patent claims.

Benefits of Scheme

The benefits of the Ksum Patent Reimbursement Scheme are explained below:

The scheme reimbursing the patent cost including consultation fee, subject to a limit of 2 lakh per Indian patent awarded.
The scheme reimbursing the patent cost including consultation fee, subject to a limit of 10 Lakhs/International Patent
Activity Covered are: Provisional Patents Filings, Patent Search, Drafting, Filings, Claims Preparations, Fast-tracking Fees, Claims prosecutions, Granting
Activities of Prosecution against Appellate Authorities who have already rejected your claims due to valid reasons and Patent renewals are not covered.
The scheme supports only patents, not trademarks, copyrights, or any other Intellectual Property Rights.

Reimbursement of the Patent Cost

Patent Support System intends to support startup entrepreneurs and student entrepreneurs by reimbursing the patent cost including consultation fee, subject to a limit of Rs. 2 lakh per Indian patent awarded. For awarded foreign patents on a single subject matter, up to Rs. 10 lakh would be reimbursed. The reimbursement will be done in 3 stages during filing, prosecution, and award

Documents Required

The documents required for Ksum Patent Reimbursement Scheme is as follows:

Documents for Startups

An original hard copy of the Invoice and Receipt with authorized seal and signature from Intellectual property rights
India (by a registered Legal Consultant) for Consultation charges and/or IPR charges
Original Bank Statement showing amount transferred (Verified by Bank Manager)
A brief write up of the ideas/ claims applied for a patent
Copy of provisional patent certificate, if any
Patent certificate, in case of a patent, received
Copies of various forms (patent application, early publish, early examination, changes bin original application or any other document relevant to this) or respective receipts from IPR.
Residence Proof details of the director/applicant
Company incorporation documents (Incorporation Certificates, MoA, AoA, DIN nos)
Copy of assigning and assignor agreement, if any. In such a case, NOC from the original inventor for reimbursing the patent cost to the startup to be furnished
In case of the original inventor transferring technology to the startup, a NOC from the original inventor for reimbursing patent cost to the startup to be furnished
In case the patent is filed before forming or registering the company, then such patent costs are reimbursed to startups, where the field patent idea or technology is being pursued by the startup for building business.
Undertaking that the startup has not so far claimed and will not claim patent reimbursement costs from any other organizations/ govt. bodies and if found, they will pay twice the amount to KSUM, which is reimbursed through a patent support scheme
Canceled Cheque of the company and Bank details (Branch name, IFSC Code)

Documents for students

An original hard copy of Invoice & Receipt with authorized seal and signature from IPR India (by a registered Legal Consultant) for Consultation charges and/or IPR charges
Original Bank Statement showing the statement of money transfer verified by Bank Manager
Recommendation letter from IEDC stating that the student entrepreneur is an active member of the IEDC and the project being genuine
A brief write-up of the ideas/ claims applied for a patent
Copy of provisional patent certificate, if any
Patent certificate, in case of a patent, received
Copies of various forms (patent application, early published, early examination, changes in original application, or any other document relevant to this) or receipt from IPR.
Residence Proof details
Letter from College certifying the applying student is currently a student of the institution,
signed by Principal/ equivalent authority
Plans of the project
Undertaking that the startup/applicant has not so far claimed and will not claim patent
reimbursement costs from any other organizations/ govt. bodies and if found, they will
pay twice the amount to KSUM, which is reimbursed through a patent support scheme

Application Procedure for Ksum Patent Reimbursement Scheme

Applications for the Patent Reimbursement scheme can be submitted online through the

official web portal of the Kerala Startup Mission.

Ksum Patent Reimbursement Scheme After providing the details, the above-mentioned documents need to be uploaded with the application. After submission of the online application, a Hard Copy of the following documents should be submitted to KSUM. The documents can either be couriered or submitted to any KSUM Offices.

Originals of Invoice and Receipts by an authorized/ recognized IP Consultant,
Bank Statements verified by Bank Manager

Refunded within 15 working days based on the complete hard documents received at KSUM office After successful completion of Step 1 and 2, one on one call with the KSUM representative is initiated; On confirmation of completeness of documents, the necessary e-file approval process is initiated. On successful verification of documents, an E-File approval is taken for reimbursement by the KSUM representative. The disbursement will be done in the form of a Treasury Cheque in the name of the Startup/ student innovator.

Back to Learn

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Patent Reimbursement Scheme for Startups in Kerala.

The KSUM Patent Reimbursement Scheme is a government initiative by the Kerala Startup Mission to support startups and student entrepreneurs in Kerala by reimbursing the costs associated with obtaining a patent, including consultation fees, subject to a limit of Rs. 2 lakh per Indian patent awarded and Rs. 10 lakh per international patent.

The scheme is open to startups registered as private limited companies or LLPs in Kerala, within 10 years of incorporation, and having a DIPP and Udyog Aadhaar. Student entrepreneurs pursuing academics and operating through their respective Institutional Entrepreneurship Development Cells (IEDCs) can also apply for the scheme.

The scheme covers costs related to provisional patent filings, patent searches, drafting, filings, claim preparations, fast-tracking fees, and claim prosecutions. However, it does not cover patent renewals, prosecutions against appellate authorities that have already rejected claims, or any other intellectual property rights such as trademarks or copyrights.

The reimbursement process is divided into three stages: filing, prosecution, and award. Applicants need to submit the required documents, including invoices, receipts, and bank statements, along with their online application and a hard copy to KSUM. After verification, the reimbursement amount is disbursed via a treasury cheque.

Startups need to provide company incorporation documents, copies of patent certificates or forms, a write-up of the patented idea or claims, invoices and receipts from authorized IP consultants, bank statements, residence proof of directors, and an undertaking that they have not claimed reimbursement from other organizations.

Student entrepreneurs need to provide a recommendation letter from their IEDC, invoices and receipts from authorized IP consultants, bank statements, copies of patent certificates or forms, a write-up of the patented idea or claims, a letter from the college confirming their student status, and project plans.

Yes, if the patented idea or technology is being pursued by the startup for building their business, they can claim reimbursement for patent costs incurred before incorporating the company, subject to providing the necessary documents and an NOC from the original inventor.

The reimbursement process typically takes around 15 working days from the date of submitting the complete hard copy documents to KSUM, provided all the necessary information and documentation is in order.

No, startups and student entrepreneurs need to provide an undertaking stating that they have not claimed and will not claim reimbursement costs from any other organizations or government bodies. If found doing so, they will be required to pay twice the reimbursed amount to KSUM.

Yes, the scheme covers international patent filings, with a higher reimbursement limit of Rs. 10 lakh for awarded foreign patents on a single subject matter.