FICCI Mercedes-Benz Bharat Innovation & Business Ideas Challenge Programme

FICCI, Mercedes-Benz India

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About this Opportunity

The FICCI Mercedes-Benz Bharat Innovation & Business Ideas Challenge Programme is a national-level innovation initiative anchored by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in partnership with Mercedes-Benz India, and supported by Startup India (DPIIT).

The programme is designed to nurture early-stage and growth-stage startups building future-ready, sustainable, and high-impact solutions aligned with India’s economic, social, and sustainability priorities. It aims to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by enabling startups to transform real-world challenges into scalable business opportunities, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Selected participants gain access to mentorship, incubation pathways, industry interactions, and national-level visibility through premier FICCI platforms such as the FICCI Bharat R&D Summit. The programme also enables opportunities for co-development, piloting, and long-term collaboration with Mercedes-Benz India.

Eligibility

  • Startups must be DPIIT-registered and incubated at a Government of India recognised incubation centre
  • Applicants must have a registered legal entity in India
  • Startups should be at or above the functional prototype stage or have pilot-ready solutions
  • Both early-stage and growth-stage startups are eligible
  • Solutions must align with one or more focus sectors: Manufacturing, Sustainability, Education & Growth, Decarbonisation & Road Safety, Automotive / EVs
  • Applicants should demonstrate technology development and integration capability.

Application Process

  • Submit an online application through the official programme portal
  • Applications undergo screening and shortlisting by expert evaluators
  • Top shortlisted startups are invited to pitch before an expert jury
  • Top 7 winners are selected for innovation support and incubation
  • Selected winners undergo a 12-month incubation programme at their respective incubation centres
  • Winners showcase their innovations at national-level FICCI platforms
Apply Online