Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027
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Quick Answer
Grant of ₹20 lakh (Bangalore chapter), plus coaching from Swiss Re, for an early-stage urban climate venture in one of eight cities. The 2027 round is closed.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹20L
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Swiss Re Foundation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 September 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Swiss Re Foundation. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The 2027 round of the Swiss Re Foundation Shine programme is closed: applications ran from mid-August to 15 September 2026. The brochure announces no later round, so use this page to prepare in case the Foundation runs Shine again. The Bangalore chapter makes this relevant to Indian founders, and part of the programme is held in person.
Shine is the Swiss Re Foundation's programme for early-stage social entrepreneurs. The 2027 edition, Shine for Cities, backs climate ventures that help cities cut emissions and become more resilient, across eight city chapters: Bangalore, Bratislava, Cape Town, London, Manila, Mexico City, New York and Zurich. The Bangalore grant is INR 20,00,000 (₹20 lakh).
What the program offers
Each chapter has its own grant, and the Foundation shortlists one enterprise per chapter. Besides Bangalore's INR 20,00,000, the amounts are EUR 40,000 (Bratislava), ZAR 300,000 (Cape Town), GBP 40,000 (London), USD 30,000 (Manila and Mexico City), USD 40,000 (New York) and CHF 55,000 (Zurich). Alongside the grant, ventures get Swiss Re expertise in risk, strategy and business development, leadership and executive coaching, help building a scalable climate business model, and access to ecosystem partners and climate networks. The Foundation may reinvest with a larger mandate, up to USD 300,000, in ventures that show scale about 12 months after the programme.
The grant is paid in parts. An initial grant of up to USD 5,000 goes out in early November 2026, and the remaining grant is released in June 2027 after a successful final pitch, co-created with Swiss Re colleagues.
Who can apply
Shine wants entrepreneurs operating in or serving one of the eight cities, so an Indian applicant needs to work in or serve Bangalore. The venture should be 0 to 4 years old, with a minimum viable product and a pilot or commercial launch underway. Solutions should have emissions-reduction potential, a scalable business model with measurable environmental outcomes, and a plan to make climate action affordable or accessible, or to create livelihoods, for low-income communities. Applicants must show a drive for financial sustainability, pursuing revenue beyond grants and building customer pipelines.
Focus areas are energy transition, building efficiency and electrification, sustainable transport, waste and circular economy, urban nature and land use, and climate data, governance and monitoring. It suits a startup with a live pilot and early customers. It does not suit an idea-stage team or a venture outside the eight cities.
How to apply
Applicants filled in the online application form through the Swiss Re Foundation awards portal. A practical tip: be ready to explain how your venture will measure tonnes of CO2 avoided or reduced, since that is the main climate measure named in the brochure, and how it improves lives in low-income communities.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The Foundation runs due diligence on applicants and shortlists one enterprise per chapter between mid-September and early November 2026. The selected ventures join a four-month programme from January to May 2027. It has three modules, on thinking in systems and designing for impact, crafting your impact story and go-to-market, and pitching your business and roadmap. For Bangalore, the indicative module dates are 2 to 5 February, 15 to 18 March and 26 to 28 May 2027, and all dates are indicative and may change. Founders commit significant time for the four months, including 11 in-person days with the rest online. The brochure does not say where the in-person days are held.
About the Swiss Re Foundation
The Swiss Re Foundation reflects the social and humanitarian values of Swiss Re, a reinsurance and insurance company. With external partners and Swiss Re employees, it works to strengthen resilience in low-income communities near Swiss Re locations around the world. It supports entrepreneurial solutions and local charities with tailored financing and access to Swiss Re expertise. Climate KIC, Europe's climate innovation agency, is the ecosystem partner.
Things to check before you apply
- The grant is paid in parts, so most of the money arrives only after the final pitch.
- Plan for the time commitment, including the in-person days.
- Reinvestment is possible but not promised, and is reassessed only after evidence of scale.
- Indian recipients of foreign money should check FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser before applying.
- Check the next call's dates, because they were stated as indicative.
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
Benefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹20L
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
The Bangalore chapter grant is INR 20,00,000 (₹20 lakh). An initial grant of up to USD 5,000 is paid in early November 2026 to the shortlisted enterprise, and the rest is paid in June 2027 after a successful pitch prepared with Swiss Re colleagues. Ventures also get Swiss Re expertise, leadership and executive coaching, and access to partners and investors, and can be reassessed in January 2029 for a second investment of up to USD 300,000 if they show scale.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Duration
- 4 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The Swiss Re Foundation runs due diligence on applicants from mid-September to early November and shortlists one enterprise per city chapter. The remaining grant is released after a successful pitch co-created with Swiss Re colleagues at the end of the programme, and ventures that show scale may be reassessed for a second investment.
Application Process
- 1
Apply
Submit an application for your city chapter.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
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
Is Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027 still open?
No. Applications ran from mid-August to 15 September 2026 and are closed. The brochure announces no later round.
Can an Indian startup apply for Shine?
Yes, through the Bangalore chapter, if the venture operates in or serves Bangalore. The other chapters are Bratislava, Cape Town, London, Manila, Mexico City, New York and Zurich.
How much is the Shine grant for Bangalore?
INR 20,00,000 for the Bangalore chapter. Other chapters have their own amounts, from USD 30,000 to CHF 55,000.
How is the grant paid?
An initial grant of up to USD 5,000 is paid in early November 2026, and the remaining grant is paid in June 2027 after a successful pitch. The brochure says all dates are indicative.
What stage must my venture be at?
It must be 0 to 4 years old, with a minimum viable product and a pilot or commercial launch underway. You must also plan to earn revenue beyond grants.
Is it a grant or equity?
The brochure describes a grant, with possible reinvestment by the Foundation of up to USD 300,000 for ventures that show scale. It does not describe an equity stake.
Do I have to travel?
The programme includes 11 in-person days across the four months, with the rest online. The brochure lists Bangalore module dates but does not say where the in-person days are held.
How much time does it take?
Founders must commit significant time and attention for four months, from January to May 2027. This includes 11 in-person days.
What themes does Shine for Cities fund?
Energy transition, building efficiency and electrification, sustainable transport, waste and circular economy, urban nature and land use, and climate data, governance and monitoring.
Is it free to apply?
The brochure mentions no application fee. Applicants fill in an online form.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
