Avaana Capital Launches 3rd Grand Challenge to Boost Deep Tech Innovation in India

01 Apr 2026 CW Team

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.

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.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..