Govt To Incubate Startups Targeting Indian Green Market

Govt To Incubate Startups Aiming Indian Green Market

The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), in collaboration with the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and the Atal Incubation Centre at IIT Delhi’s Sonipat Innovation Foundation, has launched a call for proposals to incubate renewable energy (RE) start-ups, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said.

The initiative aims to accelerate domestic innovation in the clean energy sector, in line with India’s goals of self-reliance and becoming a developed economy. The programme targets early-stage start-ups working on technologies with the potential to move from laboratory-scale prototypes to commercially viable products.

Start-ups selected under the programme will receive technical support, mentorship, infrastructure access, and assistance in market linkages, product testing, and pilot demonstrations.

Focus Areas for Start-up Innovation

The call for proposals focuses on technologies in the following areas:

• Solar energy systems;

• Green hydrogen production and storage;

• Battery and energy storage technologies, including BMS and advanced chemistries;

• Smart energy management using AI/ML;

• Electric vehicle (EV) integration and charging;

• Wind and small hydro power technologies;

• Decentralized renewable applications such as solar water pumps and cold storage;

• Circular economy and recycling in RE;

• Alternative fuels including biofuels and synthetic fuels;

• Emerging technologies like AgriPV, floating PV, BIPV, geothermal, and tidal energy.

Programme Details

The support framework includes access to NISE’s laboratories for PV, solar thermal, storage, and hydrogen; co-working and incubation space at AIC IIT Delhi; mentorship from NISE scientists, industry professionals and academia; support for product certification; business development opportunities; and potential access to funding and grants.

Start-ups must be recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), with at least 51% Indian ownership. Eligible projects should be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3–4, with the potential to reach TRL 6–8 during incubation.

Only one proposal per start-up or principal investigator will be accepted. The selection process includes screening, expert evaluation, and final selection by a programme advisory committee.

Deadline and Contact Information

Applications must be submitted by August 26, 2025, 11:59 p.m. IST via email to incubation@nise.res.in. The initial incubation period is two years, extendable by one year based on performance. A formal agreement will define the terms, including IP rights and revenue sharing.