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

Ten programs, including grants, incubation opportunities, seed investments, and competitions, are currently open for Climate, Energy & EV startups in India. These initiatives aim to support the development and scaling of solutions crucial for a sustainable future. The funding landscape for climate-focused ventures in India features significant government incentives, institutional acceleration programs, and targeted innovation challenges. These efforts collectively foster solutions across various sub-sectors, providing support for both early-stage development and scaling efforts within the clean energy, electric mobility, and climate technology domains.

Active Climate, Energy & EV Grants and Programs

Patent Reimbursement Incentives (KBITS)

The Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy, spearheaded by the Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS), a Government of Karnataka agency, offers financial support for intellectual property. This program is specifically designed for incubated startups officially registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell.

The policy aims to mitigate the financial burden associated with securing patent rights, which is essential for technology-driven ventures. Eligible startups can receive up to ₹10,00,000 in reimbursement for patent-related expenses, helping them protect innovations and maintain a competitive edge within Karnataka’s startup ecosystem.

Bharat ClimateTech Initiative (IIMA Ventures)

IIMA Ventures, in collaboration with MUFG, runs the Bharat ClimateTech Initiative to support startups building real-world solutions in Climate-tech and Sustainability. The program addresses urgent global challenges by empowering solutions that help communities and industries adapt to environmental changes and accelerate the transition to Net Zero.

This initiative supports up to eight promising early-stage entrepreneurs, providing catalytic capital of up to ₹40,00,000. Participants also receive tailored business support designed to help them scale their innovations into impactful solutions, with target outcomes including reducing CO₂ emissions and saving water.

Katapult Ocean Accelerator (Katapult Ocean)

Katapult Ocean, an Oslo-based accelerator and early-stage investor, focuses on the blue economy. The Katapult Ocean Accelerator (Investment Program) identifies, invests in, and accelerates innovative global startups developing technologies to protect and restore ocean health.

The program targets entrepreneurs with solutions in areas such as maritime decarbonization, ocean renewable energy, sustainable aquaculture, ocean data analytics, marine restoration, and circular economy solutions. Selected ventures can receive investment of up to ₹4,50,00,000, fostering a sustainable future for the planet’s oceans.

SOSV Deep Tech Accelerator Program (SOSV)

SOSV is a global venture capital firm providing pre-seed and early-stage investment to deep technology startups. The SOSV Deep Tech Accelerator Program (SOSV SF & SOSV NY) has expanded its focus beyond biotech to encompass the entire deep tech spectrum, including AI, energy, materials, chemistry, plasma, and physics.

SOSV SF and SOSV NY offer investment of up to ₹4,56,50,000 to selected startups. The firm has a track record of supporting groundbreaking ventures in health and climate, with its graduates raising substantial follow-on funding.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components Industry (Ministry of Heavy Industries)

Under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components Industry aims to boost domestic manufacturing. This flagship initiative provides financial incentives to eligible automobile and auto component manufacturers.

The scheme supports the production of advanced automotive technology products, including electric vehicles and their components. It helps overcome cost disabilities and foster economies of scale, making India a global manufacturing hub. The total incentive outlay for this scheme is up to ₹64,85,00,00,000, designed to attract substantial investment and strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem.

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

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), BIRAC, and BRIC-ILS drive the D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge. This government initiative, part of India's BioE3 policy, aims to inspire innovative biotechnological solutions from young students and researchers across India.

The challenge, themed "Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES," seeks sustainable and scalable biotechnological solutions. It runs for 12 months, with rolling monthly submissions open for 20 days each month until 31 October 2026. Round 1 awards a cash appreciation grant of ₹1,00,000 to the top 10 concept proposal winners each month, alongside mentorship and access to iBRIC+ institutions and Bio-NEST incubators.

Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) jointly present Maruti Suzuki NURTURE Cohort 4. This pre-incubation initiative targets early-stage startups, with a focus on eastern, north-eastern, and central India, though services can be offered nationwide.

The program focuses on domains such as Mobility Convenience/Assistance, Tech in Mobility (ADAS, V2X, EV & EV infrastructure, autonomous mobility), Sustainability (eco-friendly packaging, sustainable fuels, plastic alternatives), Social Impact, and Enterprise & Manufacturing. Benefits include cash rewards worth ₹13,00,000, opportunities for paid Proof of Concept (PoC) development, mentorship, and access to Maruti Suzuki's ecosystem.

Indian Innovation Icons 2027 (Marico Innovation Foundation)

Marico Innovation Foundation's Indian Innovation Icons 2027 is a biennial platform for unearthing groundbreaking Indian innovations. Now in its 11th edition, the program supports visionary founders and innovators tackling real-world challenges.

This initiative provides strategic mentorship, investor access, business connections, and national visibility. It accepts applications from both for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations, with funding amounts varying based on the innovation and its needs.

Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 (EarthON Foundation)

EarthON Foundation, in collaboration with Greenovation Hub and SwitchON Foundation, organizes the Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026. This initiative supports and scales innovations advancing circularity across critical waste streams in India.

The challenge focuses on plastic, textile, and food waste. It seeks solutions for plastic circularity (recovery, reuse, recycling), textile circularity (waste collection, upcycling, innovative materials), and food waste circularity (prevention, valorization, sustainable packaging). Winners can receive up to ₹4,00,00,000 in support. The deadline for this program is 31 October 2026.

Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi (Electropreneur Park)

Electropreneur Park's Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi is an Open Challenge Program empowering startups to solve real-world problems in the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) domain. It identifies and supports aspiring and early-stage tech entrepreneurs across India.

The program offers strategic networking, seed funding, expert mentoring, and support for training, marketing, and patenting activities. Participants gain access to Electropreneur Park's Centers of Excellence (CoE) labs, specialized tools, software, and incubation facilities. The deadline for this program is 6 October 2026.

Before Applying

Careful consideration of eligibility criteria is necessary before applying to these programs. For example, the Karnataka Startup Policy's Patent Reimbursement Incentives are exclusively for incubated startups registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme requires eligible automobile and auto component manufacturers to be producing advanced automotive technology products. Additionally, Maruti Suzuki NURTURE focuses on early-stage startups and initially targets eastern, north-eastern, and central India, though its services are available nationwide.

Several programs have approaching deadlines. The Electropreneur Park OCP 3.0 Delhi closes today, 6 October 2026. Both the D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge and the Greenovation Circularity Challenge 2026 have deadlines on 31 October 2026. Many other programs, such as those from IIMA Ventures, Katapult Ocean, and SOSV, operate on a rolling intake basis, allowing for applications throughout the year.