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

Ten distinct programs are currently open for Climate, Energy & EV startups in India, encompassing grants, incubation support, seed funds, and competitions. These initiatives provide financial backing and strategic resources to ventures addressing climate change and sustainable development.

The funding landscape for Climate, Energy & EV in India is supported by a mix of government schemes, institutional programs, and industry-backed competitions. These varied mechanisms aim to foster innovation, facilitate intellectual property protection, and scale impactful solutions across diverse climate-related challenges.

Active Climate, Energy & EV Grants and Programs

Centre of Excellence for Sustainability & Climate Action at C-CAMP (C-CAMP)

The Centre of Excellence for Sustainability & Climate Action at C-CAMP is part of C-CAMP’s Bio for Climate Initiative, launched in collaboration with Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT). This CoE functions as a platform to identify, nurture, fund, mentor, deploy, and scale bio-based climate solutions. The program focuses on innovations at the intersection of climate change with environment, healthcare, and agriculture, utilizing deep biological sciences to address the root causes of climate change and mitigate its impacts.

Key focus areas include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon burden through biotechnology, enabling climate-resilient and climate-friendly healthcare systems, and promoting climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture. The program offers varied amounts of support on a rolling basis, suitable for startups developing biological solutions in the climate sector.

Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy (KBITS)

The Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy is offered by KBITS, Government of Karnataka, for incubated startups officially registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. This program aims to offset the financial costs associated with securing intellectual property rights, supporting technology-driven ventures in Karnataka.

Climate, Energy & EV startups based in Karnataka that are protecting their innovations through patents can benefit from reimbursements up to ₹10,00,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, providing ongoing support for IP protection.

Bharat ClimateTech Initiative (IIMA Ventures)

IIMA Ventures’ Bharat ClimateTech Initiative, a joint effort with MUFG, supports startups building solutions in Climate-tech and Sustainability. The initiative focuses on accelerating the transition to Net Zero and empowering solutions that assist vulnerable communities and industries in adapting to environmental changes. Target outcomes include reducing a million kilograms of CO₂ emissions and saving 10 million liters of water.

This initiative supports up to eight promising early-stage entrepreneurs with catalytic capital and tailored business support, helping them scale innovations. Startups can receive up to ₹40,00,000 in funding, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Katapult Ocean Accelerator (Katapult Ocean)

Katapult Ocean Accelerator, based in Oslo, is an early-stage investor and accelerator for the blue economy. It identifies, invests in, and accelerates startups globally that develop technologies to protect and restore ocean health. The program targets entrepreneurs in areas such as maritime decarbonization, green shipping, ocean renewable energy, sustainable aquaculture, ocean data analytics, biodiversity, marine restoration, and circular economy solutions for ocean resources.

Startups selected for this investment program can receive up to ₹4,50,00,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, seeking ventures that contribute to a sustainable future for the oceans.

SOSV Deep Tech Accelerator Program (SOSV)

SOSV Deep Tech Accelerator Program provides pre-seed and early-stage investment to deep technology startups. Operating as SOSV SF and SOSV NY, the firm's focus extends beyond biology to encompass the entire deep tech spectrum, including AI, energy, materials, chemistry, plasma, and physics. SOSV has a track record in health and climate investments, with its IndieBio graduates raising substantial capital.

The program offers investment up to ₹4,56,50,000. Startups applying to SOSV's programs do so on a rolling basis, targeting ventures with disruptive deep tech solutions that can impact the climate sector.

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

The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is a government initiative under India's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy framework, driven by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), BIRAC, and BRIC-ILS. It aims to inspire innovative, sustainable, and scalable biotechnological solutions from young students and researchers across India.

The challenge, themed "Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES," awards a cash appreciation grant of ₹1 lakh to the top 10 concept proposal winners each month, for up to 120 winners over 12 months. The ultimate challenge prize can be up to ₹25,00,000. Monthly rolling submissions are open for 20 days each month, with the final deadline for the challenge being 31 October 2026.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 is a pre-incubation initiative by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) for early-stage startups. While open to startups offering services across India, it focuses on ventures from eastern, north-eastern, and central India.

Focus domains include Mobility Convenience/Assistance, Tech in Mobility (ADAS, V2X, EV & EV infrastructure, autonomous mobility), and Sustainability (eco-friendly packaging, sustainable fuels, plastic alternatives). Selected startups can receive cash rewards worth ₹13 lakh, opportunities for paid Proof of Concept (PoC) development, mentorship from industry experts, and access to Maruti Suzuki's ecosystem. Applications are rolling.

Indian Innovation Icons 2027 (Marico Innovation Foundation)

The Indian Innovation Icons 2027 program, orchestrated by the Marico Innovation Foundation, identifies and amplifies India's groundbreaking innovations. Now in its 11th edition, the program supports founders and innovators tackling significant real-world challenges by providing strategic mentorship, investor access, business connections, and national visibility.

This initiative welcomes applications from both for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Climate, Energy & EV startups with impactful solutions can apply on a rolling basis, with varying support amounts provided.

Startup League 2026 (Startup Stairs)

Startup League 2026 is India's flagship DeepTech startup funding program, powered by Startup Stairs. Backed by Startup Haryana and aligned with Startup India and DPIIT goals, it supports innovative Indian startups across critical DeepTech sectors such as Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Drone Technology, PCB & Semiconductor, and Defence Technology.

The program aims to help early to growth stage companies secure investment, foster connections with leading investors, and accelerate their business trajectory. Funding up to ₹10,00,00,000 is available. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2026.

Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 (EarthON Foundation)

The Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026, an initiative by EarthON Foundation in collaboration with Greenovation Hub and SwitchON Foundation, identifies, supports, and scales innovations advancing circularity across critical waste streams in India. It targets startups, SMEs, and social enterprises with solutions for plastic, textile, and food waste.

The challenge focuses on three core pillars: Plastic Circularity (recovery, reuse, recycling, sustainable materials), Textile Circularity (innovative recycling, sustainable fashion, waste reduction), and Food Circularity (waste reduction, valorization, sustainable food systems). The program offers funding up to ₹4,00,00,000, with applications closing on 31 October 2026.

Before Applying

When considering these opportunities, applicants should note specific eligibility criteria. The Patent Reimbursement Incentives from KBITS require startups to be incubated and officially registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. The Maruti Suzuki NURTURE program, while open to startups nationwide for services, maintains a focus on eastern, north-eastern, and central India for its pre-incubation initiative. The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is primarily aimed at young students and researchers, emphasizing their innovative biotechnological solutions.

Applicants should prioritize programs with impending deadlines. Startup League 2026 closes today, 15 September 2026. The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge and Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 have deadlines of 31 October 2026. Many other programs, including those from C-CAMP, IIMA Ventures, Katapult Ocean, SOSV, Maruti Suzuki, and Marico Innovation Foundation, accept applications on a rolling basis, allowing flexibility in submission but requiring consistent engagement.