Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026
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EarthON Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in New York (Forest Hills) that democratizes traditional funding practices by blending philanthropy and investment to unlock the potential of grassroots organizations and early-stage ventures across India and the…
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Selection Process
The selection process for the Greenovation Circularity Challenge involves a multi-stage evaluation. After the application deadline, submissions will undergo an initial screening and shortlisting phase (October 1-6, 2026). This is followed by a detailed evaluation of applications by a selection committee (October 7-25, 2026). Based on this rigorous assessment, attendees for the residential bootcamp will be announced, typically around October 30, 2026. The final selection for winners and access to follow-on funding will be determined at the Grand Finale after the virtual accelerator and residential bootcamp.
Apply Online
Submit your detailed application form via the F6S portal by September 30, 2026.
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Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
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Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
The Greenovation Circularity Challenge offers a share of a ₹20 Lakh non-dilutive prize pool for winners. Additionally, high-potential cohort graduates can access follow-on funding support of up to ₹4 Crore through the EarthON Blended Finance Platform and GreenovatiON Fund.
The challenge is open to registered startups, SMEs, and social enterprises across India that are less than 10 years old. Applicants must have full-time founders and solutions that are at a prototype, pilot-tested, or market-ready stage, focusing on plastic, textile, or food circularity.
The challenge is structured around three action pillars: Plastic (recovery, reuse, recycling of plastic waste), Textile (extending textile life and value recovery), and Food (transforming food waste into economic and environmental value). All solutions must align with one of these circularity themes.
Quick Answer
An innovation challenge supporting startups and SMEs in circular economy solutions for plastic, textile, and food waste management across India, offering a prize pool and access to follow-on funding.
The Greenovation Circularity Challenge is a flagship initiative designed to identify, support, and scale groundbreaking innovations that advance circularity across critical waste streams in India. This program, an initiative by EarthON Foundation in collaboration with Greenovation Hub and SwitchON Foundation, targets startups, SMEs, and social enterprises with solutions for plastic, textile, and food waste.
The challenge focuses on three core action pillars:
Plastic Circularity: Innovations aimed at recovering, reusing, and recycling plastic waste. This includes solutions for waste collection, segregation, and smart sorting technologies; mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic recycling methods; approaches for small-scale recycling of multilayer or low-value plastics; development of bio-based alternatives; promotion of reuse, refill, and circular packaging models; systems for material traceability and recycled-content verification; and models that strengthen the livelihoods and networks of waste-pickers and informal recycling communities.
Textile Circularity: Solutions focused on extending the life of textiles and recovering value from textile waste. This encompasses technologies and processes for collection and sorting; fibre identification and grading; advanced fibre-to-fibre recycling and blend separation; creation of upcycled and regenerated products; implementation of repair, resale, reuse, and take-back models; development of sustainable textile materials; and application of Digital Product Passports and traceability solutions.
Food Circularity: Innovations designed to transform food waste into economic and environmental value. This pillar covers post-harvest management and shelf-life extension technologies; strategies for food waste prevention and surplus redistribution; efficient organic waste collection and resource recovery systems; methods for composting, biogas production, and development of bio-based products; valorisation of food by-products; and initiatives to establish circular food supply chains and traceability.
What You Get
Winners of the Greenovation Circularity Challenge will receive a share of a ₹20 Lakh non-dilutive prize pool to support the implementation and scaling of their field solutions. Beyond the initial prize, selected high-potential cohort graduates will gain a pathway to the EarthON Gurukul program, which offers follow-on funding support of up to ₹4 Crore. This comprehensive support includes mentorship, blended finance options, and investment facilitation through the EarthON Blended Finance Platform and GreenovatiON Fund. Additionally, participants will benefit from a 2-day residential bootcamp for capacity building, mentorship from industry experts, pilot and partnership opportunities with ecosystem partners, and direct access to investors, global climate finance networks, and policymakers.
Beyond the cash prize, participants will receive a 2-day residential bootcamp for capacity building, mentorship from industry experts, opportunities for pilots and partnerships, direct access to investors and policymakers, and global ecosystem visibility. Selected graduates can also access significant follow-on funding and investment support.
Yes, applications for the Greenovation Circularity Challenge are open until September 30, 2026. Interested applicants should ensure their submissions are completed by this date.
The challenge officially launched on August 14, 2026, with webinars scheduled throughout August and September. The application deadline is September 30, 2026, followed by screening, evaluation, and bootcamp attendee announcements in October. A virtual accelerator program will run from November 3-20, 2026, culminating in a 2-day residential bootcamp and the Grand Finale on November 25, 2026.
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