MC²+ Grand Butanol Challenge
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Quick Answer
India's flagship energy innovation platform, uniting seven of the country's largest energy majors to carry ventures from the lab bench to industrial scale, focusing on indigenous n-Butanol and iso-Butanol production.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹7.5Cr
- Funding type
- Equity
- Provider
- MC² Foundation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 August 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by MC² Foundation. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this funding program
Multiply · Collaborate · Create, where ideas multiply, institutes collaborate and visionaries create energy ventures. The MC²+ Grand Innovation Challenge is India's flagship energy innovation platform, an initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) in association with the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. It unites seven of the country's largest energy majors to carry ventures from the lab bench to industrial scale.
The challenge specifically invites innovators, startups, technology developers, and research and academic institutions to propose indigenous, scalable, and commercially viable technologies for the production of n-Butanol and iso-Butanol as next-generation diesel-blending fuels. Solutions are sought across multiple Challenge Areas, including fermentation-based production, catalytic production, and other innovative production/bio-blend pathways.
MC²+, convened by the MC² Foundation, provides energy startups with structured access to world-class R&D infrastructure, funding opportunities, real-world piloting environments, technical mentorship, and strategic industry partnerships to enable the commercialization of breakthrough technologies, accelerating innovation across India's energy ecosystem.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Funding providers
MC²+ is the energy innovation platform run by MC² Foundation (also written MC2 Foundation), a not-for-profit company registered as a Section 8 company and led by India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). It is often searched as MC2 Plus or MC2 Ignite. Seven oil and…
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Learn moreHindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise that sells fuels, LPG and lubricants across India and runs its own refineries. Its startup programme, HP Udgam, helps innovators and entrepreneurs test an idea, validate a proof of…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹7.5Cr
What You Get
- Grant Funding: Selected applicants can receive up to ₹7.5 crore in aggregate, extended as milestone-linked development funding. This support aims to facilitate progression from proof-of-concept to pilot-scale demonstration.
- Prize Money: An aggregate prize pool of up to ₹5 crore is available, awarded as outcome-linked prize money to the best-performing solution(s) at the culmination of the Grand Challenge evaluation process.
- Equity Participation: In consideration of the grant funding, facilitation, mentorship, and market-access support, MC² Foundation shall be entitled to sweat equity in the selected applicant entity. The quantum and terms will be mutually agreed upon.
- Facilities & Mentorship: Selected teams will gain access to cutting-edge R&D facilities, advanced equipment, pilot, and demonstration-scale infrastructure. They will also benefit from expert technical mentorship and co-working space.
- Incubation Support: Access to incubation support will be provided at leading institutes drawn from MC² Foundation's co-promoting CPSEs and its knowledge/implementation partners.
- Pathway to Commercialisation: Successful teams will be considered for progression to pilot-scale demonstration and, subject to validation, potential commercial off-take discussions with MC² Foundation's promoting PSU partners, offering significant market access opportunities.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The selection process involves multiple stages to identify the most promising solutions. Initially, applications are screened for eligibility and completeness against the defined criteria. Following this, a technical evaluation is conducted by a dedicated screening committee or jury constituted by the MC² Foundation. This committee assesses the technological merit, scalability, and commercial viability of the proposed solutions. For the prize money, demonstrated outcomes against the challenge objectives are a primary consideration, with final decisions made at the sole discretion of the jury/evaluation committee.
Application Process
- 1
Submit Application
Applicants prepare and submit their detailed solution proposal via the official portal.
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MC2+ Grand Butanol Challenge?
The MC2+ Grand Butanol Challenge is India's flagship energy innovation platform, an initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. It aims to develop indigenous, scalable, and commercially viable technologies for producing n-Butanol and iso-Butanol as next-generation diesel-blending fuels, uniting major energy companies with innovators and startups.
Who is eligible to apply for this challenge?
Applications are open to a wide range of participants, including startups, MSMEs, academic and research institutions, corporates, industry R&D teams, and individual innovators/technologists. Applicants can participate either individually or as part of a consortium.
What kind of funding and support does the program offer?
The program offers a Grant Pool of up to ₹7.5 crore in aggregate as milestone-linked development funding. There's also a Prize Pool of up to ₹5 crore for best-performing solutions. Additionally, the MC² Foundation will be entitled to sweat equity in selected entities. Beyond funding, participants receive access to R&D facilities, technical mentorship, co-working space, incubation support, and pathways to commercialisation including potential off-take discussions with PSU partners.
What are the key focus areas of the challenge?
The challenge is focused on developing technologies for n-Butanol and iso-Butanol production. This includes various Challenge Areas such as fermentation-based production, catalytic production, and other innovative production or bio-blend pathways, all with an emphasis on indigenous and scalable solutions.
What is the application deadline for the MC2+ Grand Butanol Challenge?
The application window for the challenge closes on August 15, 2026, at 11:59:59 PM IST. Applicants are advised to submit their applications in the prescribed format through the official website within this timeframe.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
