Friday, 1 May 2026 — 15 June 2026
Prize Pool
₹12 Lakhs
Registration Deadline
15 Jun 2026
Tribal Business Conclave Open Grand Challenge is a national innovation competition launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with Startup India. The challenge
calls upon DPIIT-recognised startups to develop innovative, contextual, and scalable solutions addressing the most pressing developmental challenges faced by India's tribal communities across three critical sectors: healthcare, education, and livelihoods. Who Should Apply All DPIIT-recognised startups are eligible — at any stage from Ideation to Scaling. A wide range of domains are relevant, including AI, computer vision, agriculture, fintech, green technology, and enterprise software. Founders do not need to be from a Scheduled Tribe background; the challenge is explicitly open to all recognised startups. Themes & Problem Statements Three core problem areas define this challenge: Healthcare: Build inclusive, accessible, and culturally attuned healthcare solutions for tribal regions — addressing infrastructural gaps, strengthening healthcare human resources, and improving health-seeking behaviour through community-driven and technology-enabled interventions. Education: Develop innovative solutions for recruiting, training, and retaining a skilled teaching workforce in tribal areas, including capacity-building tools and platforms for educators. Livelihoods: Create solutions that build a resilient and sustainable livelihood ecosystem for tribal communities — improving market access, access to credit, value addition, and design support for tribal artisans and entrepreneurs. Format & Timeline This is a portal-based submission challenge run through the official Startup India platform. Applications open May 1, 2026 and close June 15, 2026. Results will be announced on July 10, 2026. Three winning startups will receive monetary incentives from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Prizes Total prize pool of ₹12,00,000 distributed across three winners: - 1st Prize: ₹5,00,000 - 2nd Prize: ₹4,00,000 - 3rd Prize: ₹3,00,000 Eligibility All DPIIT-recognised startups across India are eligible to apply, regardless of founding team background. Open to startups at Ideation, Validation, Early Traction, and Scaling stages. How to Apply Apply through the official Startup India portal. Registration closes June 15, 2026.
Open to all DPIIT-recognised startups at any stage (Ideation to Scaling). No tribal background requirement — all recognised startups are eligible.
1st
₹5,00,000
2nd
₹4,00,000
3rd
₹3,00,000
Prize Pool
₹12 Lakhs
Registration Deadline
15 Jun 2026
Space, drone or manufacturing startups at product stage seeking a global accelerator.
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Deeptech, AI or cleantech founders at any stage seeking a top global accelerator.
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Healthtech founders at product or revenue stage seeking a top global accelerator.
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Student founders building deeptech, AI or agritech solutions at idea or product stage.
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Startups at any stage focused on circular economy or plastic waste reduction innovations.
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Prototype / ignition grant up to ₹10 lakh per startup · DST NIDHI i-TBI scheme run by Uttishthati Foundation at NIT Hamirpur · Focus: DeepTech & AI, Renewable & Green Energy, Smart & Sustainable Construction, AgriTech (incl. Himalayan Bio-Resources), HealthTech & Life Sciences · Expert mentorship, industry guidance and NIT Hamirpur innovation ecosystem access
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Up to ₹10 lakh equity-free seed support per startup · Karnataka TBI 2.0 programme at KLE Tech Belagavi (₹10 cr govt backing per TBI) · Dedicated 5,100 sq. ft. incubation facility at Dr M S Sheshgiri Campus · Tri-state mandate — open to founders from Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra
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₹3–5 lakh grant support · 4-week intensive AI prototype sprint · Hybrid format — virtual + RTIH hubs/spokes across AP · Backed by Govt. of Andhra Pradesh (RTIH)
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Up to ₹30 lakh seed grant · Equity-free / non-dilutive · For early-stage maritime startups across India · Virtual incubation + mentorship from IIMK LIVE
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Women founders in Maharashtra at any stage seeking mentorship and acceleration.
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Notion for Startups
Rs. 5 Lakhs+ in Notion creditsZoho for Startups
Up to ₹1.86 lakhs in Zoho Wallet credits (Stage 1 + Stage 2)Google for Startups Cloud Program
Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits over 2 yearsMicrosoft for Startups Founders Hub
Up to $150,000 in Azure creditsHuawei Cloud Startup Program
Up to $150,000 in Huawei Cloud cash credit vouchersMixpanel for Startups
Up to $145,000 (first year free on the Startup Plan)Razorpay Startup Perks
Up to ₹1 Cr in benefits (VC-funded: ₹30L domestic + ₹20L intl payment credits + ₹50L SaaS benefits; Angel-funded: ₹3L + ₹3L payments + ₹20L SaaS)Akamai Cloud Rise Start-Up Program
Up to $120,000 in cloud credits in year oneDigitalOcean Hatch
Up to $10,000/month in DigitalOcean credits for 12 months (AI-native startups)IBM for Startups
Up to $120,000 in IBM Cloud creditsAWS Activate
Up to $100,000 in AWS Activate Credits (Portfolio); $1,000 (Founders)Datadog for Startups
Up to $100,000 in credits over one yearNetElixir
Simply Updify
QuizCred
LNCT Group of Colleges, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Apex Institute of Management, Chandigarh University
FOSS CLUB PU, Pondicherry University
Manipal University (MU), Jaipur

