Key Highlights

• MNRE invites innovative startups to join ₹2.3 cr challenge, focusing on affordability, inclusivity, resilience, sustainability.
• Prize pool includes ₹1 cr top award, incubation support, mentorship, pilot opportunities; entries close August 20, 2025. 

The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) started the Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge that is dedicated to the implementation of the rooftop solar (RTS) and distributed renewable energy (DRE) technologies. This was announced in the National Conference on skill development of renewable energy workforce, held at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi.

Being a national-level call on innovation, sponsored by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and co-organized with Startup India and the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the challenge is aimed at finding breakthrough solutions to the challenges of decentralized energy and rooftop solar projects within India.

Under this challenge, startups are invited in green tech, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, construction, energy hardware and waste management categories. They concentrate on four major points: affordability to address the issue of modular systems and circular economy financing and be more resilient in terms of stabilizing the grid, cyber-security; inclusivity in community solar, and virtual net metering when it comes to underserved communities; and environmentally friendly with recycling and models with hybrid and clean energy.

Also Read: Banks and Financial Institutions to Invest Rs 32.5 Trillion in Renewable Energy by 2030

Selected participants will compete for a total prize pool of Rs. 2.3 crore (US$ 265,130), which includes Rs. 1 crore (US$ 115,274) for first prize, Rs. 50 lakh (US$ 57,630) for second prize, Rs. 30 lakh (US$ 34,582) for third prize, and ten consolation prizes of Rs. 5 lakh (US$ 5,763) each. MNRE and NISE will provide winners with incubation support, pilot opportunities, and expert mentorship. Applications close on August 20, 2025, with results announced on September 10, 2025.