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.
