Deadline: September 30, 2025
Avinya’26 is an energy startup competition designed to promote Indian startups in the energy sector, anchored in the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat with a focus on innovation, socio-economic impact, sustainability, and diversity.
The focus areas of Avinya’26 include: Across Hydrocarbons Value Chain – Oil & Gas (Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream) and Coal, Alternative fuels – Biofuels, Green Hydrogen, Ammonia, etc., Low carbon technology – CCUS, E-Mobility, Battery Technology, etc., Renewable energy – Solar, Hydro, Wind, Geothermal, etc., and Functional areas in the energy sector: financing, operations, AI, ML, digital, tech, etc. The problem statement is centered on advancing innovative solutions along the energy value chain.
Avinya’26 builds on the overwhelming success of its previous editions, inviting entrepreneurs, research enthusiasts, students, and academicians to bring groundbreaking ideas that will define the future of energy. By focusing exclusively on the energy ecosystem, this platform seeks to identify startups across ideation and growth stages that are working on clean, cost-efficient, and impactful energy technologies.
The eligibility requirements ensure that only startups with less than 10 years since incorporation and turnover under 100 CR can apply. They must be Indian-owned entities operating anywhere in the energy value chain—from hydrocarbons and coal to renewable energy, low-carbon technologies, and digital solutions. Startups formed through the restructuring of older businesses will not be considered.
The competition will follow a two-round process. In Round 1, all applications will be evaluated by a jury on set parameters, and the top 10 will be shortlisted by 17th October 2025. These finalists will proceed to Round 2, where they will present their business models to the jury. The final top 3 winners will be announced in December 2025, and all honors will be conferred during India Energy Week 2026 with global leaders in attendance.
To encourage participation, Avinya’26 offers fiscal incentives, with the top three winners receiving cash prizes of INR 3 lakhs, INR 2 lakhs, and INR 1 lakh respectively. Alongside monetary rewards, non-fiscal incentives include recognition at the India Energy Week, networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders, potential pilot project collaborations, and incubation support. Additionally, the top 10 shortlists will be showcased on the official IEW 2026 website, while the top 5% of applicants will gain access to mentorship and recognition certificates. Special honors have also been reserved, including a Young Innovators category.
With a robust framework of incentives, recognition, and industry integration, Avinya’26 represents a crucial step in developing India’s startup-driven energy ecosystem toward sustainability and innovation.
For more information, visit FIPI.
