Grand Challenge 5 — Up to ₹15L Grant for Power Sector Innovators — Frequently Asked Questions

It is an innovation challenge that looks for smart solutions to problems in electricity distribution. The Centre of Excellence on IIoT Sensors & Maker Village at IIITM-K runs it together with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET). The aim is to find technology that can make power distribution more reliable and support the modernisation of the grid.

Selected solutions can receive grant support of up to ₹15 Lakhs. It is a grant, so the money does not have to be repaid and no equity is taken in exchange. The funding is meant to help you develop and refine your technology for the power distribution sector.

No. The support is structured as a grant, which means it is non-repayable and equity-free. You keep full ownership of your venture while using the funding to build and validate your solution.

Registered startups, established companies and R&D institutions are all invited to participate. Beyond the type of organisation, the key requirement is that your solution addresses one of the two challenge areas. The published criteria do not list a state restriction, and DPIIT or MSME registration is not stated as a condition of applying.

There are two. The first is transformer temperature monitoring, aimed at improving transformer health and reliability. The second is transformer THD and imbalance current monitoring, aimed at power quality and grid stability. Your proposal needs to fall within one of these areas.

There is no fixed deadline. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, which means the programme stays open and you can submit once your proposal is ready. Because evaluation happens as applications come in, it is sensible not to delay indefinitely.

The published criteria do not specify a home state requirement. What the challenge does make clear is that the solutions are meant to serve Kerala's power distribution needs, since KSEB is a partner and the goal is integration into the state's power infrastructure. Your proposal should therefore be framed around that operational context.

You will need to prepare a comprehensive proposal setting out your solution, its technical details, your implementation plan, the impact you expect and the capabilities of your team. Supporting documents should be attached where they are required. Everything is submitted through the online application form.

Applications are submitted through the programme's online application form. You can also reach it from the official listing on StartupFunds.in. Before filling it in, review the two challenge areas carefully so that your proposal clearly aligns with one of them.

Successful applicants receive grant support disbursed according to the programme's terms and milestones. Alongside the funding, selected teams get to collaborate with KSEB and C-MET, validate their technology in real-world conditions, draw on expert mentorship and work towards having their solution adopted within Kerala's power infrastructure.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Grand Challenge 5 — Up to ₹15L Grant for Power Sector Innovators, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.

Grand Challenge 5 — Up to ₹15L Grant for Power Sector Innovators is offered by Maker Village, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.