Who can apply for the program?

The program is open to clean energy start-ups across different stages of maturity, including those developing prototypes or MVPs, validating their solutions in real-world conditions, and scaling commercially viable innovations for broader market deployment and growth.

In which category am I eligible to apply?

Applicants should apply to the category that best reflects their technology maturity and stage of development. Start-ups developing a prototype or MVPs should apply under the R&D Stage (TRL 3-4), those ready to validate their solution in real-world conditions should apply under the Pilot Stage (TRL 5-6), and start-ups with demonstrated commercial viability should apply under the Scale-Up Stage (TRL 7–9). In addition, the solution should align with one of the program focus areas: Energy Access (biomass, biogas, decentralized renewable energy), Energy Storage (alternate battery chemistries, long-duration storage), or Energy Efficiency (cooling technologies, high-efficiency components, and industrial process efficiency).

Are we focusing on other innovation type other than mentioned in the focus areas?

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications for technology-based innovations that focus on solving challenges faced in the energy sector, including access, storage, efficiency, and renewables across the country’s value chain.

Can I submit more than one application for different technologies?

No, one enterprise can submit only one application.

Techtonic Innovations in Clean Energy 2026 – Up to ₹60 Lakhs

Grant providers

Provider

Social Alpha

Bengaluru · Karnataka · India

Social Alpha is a multistage innovation curation and venture development platform created by the Foundation for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (FISE), sponsored and supported by Tata Trusts. Launched in 2016 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Social Alpha supports science…

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Application Process

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Apply Online
Submit your application by the specified deadline of August 21, 2026.
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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.
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Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
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Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.

The energy sector is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with energy-related CO2 reaching a record of 37.5 Gt in 2024. In India, despite rapid growth in renewable energy deployment, challenges such as rising electricity demand, extreme heat, continued fossil-fuel dependence, uneven energy access, and significant gaps in energy storage and efficiency hinder the transition to a resilient low-carbon energy system. The country faces a substantial deployment gap in the Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) sector, impacting millions of livelihoods, with a large percentage of rural households experiencing power outages and many lacking access to clean cooking solutions. Additionally, India anticipates a massive battery demand of 244 GWh by 2035, driven by the need to integrate renewable energy and cope with increasing electricity demand during peak summer months, often met by fossil fuels.

Techtonic: Innovations in Clean Energy is a strategic initiative by Social Alpha designed to address these critical issues. This grand challenge aims to identify and empower science-led and consumer-centric innovations that can effectively resolve bottlenecks across the entire energy value chain in India. The program focuses on fostering solutions that expand the productive use of energy, enhance reliability through advanced storage technologies, significantly reduce energy intensity in key areas such as cooling, MSMEs, buildings, and industrial processes, and accelerate the widespread adoption of clean technologies. By supporting these pioneering solutions, Techtonic endeavors to cultivate a cleaner and more resilient energy system for India, contributing significantly to the nation's long-term climate action and sustainable development objectives.

Financial Support: Up to INR 10 lakhs of credit-based incubation support for R&D stage startups and up to INR 60 lakhs in funding for scale-up deployment. Additionally, selected startups may gain access to seed investment opportunities from Social Alpha, subject to due diligence, and co-investment opportunities with Jakson Green.
Infrastructure & Development: Access to co-working office space and lab infrastructure, coupled with product development support from Social Alpha Labs for designing, rapid prototyping, and design for manufacturing.
Market Access & Deployment: Business expansion opportunities into multiple geographies and specific deployment opportunities in various MSME clusters (Textiles, Foundry, Food Processing).
Testing & Validation: Access to Tata Power's sandbox facilities for crucial testing, validation, and pilot implementation, with potential pilot funding.
Field Deployment: Opportunities for pilot and field deployment with SELCO Foundation, especially for decentralized renewable energy innovations.
Regional Support: Startups based in or targeting solutions for the North-East region will benefit from one year of rent-free residency, along with dedicated deployment and pilot opportunities.

Techtonic Innovations in Clean Energy 2026

Techtonic Innovations in Clean Energy 2026

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