Applications Invited for Bharat Startup Grand Challenge with Stride Ventures

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About the Organization

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) was established in the year 1995 and was reconstituted in the year 2000 with the merger of the Department of Industrial Development. The department was earlier called Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DPIIT) and was renamed as DPIIT in January, 2019.

In 2018, matters related to e-commerce were transferred to the Department and in 2019, the Department has been given charge for matters related to Internal Trade, welfare of traders and their employees and Startups. The mandate for integrated development of Logistic Sector has also been allocated to DPIIT in November, 2021.

The role of DPIIT is to promote industrial Development of the Country by facilitating investment in new and upcoming technology, accelerate & foreign direct investment and support a balanced development of industries & trade.

The Startup India initiative was announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 15th August, 2015. The flagship initiative aims to build a strong eco-system for nurturing innovation and Startups in the country that will drive sustainable economic growth and generate large scale employment opportunities. Further to this, an Action Plan for Startup India was unveiled by Prime Minister of India on 16th January, 2016. The Action Plan comprises of 19 action items spanning across areas such as “Simplification and handholding”, “Funding support and incentives” and “Industry-academia partnership and incubation”.

About the Grant

Introduction:

India stands at a crucial turning point where CleanTech and FinTech innovations must drive sustainable and inclusive growth. Sustainable recycling, e-mobility, and carbon-neutral technologies are essential for climate action, while alternative credit models, fraud detection, and secure digital transactions enhance financial inclusion. The Stride Bharat Grand Challenge creates a platform for startups to scale impactful solutions, connecting innovators with investors and industry leaders to accelerate India’s transition toward a greener, financially empowered future.

The Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, in collaboration with Startup India, is an initiative aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation in India’s startup ecosystem. This challenge provides a platform for early and growth-stage startups (Seed to Series A), registered with DPIIT, to showcase their groundbreaking solutions in key sectors, with opportunities for funding, mentorship, and market access.

Stride Ventures is a leading venture debt firm in India that supports high-potential startups through customized debt and structured financing solutions. The firm has backed some of India's most successful startups across multiple sectors, providing not just financial support but also strategic partnerships, mentorship, and access to investors. Stride’s portfolio includes industry leaders in fintech, sustainability, e-mobility, and more, making it a key player in India's startup growth story.

Please note that:

• To ensure clarity and impact, all answers must be structured, concise, and data-driven
• Shortlisted startups will be informed via email regarding next steps
• Shortlisted startups may be required to give more detailed financials (historical and projections) and other information for due diligence. This will decide their eligibility for funding by Stride Ventures

Themes for Challenges:

• Sustainability
• Circularity
• E-mobility
• Battery manufacturing
• Fintech
• Recycling
• Refining

Problem Statement:

Sustainable Technologies

Participants may choose either of the two problem statements given below:

Problem Statement 1: Devising cutting edge technological solutions for low-energy refining solutions such as refining processes that run on solar, wind, or bioenergy to reduce carbon emissions or developing chemical and bio-based extraction methods to refine critical minerals, reducing reliance on high-temperature processes.

Problem Statement 2: Create circular business models that simplify waste disposal and material recovery such as recycling as a service platform that connects businesses with certified recycling and refining partners or creating a secondary marketplace for the sale and trade of high-quality recycled materials, promoting the mainstream adoption of circular resources in manufacturing.

Fintech Innovations

Participants may choose either of the two problem statements given below:

Problem Statement 1: Create an affordable, alternative credit scoring model by leveraging data like utility bill payments, rent, and mobile recharges to offer credit to customers without traditional credit history.

Problem Statement 2: Using technology for developing fraud detection and ensuring trust and security for financial transactions across Bharat, such as developing voice authentication and vernacular-friendly interfaces to simplify and secure transactions or developing fraud-detection tools with SMS/IVR alerts to build user trust in digital platforms for rural users.

E-Mobility

Participants may choose either of the two problem statements given below:

Problem Statement 1: Devising carbon neutral supply chains for EVs through either green manufacturing, i.e. low-emission battery production processes, such as direct carbon capture integration in battery plants; or carbon footprint tracking, i.e. developing and integrating blockchain enabled platforms for tracking carbon emissions across the EV supply chain.

Problem Statement 2: Creating sustainable models for greater public adoption of EVs such as EV-as-a-Service i.e. EV fleet-sharing models for last-mile delivery businesses and logistics, or Subscription-Based E-Mobility Platforms, such as on-demand, subscription-based models for e-bikes, e-scooters, or EVs etc.

Incentives:

Fiscal Incentives

Winners will have the opportunity to secure Debt/Equity funding of up to ₹15 Cr, subject to meeting predefined eligibility criteria and necessary due diligence

Non-Fiscal Incentives:

Winners will also have access to -

• B2B connections to Stride’s portfolio companies
• Other AMCs (VC, PEs) and institutional investors
• Mentorship and guidance on GTM, future fundraising, supply chain/ vendor financing, market expansion strategies etc.
• Channel connections and market linkages wherever applicable

Eligibility

• Early and growth stage, new age startups (Seed-Series A)
• DPIIT registered startups

How to Apply

Shortlisted applications will be informed via email within two weeks after the application submission. Prizes and felicitations will take place at Startup Mahakumbh, organized by DPIIT on April 3rd-4th.

Application End Date: 20 March, 2025

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Environment and Sustainability Innovations and Technology Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others