Energy & Climate Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — November 2026

Indian startups in the Energy & Climate sector currently have 10 active funding opportunities. These programs span grants, seed funds, incubation support, and competitive challenges designed to accelerate innovation in sustainable solutions.The funding landscape for Energy & Climate initiatives in India is supported by a mix of government-aligned schemes, corporate venture capital, and international philanthropic foundations. These programs aim to foster technological advancements and address critical environmental challenges through diverse funding mechanisms and incubation support.

Active Energy & Climate Grants and Programs

CII CRM Startup Innovation Challenge 2026-27 (CII Foundation)The CRM Startup Innovation Challenge 2026-27 is presented by the CII Foundation in collaboration with Cadence Design Systems. This initiative focuses on crop residue management (CRM) in India to counter air pollution. It seeks market-ready or near-market-ready solutions.One selected startup will receive up to ₹10,00,000 in financial assistance. The program also offers mentorship and field-level facilitation to help scale solutions. The goal is to reduce stubble burning and advance a sustainable, low-carbon agricultural economy. Applications close on 15 November 2026.## Balmer Lawrie Startup Fund 2026 (IIM Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre)The Balmer Lawrie Startup Fund 2026, Round 07, is a joint initiative by the IIM Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIML EIC) and Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd. This program, part of Balmer Lawrie's Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) initiative, supports innovation and entrepreneurship. It aims to identify, support, and promote promising startups with significant industry impact potential.The fund offers up to ₹1,00,00,000 (₹1 crore) in grant funding or incubation support. It is open to innovative ventures across India. The application deadline is 15 November 2026.## Global Deep Tech Battle @ CES 2027 (swisstech)The Global Deep Tech Battle @ CES 2027 is an open pitch contest organized by swisstech for deep-tech teams. Startups pitch live at the swisstech Pavilion at CES in Las Vegas in January 2027 across four battles, including CleanTech.Each battle winner receives a US$3,000 (about ₹2.85 lakh) cash prize. The program also provides visibility and opportunities for scaling. Applicants must already be attending CES, as the contest does not provide entry tickets. The entry deadline is 16 November 2026.## Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026 (Novo Nordisk Foundation)Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026 is a climate and health innovation program co-led by Grand Challenges Canada and AVPN, with funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and other partners. It supports innovations that protect people in South and South-East Asia from the health effects of climate change.Awards range from approximately US$250,000 to US$2 million (about ₹2.4–19 crore) per innovation for up to 24 months. While most funding is in grants, partners may also use debt or equity. The application window closes on 18 November 2026.## TISC Telangana Innovation Startup Challenge 2026 (Government of Telangana)The TISC Telangana Innovation Startup Challenge 2026 is a flagship initiative by the Government of Telangana. It invites startups, innovators, researchers, and student teams to co-create solutions for public service challenges across Telangana, which can include environmental and sustainability problems.The program offers a platform to develop and validate solutions in real-world environments, providing access to government stakeholders and domain experts. Funding amounts vary based on the solution and its potential impact. Applications close on 20 November 2026.## Terre de Femmes International Award 2027 (Fondation Yves Rocher)The Terre de Femmes International Award 2027 is a grant from the France-based Yves Rocher Foundation. It targets projects led by women that focus on integrating trees into urban environments. This aligns with urban sustainability and climate action.Two winning projects worldwide each receive €10,000 (about ₹10.9 lakh). This award is for women of legal age, or groups of women, leading projects through non-profit organizations that have existed for at least one year. For-profit startups are not eligible as companies. The application deadline is 1 December 2026.## Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2027 (Singapore Management University)The 13th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) 2027 is a deep-tech startup pitch competition from Singapore Management University. It is open to student and recent-graduate founders focusing on urban and sustainability challenges, making it relevant for Energy & Climate innovators.The competition features a prize pool of over S$2.5 million (about ₹17.5 crore), comprising cash, investment, grants, and professional services. Fifty finalists are selected for an immersive program in Singapore. Applications are free and close on 31 March 2027.## Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant (Temasek Foundation)Temasek Foundation, a philanthropy based in Singapore, offers an open Liveability & Sustainability Innovations Grant Call. This grant supports more mature applied and translational research and development, alongside the commercialization of solutions for liveability and sustainability issues in Singapore, especially in urban contexts.Funding amounts vary depending on the scope of work and are released in phases. Projects can extend up to three years. While solutions from outside Singapore, including India, are welcome, they must benefit or be usable in Singapore, and the lead principal investigator should ideally be based there. This call operates on a rolling basis with no specific deadline.## Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants (Cisco)Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants, provided by Cisco and the Cisco Foundation, support innovative, early-phase, technology-enabled programs run by non-profits and NGOs addressing significant social problems. This can include environmental solutions that tackle social impact.First-time grant recipients can request up to US$100,000 (about ₹95 lakh). Applications are accepted year-round without a deadline. While NGOs outside the US can apply, they must demonstrate equivalence to a US public charity. These grants are not for for-profit startups or individuals.## Maruti Suzuki Nurture Cohort 5 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)The Maruti Suzuki Nurture Cohort 5 program is a pre-incubation initiative by Maruti Suzuki and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, focusing on innovation within the Indian mobility sector. It targets early-stage startups developing solutions for challenges like sustainable products and accessories, which directly applies to the Energy & Climate sector.The program offers support for developing and refining solutions, connecting startups with industry expertise. It provides up to ₹13,00,000 in support. This is a rolling application program with no specified deadline, designed to integrate startups into the mobility ecosystem.## Before ApplyingProspective applicants should carefully review eligibility criteria for these Energy & Climate funding programs. For instance, the Terre de Femmes International Award 2027 is exclusively for women-led non-profit organizations, not for-profit startups. The Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant requires solutions to benefit Singapore and ideally have a Singapore-based lead investigator. Similarly, Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants are also for non-profits and NGOs, not for-profit entities. For the TISC Telangana Innovation Startup Challenge 2026, solutions must address public service problems within Telangana.Several programs have upcoming deadlines in November and early December 2026, including the CII CRM Startup Innovation Challenge 2026-27 and the Balmer Lawrie Startup Fund 2026, both closing on 15 November. The Global Deep Tech Battle @ CES 2027 closes shortly after on 16 November, requiring prior plans to attend CES. In contrast, programs like the Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant, Cisco Global Impact Cash Grants, and Maruti Suzuki Nurture Cohort 5 operate on a rolling basis, allowing for applications throughout the year.