Deadline Date: July 22, 2026
The Indian Innovation Icons by MIF is a platform that brings hidden, high-potential innovators into the spotlight by recognising innovation excellence in India and providing opportunities for visibility, mentorship, and strategic growth.
The programme focuses on recognising innovations across three categories: Business, Social, and Global Gamechanger. The Business category highlights India-based for-profit startups, the Social category supports India-based not-for-profit organisations including government entities, philanthropic bodies, charitable trusts, social enterprises, multilateral agencies, community foundations, NGOs, and CSR/corporate funds, while the Global Gamechanger category recognises peerless Indian organisations creating major shifts in their industries globally.
Launched in 2006, Indian Innovation Icons, previously known as Innovation for India Awards, is a biennial platform designed to identify and support innovators creating meaningful impact. The awards provide recognition from leading industry figures and create opportunities for winners to build valuable connections, strengthen storytelling capabilities, and accelerate their impact through strategic mentorship.
Winning the Indian Innovation Icons award offers a range of benefits beyond recognition. Winners receive a one-hour strategic diagnosis session with Mr. Harsh Mariwala, Chairperson of Marico Limited, followed by six months of customised mentoring from Marico’s senior leadership across areas such as marketing, finance, supply chain, operations, and strategy.
Winners also gain access to capital and business networks through introductions to venture capitalists, institutional investors, grant makers, and corporate leaders. They receive an opportunity to present their innovation story at the Grand Finale stage before leading industrialists, investors, philanthropists, and organisational leaders.
The programme further supports winners through InnoWin Day, a platform for curated meetings with selected institutions to accelerate growth. Winners also receive a personal public endorsement from Mr. Harsh Mariwala, national visibility through media platforms, and storytelling and executive presence coaching to enhance communication skills for future opportunities.
For more information, visit Marico Innovation Foundation.
