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.

Infrastructure Transport

08 Oct 2025

Patna Joins India’s Metro Map With Blue Line Launch

Patna, the capital of Bihar, officially joined India’s growing list of metro cities as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the first phase of the Patna Metro Rail on Monday. The inaugural section of the Blue Line runs from the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) to Bhoothnath, covering three key stations — Patliputra ISBT, Zero Mile, and Bhoothnath.The inaugural ceremony was held at the Patliputra Bus Depot, attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. Passenger services are set to commence from Tuesday.For now, commuters will be able to travel along a 4.3-kil..

Kochi Water Metro To Launch Mattancherry Route By Mid-October

The Kochi Water Metro is set to commence ferry operations between the city and Mattancherry by mid-October, offering much-needed relief to commuters long troubled by traffic bottlenecks along narrow city roads and bridges.The new route, extending from the High Court terminal, follows Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML)’s preparation to commission the long-awaited ferry terminals at Mattancherry and Willingdon Island, both key nodes in the city’s water transport network.According to KWML Chief Operating Officer Sajan John, the Mattancherry terminal will feature floating pontoons capable of ber..

Euro Panel Launches SolidAl, A Fire-Safe Aluminium Facade

Euro Panel Products Ltd, the parent company of EUROBOND—one of India’s leading metal composite panel brands—has launched SolidAl, a fully solid, PVDF/FEVE-coated, non-combustible aluminium panel that expands its portfolio of premium façade solutions. The new product aligns with modern industry needs for safety, durability, and sustainability, marking a significant step forward in contemporary architectural materials.Manufactured from high-grade aluminium alloys (3003/5005/5052), SolidAl is available in 2 mm, 2.3 mm, and 3 mm thicknesses, offering exceptional strength, longevity, and ver..