E.ON Future Makers Challenge

• Indian startups solving energy infrastructure challenges
• University students developing innovative technologies
• AI and robotics innovators
• Cybersecurity startups
• Smart grid and smart metering solution providers
• Deep-tech founders targeting international markets

About this scheme

The E.ON Future Makers Challenge is a pan-India innovation programme launched by E.ON, in collaboration with Infosys and IIT Madras, to discover and accelerate innovative solutions for Europe's evolving energy infrastructure challenges.

The programme invites Indian startups and students to develop practical, scalable technologies in grid resilience, IT security, robotics, artificial intelligence, workforce safety, and next-generation smart metering. Selected innovators receive technical validation, mentorship, research support, and opportunities to deploy their solutions in European and global markets.

The programme runs for 15 months across three structured phases:

Phase 1: Idea selection through application screening, expert evaluation, and a final jury event.
Phase 2: Prototype validation with mentorship, IIT Madras laboratory access, and Infosys technical support.
Phase 3: Commercial deployment through E.ON's energy ecosystem and enterprise market access.

Winning ventures collectively receive grant funding of up to €80,000, along with enterprise pilot opportunities, IIT Madras Energy Consortium Ventures membership, and commercialization support.

Who can apply

• Students must be enrolled in an accredited Indian college or university (UG, PG, or PhD).
• Startups must be legally incorporated in India.
• Startup applicants must have a valid DPIIT Registration or Certificate of Incorporation.
• Solutions should address one or more official challenge themes.
• Applicants may submit solutions to multiple clusters within the same challenge theme.

Benefits & funding

• Grant funding of up to €80,000 across four selected ventures.
• Prototype validation support.
• Mentorship from Infosys and IIT Madras.
• Access to IIT Madras research laboratories and infrastructure.
• Enterprise pilot opportunities through Infosys.
• Membership in IIT Madras Energy Consortium Ventures.
• Commercial deployment opportunities with E.ON.
• Exposure to European and global energy markets.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with E.ON Germany, in your own name.

1. 1

   Create your Startup India application.

2. 2

   Select the relevant challenge theme and cluster.

3. 3

   Submit your innovation proposal.

4. 4

   Participate in screening and expert evaluation.

5. 5

   Attend the final jury event if shortlisted.

6. 6

   Selected teams enter the validation and deployment phases.

Documents checklist 7

• Startup or student details
• DPIIT Recognition Certificate (for startups)
• Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Innovation proposal
• Product or technology description
• Team information
• Supporting documents requested during evaluation

Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.

Frequently asked questions