Greenovation DRE for Livelihoods Challenge – EarthON & Startup India

The Greenovation Renewable Energy for Livelihood Challenge is a comprehensive grant initiative, backed by Startup India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Its primary goal is to identify, fund, and help scale innovative clean energy solutions that enhance livelihoods within India's rural and peri-urban areas.

This annual program, managed by Greenovation Hub and EarthON Foundation, provides non-dilutive catalytic funding of up to ₹20 lakh to each of the ten selected companies, meaning no equity stake is taken. The challenge specifically targets decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions across critical areas such as cold chain and food preservation, solar-powered irrigation, water access, productive use cases for rural livelihoods, operational and service ecosystems, women-led DRE enterprises, and data and finance platforms. Practical applications include solar cold storage, community water purification systems, DRE-powered livelihood equipment, and digital tools for performance monitoring.

Beyond financial support, successful applicants participate in an intensive 3-day residential bootcamp designed to build technical, operational, and strategic capabilities. High-potential startups may also be invited to join the EarthON Gurukul, a structured incubation program offering mentorship, growth assistance, and potential follow-on equity or debt investment through the EarthON Fund. This creates a pathway for continuous capital support for ventures demonstrating significant traction.

The program offers invaluable exposure to policymakers, investors, and industry leaders within the clean energy, rural development, and climate sectors. This visibility, combined with the credibility and institutional connections provided by Startup India and DPIIT, offers a distinct advantage for startups navigating government partnerships and procurement opportunities. It specifically addresses the productive use segment of India's DRE sector, making it highly relevant for founders focused on smallholder farmers, fishing communities, and rural women entrepreneurs.

• Non-dilutive grant of up to ₹20 lakh for DRE solutions.
• Focus on improving rural livelihoods through clean energy.
• Open to startups at prototype, early users, or paying users stages.
• Supported by Startup India and DPIIT.
• Includes a 3-day residential bootcamp and potential incubation.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

This program is open to startups that are incorporated in India and are actively developing decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions aimed at improving livelihoods. Applicants must be at the prototype, early users, or paying users stage (meaning they have a Minimum Viable Product or are generating early revenue).

Eligible sectors include aquaculture, horticulture, fisheries, cold chain, solar-powered agriculture, solar irrigation, smart water management, rural livelihoods, solar mobility, and other related clean energy applications. The challenge welcomes startups irrespective of their prior funding status, whether they are currently raising capital or not, and with or without existing revenue. There is no application fee to participate, but applicants must be formally incorporated as a legal entity.

Greenovation DRE for Livelihoods Challenge – EarthON & Startup India accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

Selected startups receive a substantial non-dilutive catalytic grant of up to ₹20 lakh to aid in the implementation and scaling of their decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions. This funding does not require any equity in return.

In addition to the grant, all participants gain access to structured capacity-building sessions and an immersive 3-day residential bootcamp. High-potential participants also have the opportunity to join EarthON Gurukul, an incubation program that provides comprehensive mentorship, growth support, and potential access to further equity or debt investment through the EarthON Fund.

Greenovation DRE for Livelihoods Challenge – EarthON & Startup India is offered by EarthON Foundation, a non-profit foundation. It is delivered directly by EarthON Foundation as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to Greenovation DRE for Livelihoods Challenge – EarthON & Startup India, 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.

Greenovation DRE for Livelihoods Challenge – EarthON & Startup India is best suited for product and revenue-stage climate energy ev, agri food rural and edtech social impact startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹20L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.