R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2026
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Quick Answer
Global competition for sustainable fashion innovations by designers and startups, offering seed funding and mentorship.
- Funding amount
- ₹5L – ₹15L
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Reliance Industries
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 14 April 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Reliance Industries. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
R|Elan Circular Design Challenge is a global design competition by R|Elan, an initiative of Reliance Industries, in partnership with United Nations India, Lakmé Fashion Week, and FDCI. It aims to identify and support designers, entrepreneurs, and startups engaged in sustainable fashion innovation. The program offers significant support including seed funding and mentorship from global sustainability experts.
Participants are selected to showcase their collections at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in India. The total prize pool exceeds Rs. 20 lakhs, distributed between a winner and a runner-up. The winner receives INR 15 lakhs in seed funding, a trophy, and six months of mentorship. The runner-up is awarded INR 5 lakhs in seed funding and mentorship.
The challenge focuses on promoting circularity across the textile value chain through the use of recycled materials, innovative dyes, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. It seeks original, unpublished work demonstrating measurable environmental and social benefits within the sustainable fashion and textile industry.
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.
Grant providers
Reliance Industries Limited is India's largest private-sector company, headquartered in Mumbai. Founded in 1966, Reliance operates across retail, telecom, media, energy, and technology verticals. Through JioGenNext, its startup accelerator programme launched in 2013, Reliance…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- ₹5L – ₹15L
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Funds come as a competition award — seed funding to scale the winner's sustainable fashion venture. The total prize pool exceeds ₹20 lakh (the site quotes a $18,000+ monetary award), split between a winner and a runner-up: ₹15 lakh in seed funding plus a trophy and six months of mentorship for the winner, and ₹5 lakh in seed funding with mentorship for the runner-up. Non-cash benefits include bespoke mentorship led by Orsola De Castro through Estethica, a showroom space at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI for direct buyer engagement, and — for the winner — an on-schedule solo showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI.
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.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
