FundingSupport amount varies
Equity-free MVP / Prototype Fintech DPIIT
ClosesJun 18, 2026
Closed Grant Equity-free
Circular Bharat Accelerator
Circular economy accelerator with pilot grants for TRL 5+ startups.
Check your readinessShare a few details and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit, documents and timelines for this scheme. Free, no obligation.
About this scheme
The Circular Bharat Accelerator is a multi-stakeholder initiative led by Hindustan Unilever Limited and NITI Aayog, implemented in partnership with NSRCEL and Xynteo. Positioned under Project Circular Bharat, HUL's national plastics circularity programme, the accelerator is designed to strengthen India's transition toward a circular economy by enabling market-ready, technology-driven startups to scale deployable solutions.
The program brings together industry, government, and ecosystem partners on a unified platform to accelerate circular innovations through structured go-to-market refinement, pilot access, regulatory alignment, and commercialization pathways. Over a three-year horizon, the accelerator aims to nurture 50 high-potential circularity startups, enabling them to transition from early validation to scalable enterprise adoption.
Rather than functioning as a generic incubation program, the Circular Bharat Accelerator is explicitly GTM-focused. It emphasizes structured pilot-readiness, helping startups align solutions with real-world industry and government needs. Selected startups receive one-on-one mentoring tailored to their business model and stage, structured exposure through roundtables with corporates and policymakers, and access to curated pilot and micro-pilot opportunities to validate their solutions in Indian market conditions.
The program provides milestone-based grant support to select pilot-ready startups. It is free of cost and does not take equity. In addition to grant support, startups gain access to venture capital connects and a long-term alumni ecosystem, ensuring continued engagement beyond the program cycle.
The accelerator specifically targets circular economy solutions across plastics, advanced recycling, reuse systems, textiles, e-waste, and circular supply chains. By integrating policy insight, industry demand, and entrepreneurial execution, the Circular Bharat Accelerator seeks to systematically de-risk innovation and accelerate the commercialization of circular solutions that contribute to resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable manufacturing in India.
Who can apply
- Must be a tech-enabled circular economy or resource-efficiency focused venture.
- Must be incorporated in India.
- Must be operational for at least one year.
- Must have a market-ready product.
- Must be early-revenue and pilot-ready.
- Must be TRL 5 or higher.
- Should operate in sectors such as plastic circularity, advanced recycling, reuse/refill systems, circular supply chains, e-waste, textiles, or related sustainability domains.
- Early-stage startups with a team of 50 or fewer
- Operational age generally less than 10 years
Benefits & funding
Headline support
Support amount varies
- Pilot grants, milestone-based grant support, and no equity taken.
- Benefits include one-on-one mentoring, go-to-market refinement, regulatory alignment, commercialization pathways, and access to pilot opportunities.
- Startups also get exposure to corporates and policymakers, VC connections, and a long-term alumni ecosystem.
Official application
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Applications are submitted directly with NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, in your own name. Share a few details and we will point you to the official application portal and help you prepare a complete submission.
Here is the official application link
Apply in your own name with NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore. Want a second pair of eyes before you submit? An IncorpX advisor can help you prepare.
Open the official applicationFrequently asked questions
How much funding does Circular Bharat Accelerator provide?
Circular Bharat Accelerator provides support amount varies. The exact amount sanctioned depends on the proposal and the evaluation by the program authority.
Is Circular Bharat Accelerator currently accepting applications?
Applications currently closed. Always confirm the current window with the program authority before preparing your application.
Does Circular Bharat Accelerator take equity?
No. This program is listed as equity-free, which means the funding does not dilute your shareholding. Review the official terms for any debt or convertible components.
Important disclaimer
IncorpX is a private platform operated by a private company. It is not a government department, agency or official portal, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government body or of any organisation, incubator, accelerator, investor or partner listed in this directory. All program names, logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification only.
This directory is compiled from publicly available official sources and is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Funding amounts, eligibility criteria, required documents, deadlines and availability are determined by each program authority and change with every cycle, so the details shown here may be incomplete or out of date. Always confirm the current terms on the official program source before you apply or take any decision.
IncorpX charges no fee for the information in this directory and does not collect, process, lodge or submit any application on your behalf. Applications are made by you, in your own name, directly with the respective program authority. IncorpX provides assistance only for application preparation and for related registrations such as company incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME (Udyam) and GST. Eligibility, approval, disbursement and selection rest solely with the respective program authority, and IncorpX makes no representation or guarantee as to any outcome.
Closing soon
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FundingRs. 25 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh
MVP / Prototype
ClosesJun 20, 2026
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