In a major step toward strengthening India’s clean energy ecosystem, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). The agreement aims to promote innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship in the country’s clean energy and manufacturing sectors.
The partnership, set to run for two years with the possibility of extension, is focused on supporting early-stage climate-tech startups. Under this collaboration, startups will gain access to funding opportunities, expert mentorship, pilot project support, and vital market linkages — all contributing to India’s broader net-zero goals.
A cornerstone of the initiative will be the launch of the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE) by GEAPP. This competitive platform will offer up to $500,000 in awards for innovative and high-impact climate solutions. In addition to prize money, selected ventures will benefit from investment support through partners such as Spectrum Impact and Avana Capital.
To maximize the initiative’s reach, DPIIT will integrate the program within the Startup India ecosystem and align it with key government schemes. The collaboration is expected to create a strong pipeline of scalable, investment-ready ventures capable of transforming the climate-tech space.
Speaking at the launch, Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship in advancing India’s climate goals. “Our leadership in climate action hinges on fostering a dynamic ecosystem for innovation. This partnership will pave the way for clean energy startups to scale solutions that are crucial for our net-zero transition,” he said.
Saurabh Kumar, Vice President – India at GEAPP, described the collaboration as a strategic milestone. “By combining GEAPP’s international expertise with DPIIT’s institutional strength and the reach of the Startup India network, we are setting the stage for transformative energy solutions in India,” he noted.
This initiative underscores the Indian government’s commitment to climate innovation and sets the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
