Tribal Business Conclave Open Grand Challenge
By Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
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Quick Answer
Ministry of Tribal Affairs invites DPIIT-recognised startups to solve healthcare, education, and livelihood challenges for tribal communities — ₹12 lakh prize pool.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹12 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 June 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
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.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Create a free account to view.
Organizers
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the apex ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities across India. Beyond social welfare, it actively funds entrepreneurship and startup initiatives…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹12 Lakhs
What You Get
- Total prize pool of ₹12,00,000.
- 1st Prize: ₹5,00,000
- 2nd Prize: ₹4,00,000
- 3rd Prize: ₹3,00,000
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Application Process
- 1
Application
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
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.








