Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI
A national energy innovation competition by FIPI for DPIIT-recognised Indian startups, with cash prizes of ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh, mentorship, investor introductions and a showcase slot at India Energy Week '27. Apply by 15 October 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹1L – ₹3L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) (NGO / Foundation)
- Application deadline
- 15 Oct 2026
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Avinya'27 is a nationwide competition for energy startups, organised by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI). It is the latest edition of a challenge FIPI has run before, and its purpose is to surface new technologies and business models from across India's energy sector.
The challenge is framed around the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Entries are judged on innovation, socio-economic impact, sustainability and diversity in the energy ecosystem, and founders, research enthusiasts and students are all encouraged to take part.
Solutions can sit anywhere along the energy value chain — renewable energy such as solar, hydro and wind; alternative fuels including biofuels and green hydrogen; low-carbon technologies such as CCUS and e-mobility; and the hydrocarbon value chain covering oil and gas and coal gasification. Functional areas like AI/ML, digital technology and energy trading are also in scope.
What sets Avinya'27 apart is the platform attached to it. The most promising startups pitch to a jury of venture capitalists, energy experts, industry stalwarts and incubator leaders, and the winners are felicitated at India Energy Week 2027 in January 2027. That puts participants directly in front of the policymakers, investors and corporate decision-makers shaping the sector, which matters as much as the prize money for early-stage companies chasing partnerships and validation.
Applications open on 25 July 2026 and close on 15 October 2026 at 11:59 PM IST. Entries are filed online through the Startup India portal.
Highlights
- Cash prizes of ₹3 lakh, ₹2 lakh and ₹1 lakh for the top three startups
- Top 5 receive industry mentorship and introductions to curated investor cohorts
- Exhibition space to showcase solutions at India Energy Week '27
- Potential PoC and pilot projects with industry partners
- Open to DPIIT-recognised Indian startups, ideation stage to Series C
- Apply on the Startup India portal by 15 October 2026, 11:59 PM IST
Who can apply
Who can apply: DPIIT-recognised Indian startups, founded by Indian citizens, working on a solution tied to the energy value chain.
- Recognition: the applicant must be a DPIIT-recognised startup.
- Nationality: open to Indian citizens.
- Startup stage: ideation through Series C — bootstrapped, pre-seed, Series A, Series B and Series C companies are all eligible, so maturity level is not a barrier.
- Company age: no more than 10 years since the date of incorporation, calculated as of 1 January 2027.
- Turnover: annual turnover must be under ₹100 crore.
- Sector fit: the solution has to relate to the energy value chain, covering themes such as renewable energy, alternative fuels, low-carbon technology and oil & gas.
- Formation: the entity must not have come about by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business.
Concept-stage and ideation entries are accepted, so a finished product is not a prerequisite for applying.
Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Applications for Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI are open and the current deadline is 15 Oct 2026. Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
Prize money for the top three: ₹3 lakh for the winner, ₹2 lakh for the first runner-up and ₹1 lakh for the second runner-up.
For the top five startups: industry mentorship, facilitated introductions to curated investor cohorts, and an exclusive exhibition space at India Energy Week '27 to showcase their work.
Further support the top startups may access: a shared incubation workspace, lab facilities and prototyping infrastructure, along with fast-tracked procurement pathways and a potential opportunity to work on Proof of Concept (PoC) and pilot projects with industry partners, testing solutions in real-world conditions.
For the top ten startups: certificates of recognition and enhanced visibility through FIPI's platforms, which improves discoverability within the energy ecosystem.
About the provider
Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI is offered by Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI). It is delivered directly by Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Assessment happens across two competitive rounds.
- Round 1 — Screening: every submitted application is reviewed against predefined evaluation criteria. The most promising solutions and business cases move ahead, and the top 10 applications are selected for the next stage.
- Round 2 — Pitch round: those ten startups present their detailed business case and solution to a high-profile jury made up of venture capitalists, industry stalwarts, energy experts and incubator leaders.
- Winner selection and felicitation: on the basis of those presentations, the top 5 winners are chosen and felicitated at India Energy Week 2027.
On the application side, submissions open on 25 July 2026 and must be filed online through the Startup India portal by 15 October 2026, 11:59 PM IST. Applications should be complete and should address the identified themes and problem statements.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI, 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.
Who this is best for
Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1L – ₹3L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does Avinya'27 offer?
The challenge awards cash prizes to the three best entries: ₹3 lakh for the top winner, ₹2 lakh for the runner-up and ₹1 lakh for the team in third place. Startups finishing in the top five also receive mentorship and introductions to curated investor cohorts, while the top ten are given certificates of recognition and visibility through FIPI's platforms.
Who is eligible to enter the Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge?
You need to be a DPIIT-recognised Indian startup with Indian citizen founders, and your solution must relate to the energy value chain. Your company should be within 10 years of incorporation as of 1 January 2027, have annual turnover below ₹100 crore, and must not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business.
Is DPIIT recognition compulsory to apply?
Yes. Being a DPIIT-recognised Indian startup is a stated eligibility condition for the challenge, so it is worth confirming your recognition status before you begin the application.
My startup is only at the idea stage. Can I still apply?
Yes. Entries are accepted from the ideation stage all the way up to Series C, which covers bootstrapped, pre-seed, Series A, Series B and Series C companies. A concept note without a finished product is welcome — the organisers explicitly invite participants to present an idea and explain how it could benefit the energy sector.
What kind of solutions and sectors is the challenge looking for?
Solutions should sit somewhere along the energy value chain. That includes renewable energy such as solar, hydro and wind; alternative fuels such as biofuels and green hydrogen; low-carbon technologies such as CCUS and e-mobility; and the hydrocarbon value chain covering oil & gas and coal gasification. Functional areas including AI/ML, digital technology and energy trading also fall within scope.
Are there any restrictions on the age or size of the applying company?
Two limits apply. Your startup must have been incorporated no more than 10 years ago, counted as of 1 January 2027, and its annual turnover must be less than ₹100 crore. Entities created by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business are not eligible.
What is the deadline, and where do I submit my application?
Applications open on 25 July 2026 and close on 15 October 2026 at 11:59 PM IST. Submissions are made online through the Startup India portal. Try to send a complete application that addresses the identified themes and problem statements, since that is what the screening round is judged on.
How are the winners selected?
There are two rounds. In Round 1, all applications are screened against predefined evaluation criteria and the top 10 are shortlisted. In Round 2, those ten startups present their business case to a jury of venture capitalists, industry stalwarts, energy experts and incubator leaders, and the top 5 winners are chosen from those pitches. Winners are felicitated at India Energy Week 2027.
Does the programme take equity in my startup?
Avinya'27 is a competition rather than an investment round. What it offers is cash prize money, mentorship, investor introductions and showcase opportunities — the stated rewards do not include an equity stake in your company, and no shareholding requirement is mentioned as a condition of participating.
What do shortlisted and winning startups get beyond the cash prize?
The top five receive industry mentorship, facilitated introductions to curated investor cohorts and a designated exhibition space at India Energy Week '27. They may also gain access to a shared incubation workspace, lab facilities and prototyping infrastructure, fast-tracked procurement pathways, and the chance to work on Proof of Concept and pilot projects with industry partners. The top ten receive certificates of recognition and enhanced visibility through FIPI platforms.
I have an unanswered question, or I've already submitted an incomplete application. Who do I contact?
Write to the organisers at energystartupchallenge@gmail.com. You can also reach Mr. Karan Karwal, Senior Assistant Director at the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), at karan@fipi.org.in. If you have already submitted an incomplete application, email the organisers and they will advise you on how to proceed.
Who offers Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI?
Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI is offered by Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI). It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI
Not sure Avinya'27 Energy Startup Challenge — ₹1L–₹3L Prizes, FIPI is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
Ask anything about eligibility, documents or the process — answered by the community.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.