FundingRs. 10 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh
Equity-free Idea Logistics & Mobility
ClosesJun 15, 2026
Rolling Grant Equity-free
Greenovation DRE for Livelihoods Challenge , EarthON & Startup India
Up to Rs. 20L non-dilutive grant for 10 Indian startups building decentralized renewable energy solutions for rural livelihoods.
Check your readinessShare a few details and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit, documents and timelines for this scheme. Free, no obligation.
- Startups at product or revenue stage using renewable energy or cleantech to improve rural livelihoods.
About this scheme
The Greenovation Renewable Energy for Livelihood Challenge is a structured grant programme supported by Startup India and DPIIT, designed to identify, fund, and scale clean energy innovations that improve livelihoods in India's rural and peri-urban communities. Run by Greenovation Hub and EarthON Foundation, the challenge funds 10 companies per year with up to Rs. 20 lakh each in non-dilutive catalytic funding , no equity taken.
The programme targets decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions across six broad problem areas: cold chain and food preservation, solar-powered irrigation and water access, productive use and rural livelihoods, operations and service ecosystems, women-led DRE enterprises, and data and finance platforms. Specific use cases include solar cold rooms, solar-powered fish and food preservation, community water purification, DRE-powered livelihood equipment, pay-per-use energy services, predictive maintenance tools, and digital platforms for performance monitoring and payments.
Beyond the grant, selected startups participate in a 3-day residential bootcamp covering technical, operational, and strategic skills. High-potential participants may be invited into the EarthON Gurukul, a structured incubation programme that offers mentorship, growth support, and potential equity or debt investment through the EarthON Fund , creating a capital continuum from grant to follow-on investment for startups that demonstrate traction.
The programme gives participants direct visibility with policymakers, investors, and industry leaders across the clean energy, rural livelihoods, and climate ecosystem , a meaningful advantage for founders working in a space where policy context and investor familiarity with the sector are both critical to scale. With Startup India and DPIIT backing, the programme also provides credibility and institutional linkage for startups navigating government procurement and partnership opportunities.
India's DRE sector is at a significant inflection point , programmes like this one are among the few that fund the productive use segment specifically, rather than just generation, making it a relevant opportunity for founders building for smallholder farmers, fisher communities, and rural women entrepreneurs.
Who can apply
- Startups incorporated in India working on decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions for livelihoods
- Must be at prototype, early users, or paying users stage (MVP or early revenue)
- Relevant sectors: aquaculture, horticulture, fisheries, cold chain, solar-powered agriculture, solar irrigation, smart water management, rural livelihoods, solar mobility, and allied clean energy applications
- Open to startups with or without prior funding, currently raising or not, with or without revenue
- Free to apply , no application fee
- Must be incorporated (formal legal entity required)
Benefits & funding
Headline support
Up to Rs. 20 lakh
- Selected startups receive up to Rs.
- 20 lakh in non-dilutive catalytic funding to implement and scale their DRE solutions.
- Beyond the grant, all participants access structured capacity-building sessions and an immersive 3-day residential bootcamp.
- High-potential participants may join EarthON Gurukul, which offers mentorship, growth support, and potential equity or debt investment through the EarthON Fund.
How the application process works
The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with EarthON Foundation, in your own name.
- 1
Applications submitted via the F6S platform are reviewed by the Greenovation/EarthON selection team for solution relevance, innovation quality, and scalability.
- 2
Shortlisted startups may be invited for further evaluation or a pitch.
- 3
Up to 10 companies are selected per annual cohort, with high-potential participants nominated for the EarthON Gurukul incubation pathway.
Want a second pair of eyes before you submit?IncorpX provides assistance for structuring proposals and organising the paperwork this process expects.
Official application
Ready to apply? Get the official link
Applications are submitted directly with EarthON Foundation, 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 EarthON Foundation. 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 do selected startups receive?
Up to Rs. 20 lakh in non-dilutive catalytic funding per company. No equity is taken for the grant. Up to 10 companies are funded per annual cohort.
What sectors and solutions are eligible?
DRE solutions for rural livelihoods , including solar cold rooms, solar-powered fish and food preservation, irrigation and water access, DRE livelihood equipment, pay-per-use energy services, predictive maintenance tools, and digital platforms for DRE monitoring and payments.
Do I need to have revenue or prior funding to apply?
No. The programme is open to startups with or without prior funding, currently raising or not, and with or without revenue. You must be at the prototype, early users, or paying users stage.
What is EarthON Gurukul?
EarthON Gurukul is a structured incubation programme for high-potential participants from the challenge. It offers mentorship, growth support, and potential equity or debt investment through the EarthON Fund , a follow-on pathway beyond the initial grant.
Is there an application fee?
No. The programme is free to apply and participate in.
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
View all FundingUp to Rs. 1 Cr
MVP / Prototype Biotech, Health & Pharma
ClosesJun 15, 2026
FundingSupport amount varies
MVP / Prototype
ClosesJun 15, 2026
Nebin Binoy 
