ADVAYA Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad - SIIC IIT Kanpur Cohort 2

ADVAYA - Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad is a CSR-backed incubation and acceleration program run jointly by Pernod Ricard India Foundation and the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur. Cohort 2 is now open for applications, targeting tech-driven startups that are building solutions in plastic waste management and the circular economy — from collection and segregation to recycling, reuse, alternative materials, and traceability technology.

The program recognizes that startups at different stages have different needs. Accordingly, it offers differentiated financial support: early-stage startups (idea, prototype, or MVP) can receive ₹8 lakh, while early-to-growth stage startups (working product with early market validation or revenue) are eligible for ₹12 lakh. This funding is non-dilutive, meaning the program takes no equity in return. The grant is released in milestone-based tranches, with structured check-ins throughout the incubation period to track progress.

Beyond the grant, selected startups benefit from several growth enablers. They receive residential training on the IIT Kanpur campus and ongoing mentorship from IIT faculty, industry leaders, and policy experts. They also gain access to SIIC's incubation infrastructure and market access facilitation through partnerships with urban local bodies, industries, and communities — opening doors for real-world pilot deployments. The program also aims to connect startups with follow-on funding from investors and ecosystem partners, helping them scale their impact.

ADVAYA focuses on high-priority segments within plastic circularity. These include collection and segregation, material recovery, recycling and reprocessing, waste-to-value systems, reuse and refill models, alternative packaging solutions, and traceability technology for circular operations. Startups must demonstrate that their solution is relevant to identified demand hotspots within this landscape.

• CSR-backed program by Pernod Ricard India Foundation and IIT Kanpur's SIIC.
• Non-dilutive grant of ₹8 lakh (early-stage) or ₹12 lakh (early-to-growth).
• Residential incubation at IIT Kanpur with mentorship from faculty and industry experts.
• Focus on plastic waste management and circular economy: collection, recycling, alternatives, traceability tech.
• Facilitated market access via ULBs, industry partners, and follow-on funding linkages.
• Applications open until 10 June 2026; apply through SIIC IIT Kanpur's program portal.

To be considered for Cohort 2, your startup must be incorporated and operating in India. The legal structure must be a private limited company with all statutory compliances in place. You must have at least one full-time employee. Your product or technology must be original, proprietary, or duly licensed — off-the-shelf solutions are not accepted.

On the solution front, your startup must operate in at least one of the following plastic circularity domains:

• collection, segregation, or material recovery;
• recycling, reprocessing, or waste-to-value;
• reuse, refill, or alternative materials/packaging;
• traceability, sortability, or circular operations technology.

Two experience stages are accepted. If you are an early-stage startup applying, you should be at the idea, prototype, or MVP stage with a clear execution pathway for your solution. If you are an early-to-growth stage startup, you must have a working product or prototype that has already gained some form of market validation — such as early customer adoption, pilot projects, or revenue.

ADVAYA Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad - SIIC IIT Kanpur Cohort 2 is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for ADVAYA Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad - SIIC IIT Kanpur Cohort 2 closed on 10 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Startups selected for the program receive a non-dilutive grant (no equity taken) of either ₹8 lakh (for early-stage startups) or ₹12 lakh (for early-to-growth startups). This funding is disbursed in milestone-based tranches, tied to the startup's progression through the incubation program. In addition to the grant, recognized benefits include:

• Residential incubation at the IIT Kanpur campus, including training and workspace.
• Access to SIIC incubation infrastructure and facilities.
• Continuous mentorship from IIT Kanpur faculty, industry experts, and policy professionals.
• Market access facilitation through connections with urban local bodies (ULBs), industry partners, and community networks, enabling real pilot deployment.
• Follow-on funding linkages with investors and ecosystem partners to support post-incubation growth.

ADVAYA Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad - SIIC IIT Kanpur Cohort 2 is offered by Pernod Ricard India Foundation, a corporate programme. It is delivered directly by Pernod Ricard India Foundation as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are first screened and evaluated internally by the SIIC IIT Kanpur program team. Startups that pass this internal review are invited to pitch before an expert jury committee, which conducts an external evaluation. After the juries decide, final selection is followed by a due diligence process and formal onboarding of the startup. Once onboarded, milestone-based incubation and dispensation of the grant begin at the IIT Kanpur campus.

Before you apply to ADVAYA Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad - SIIC IIT Kanpur Cohort 2, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

ADVAYA Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad - SIIC IIT Kanpur Cohort 2 is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹8L – ₹12L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.