Climate, Energy & EV Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — June 2026

At least 10 active grants, incubators, and competitions are currently open for climate_energy_ev startups in India as of June 2026. These programs include equity-free grants, accelerator investments, and pitching competitions with combined prize pools exceeding ₹16 crore.

The Indian climate_energy_ev funding landscape is supported by government schemes like DBT's BioE3 challenge, corporate innovation initiatives (Bosch, Maruti Suzuki), university-led incubators (AIC-IIITH, Andhra University), and international competitions (SLINGSHOT). Most programs accept applications on a rolling basis, but several have fixed deadlines in the coming months.

Active climate_energy_ev Grants and Programs

Program	Type	Deadline	Funding
GRO8 Cohort 2 by 888VC	Grant/Incubation	Rolling	Up to ₹4.2 crore
SAMRIDH Impact Accelerator Program 2026	Grant/Incubation	30 June 2026	Up to ₹1 crore
Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program by AIC-IIITH Foundation	Grant/Incubation	Rolling	Up to ₹2.2 lakh
Bharat ClimateTech Initiative	Grant/Incubation	Rolling	Up to ₹40 lakh
Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG)	Grant/Incubation	Rolling	Up to ₹5 lakh
BOSCH - BMU Innovation Challenge	Competition	Rolling	Varies
Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur	Competition	15 July 2026	Up to ₹50 lakh
SLINGSHOT 2026 Deep Tech Startup Pitching Competition	Competition	30 June 2026	Up to ₹2.97 crore
Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4	Competition	Rolling	Up to ₹13 lakh
D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge	Competition	31 October 2026	Up to ₹25 lakh

GRO8 Cohort 2 (888VC)

GRO8 Cohort 2 by 888VC is a 12-week AI-enabled venture accelerator that provides a minimum $25,000 direct investment, with up to $100,000 for standout companies. Selected startups also receive seed funding access up to $500,000 and a startup kit valued at $60,000. The program focuses on integrating AI into daily operations—strategy, sales, finance, product, and fundraising—and is sector-agnostic, making it suitable for climate_energy_ev startups. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with 12 startups per cohort.

SAMRIDH Impact Accelerator Program 2026

The SAMRIDH Impact Accelerator Program 2026 is open to early-to-mid-stage healthcare and climate-tech startups. Each selected startup can receive up to ₹1 crore in financial support, structured as grant, debt, or equity. The program is run by SAMRIDH Impact Solutions Pvt. Ltd., in partnership with government bodies and development partners. Climate_energy_ev startups focused on measurable real-world impact are eligible. The deadline is 30 June 2026.

Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program (AIC-IIITH Foundation)

The Akash Coherent ImpactTech Program is a 4-6 month acceleration program by AIC-IIITH Foundation, supported by Coherent Corp and Atal Innovation Mission. It targets deep-tech solutions addressing social or climate problems at TRL 3 and above. Selected startups receive milestone-based, equity-free grants of up to ₹2.2 lakh. The program focuses on moving prototypes to market-ready products, with mentorship and validation support. Applications are rolling; climate_energy_ev startups with a working prototype are encouraged.

Bharat ClimateTech Initiative (IIMA Ventures)

The Bharat ClimateTech Initiative is run by IIMA Ventures in partnership with MUFG. It supports up to eight early-stage climate-tech and sustainability startups with catalytic capital up to ₹40 lakh and tailored business support. Target outcomes include reducing CO₂ emissions and saving water. Climate_energy_ev startups working on renewable energy, energy efficiency, or EV-related solutions are eligible. Applications are on a rolling basis.

Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG)

The Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) provides up to ₹5 lakh per project for research, prototyping, and startup ideas from the AU ecosystem. Focus areas include green energy, AI, IoT, and materials science. The program offers non-dilutive grants, mentorship, and prototype-to-product support. Climate_energy_ev innovators affiliated with Andhra University or its network are eligible. Rolling applications.

BOSCH - BMU Innovation Challenge (ACIC-BMU)

The BOSCH – BMU Innovation Challenge is a corporate innovation competition by ACIC-BMU Foundation and Bosch India. It seeks solutions for sustainable mobility, electrification, clean technologies, and road safety. Winners receive funding (amount varies) and access to Bosch's ecosystem. The challenge is open to innovators and researchers; climate_energy_ev startups focusing on EV infrastructure, synthetic fuels, or inclusive mobility are encouraged. Rolling applications.

Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE, Nagpur

The Open Challenge Program (OCP) Cohort 1 at NERVE CoE is an 18-month program for AI and DeepTech startups in sectors including energy and climate. Benefits include GPU infrastructure, mentoring, seed funding up to ₹50 lakh, GTM support, and IPR assistance. The program is based at STPI Nagpur. Applications close 15 July 2026. Climate_energy_ev startups leveraging AI for energy management, EV analytics, or climate monitoring are a strong fit.

SLINGSHOT 2026 Deep Tech Startup Pitching Competition

SLINGSHOT 2026 is Asia's leading deep tech pitching competition, organised by Enterprise Singapore. The grand prize is S$400,000 (≈₹2.97 crore), with a total prize pool of S$2.2 million. Categories include Environment, Energy & Sustainability. The competition is open to startups globally; the top 50 receive a sponsored trip to Singapore. Deadline: 30 June 2026. Climate_energy_ev startups with innovative deep tech solutions are encouraged to apply.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

The Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a pre-incubation initiative for early-stage startups. Focus domains include mobility convenience, EV & EV infrastructure, sustainability, and social impact. Benefits include cash rewards up to ₹13 lakh, paid PoC opportunities, and mentorship. The program is open to startups from eastern, north-eastern, and central India. Rolling applications. Climate_energy_ev startups in EV tech or sustainable mobility are eligible.

D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge (DBT)

The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is a government competition under India's BioE3 policy. Monthly winners (top 10 per month) receive ₹1 lakh cash grant, with a total of 120 winners over 12 months. The challenge seeks biotechnological solutions for energy, environment, and employment. Climate_energy_ev startups focusing on biofuels, bioplastics, or sustainable materials are relevant. The final deadline is 31 October 2026, with rolling monthly submissions.

Before Applying

Several programs have specific eligibility constraints. The Andhra University AUCIIG grant is restricted to innovators from the AU ecosystem. Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 prioritizes startups based in eastern, north-eastern, and central India. The SAMRIDH Accelerator targets early-to-mid-stage ventures, while the Akash Coherent program requires a prototype at TRL 3 or above. For the BOSCH-BMU Innovation Challenge, solutions must align with sustainable mobility and clean technologies. DPIIT or MSME registration may be required for some grants—check individual program pages.

Deadlines are approaching for two programs: SAMRIDH Impact Accelerator closes on 30 June 2026, and SLINGSHOT 2026 closes on the same date. The NERVE CoE OCP Cohort 1 deadline is 15 July 2026. The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge accepts monthly submissions until 31 October 2026. Most other programs operate on a rolling basis, but cohort-based programs like GRO8 and NERVE have set intake cycles. Prepare your pitch deck and prototype documentation in advance to meet these timelines.