Avaana Capital, in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Startup India initiative, has announced the third edition of the Avaana–Startup India Grand Challenge for Deep Tech Innovation 2025–26.

The programme aims to identify and support early-stage deep tech entrepreneurs developing frontier innovations aligned with India’s strategic and economic priorities. Over the years, the platform has brought together startups, policymakers, investors, corporates, academic institutions, and ecosystem enablers to accelerate technology-led growth in the country.

Co-created with DPIIT and NITI Aayog Atal Innovation Mission, the initiative has received continued support from government bodies including the Department of Science and Technology, MeitY Startup Hub, BIRAC, IN-SPACe, and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It has also been backed by corporates such as IDFC FIRST Bank, Nestle, Hero MotoCorp, Tata Chemicals, TDK Ventures, Lodha Group, NetApp Excellerator, Google for Developers, and Amazon Web Services, along with research institutions and incubators including NSRCEL (IIM Bangalore), IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IKP Eden, T-Hub, C-CAMP, iCreate, and others.

Across its first two editions, the Grand Challenge received over 1,000 applications from 22 states and enabled more than Rs 20.5 million in non-dilutive grants, along with strategic partnerships and pilot opportunities. Winning startups also gained access to mentorship, co-development programmes, and follow-on funding pathways.

“Platforms such as the Grand Challenge play a critical role in nurturing the next generation of globally competitive deep-tech startups emerging from India,” said Dr Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director, DPIIT.

Anjali Bansal, Founding Partner, Avaana Capital, said the programme has evolved into one of India’s largest deep tech initiatives, strengthened by support from policy stakeholders, corporates, and research institutions.

The 2025–26 edition will focus on six priority areas—energy and mobility, advanced manufacturing and supply chains, space technology, artificial intelligence and automation, biotech, and next-generation materials. It also introduces a new “Emerging Pioneers” track for researchers whose ideas are still at the research stage.