Call for Proposals: Start-up Incubation in Renewable Energy Sector (India)

The initiative is aimed at fostering the development and commercialization of indigenous renewable energy solutions and technologies that contribute to India’s clean energy transition.

The program is uniquely designed to provide value-added support in collaboration with industry associations, technical bodies, and government stakeholders. Selected start-ups will receive assistance in pilot demonstration, product testing, validation, and establishing industry linkages, helping them move from lab-scale innovation to market-ready solutions.

The initiative aligns with national priorities in the field of renewable energy and India’s commitment to building a clean, green, and sustainable energy future. It supports the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) in the energy sector and contributes to the realization of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) through the widespread adoption of indigenous, low-carbon, and environmentally responsible energy solutions. The program focuses on supporting start-ups engaged in the development of solar energy systems, green hydrogen technologies, battery storage, smart energy management, AI/ML in RE, EV integration, small hydro, wind and decentralized renewable applications, among others.

Aims

• The program aims to accelerate the transition of renewable energy innovations from earlystage prototypes (TRL 3-4) to market-ready solutions (TRL 6-8) by enabling real-world deployment, pilot demonstrations, and commercialization support. The initiative focuses on addressing critical gaps in the clean energy innovation ecosystem, including R&D, product development, testing, validation, standardization, and market access. Proposals are invited from start-ups that have demonstrated indigenous capability in developing technologies, components, or sub-systems in areas such as solar energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, DRE applications, small hydro, wind, smart grids, and clean mobility solutions. Selected start-ups will be supported in scaling their innovations, establishing supply chains, and reducing dependence on imported technologies. The goal is to foster local manufacturing, reduce costs, and enable the deployment of highimpact renewable energy technologies that align with India’s goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. The final outcomes should demonstrate industry-grade prototypes suitable for commercial adoption and integration across the energy value chain.

Objectives

• The objective of this call for proposals is to identify and support innovative RE start-ups by providing access to technical, financial, and strategic resources to accelerate the development, validation, and commercialization of clean energy solutions.

Focus Areas

• The identified thrust areas for this call for proposals focus on advancing innovation in key segments of the RE sector. These include solar energy technologies, green hydrogen, energy storage systems, decentralized renewable applications, smart energy management, and circular economy solutions. Start-ups working on emerging technologies aligned with clean energy goals are encouraged to apply.
  • The list is indicative and may be expanded to include other relevant areas.
    • Application of AI & Machine Learning in Renewable Energy
    • Intelligent and Smart Manufacturing in the Energy Sector
    • Advanced Energy Storage Solutions and BMS
    • Green Hydrogen
    • New and Innovative Technologies
    • Promoting Circular Economy in RE Technologies
    • Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) Applications
    • Utilization of Alternative Fuels for Sustainable Energy

Facilities and Support Offered

• The following facilities and support are envisaged under this Call for Proposals, to be provided by NISE, NSEFI, AIC IIT Delhi and other stakeholders.
  • Access to State-of-the-Art Infrastructure:
  • Technical Mentorship
  • Industry Mentorship
  • Co-working and Incubation Space
  • Product Standardisation & Certification
  • Business and Market Linkages
  • Opportunities for Seed Funding and Grant
  • Pilot and Demonstration Opportunities
  • Capacity Building and Networking Events
  • Collaborative Ecosystem and Institutional Support

What is not supported?

• Basic research Projects below TRL 3
• Exploratory research/project studies
• Project having low element of novelty
• Project with the same objectives which has already been supported by other Govt Ministries

Eligibility Criteria

• Start-ups applying for support under the NISE RE Start-up Incubation Program must meet the following eligibility conditions:
  • The applicant must be a start-up recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) at the time of application. If not registered, funding will only be disbursed after successful DPIIT recognition.
  • The start-up must be an Indian entity as per the Companies Act, 2013, with at least 51% shareholding held by Indian promoters at the time of application. The Intellectual Property (IP) developed under the project should reside in India
  • The proposed solution should be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3–4 (i.e., proof of concept or lab-validated prototype), with clear potential to scale to TRL 6–8 (market-ready stage) during the incubation period.
  • The start-up should require to submit the declaration stating the prior funding sought from any other central government scheme in the last five years for the same project.
  • The start-up must be using technology as a core part of its product or service offering aimed at solving a real-world challenge in the RE sector.
  • Each start-up or Project Leader (PI) may submit only one proposal under this call. Multiple submissions will result in disqualification.
  • Project Leader (PI) Requirements:
    • A qualified Project Leader must be identified, who will be responsible for the technical and managerial execution of the project.
    • The PI must have completed at least an undergraduate degree in any relevant discipline.
    • The PI should be a shareholder or founder in the start-up.
    • The PI must personally present the proposal if shortlisted and will be responsible for signing the project agreement upon selection.

For more information, visit NISE.