DPIIT, Stride Ventures name Plastics for Change Challenge winner

23 Apr 2025 CW Team

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in collaboration with Startup India and Stride Ventures, has announced Buoyancy Plastics for Change Recycling Private Limited as the winner of the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge 2025. The initiative aims to identify and empower impactful, homegrown startups.

Selected from over 120 applications submitted within 30 days, Plastics for Change emerged as the winner among startups from 22 states, representing sectors such as sustainability, fintech, and e-mobility. Founded in 2015, the startup is committed to building a Fair Trade-certified, recycled plastics supply chain. It focuses on ethically sourcing and aggregating plastic waste to supply high-quality rPET, rHDPE and rPP materials to recycling units.

By working directly with informal waste collectors and integrating them into the formal economy, the startup currently operates with a collection capacity exceeding 20,000 tonnes. It now aims to expand its reach within India’s plastics recycling ecosystem.

Stride Ventures, India’s largest venture debt fund, has committed over $1 billion to 170+ new-age startups over the past five years and recently expanded to Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and London. Earlier this year, Stride signed an MoU with DPIIT to support Indian startups through funding, mentorship, market access, and global scaling opportunities.

As part of the award, Stride Ventures has announced an investment of up to Rs 10 crore—subject to due diligence—along with ecosystem support, expert mentorship, and access to its global network to help Plastics for Change further scale its sustainable and circular operations in India.

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