New Delhi, June 24: Six startups led by youth across the country have emerged as winners of the 8th Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026. The government announced on Wednesday that these startups will receive seed funding along with capacity-building support.
According to an official statement, these startups were selected for developing innovative solutions that promote sustainable development through circular economy, sustainable textiles and fashion, sustainable food systems, and water conservation.
The challenge, co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India and the City Foundation, was implemented with the support of the Atal Innovation Mission, while T-Hub Foundation executed the initiative.
Over 350 applications were received from 28 states for this competition, with 50 promising startups participating in a three-month National Springboard Program.
The statement from the NITI Aayog mentioned that three winning startups received seed grants of ₹350,000, along with opportunities for capacity development and ecosystem networking. Meanwhile, three runner-up startups were awarded ₹220,000 each.
The three-month National Springboard Program was a virtual capacity development journey that involved collaboration with 16 industry experts and specialists from various fields.
All 50 startups presented their ideas and models before a distinguished jury during the National Innovation Dialogue. The top 20 startups were selected for a Regional Immersion Bootcamp held at T-Hub in Hyderabad.
During this five-day special program, startups had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, sustainability experts, investors, government representatives, and entrepreneurs.
The program emphasized strengthening the business models of startups and enhancing their impact through masterclasses, mentorship sessions, industrial visits, and collaborative learning activities.
Meraj Faheem, CEO of the Telangana Innovation Cell (T-GIC), stated that initiatives like Youth Co:Lab empower innovation, collaboration, and youth leadership, helping to address significant societal challenges.
Pratik Deshmukh, Program Director of NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission, noted that while there is no shortage of startups in India, the real challenge lies in the equitable distribution of opportunities and resources.
He remarked, “The distribution of capital in India is still limited to cities like Bengaluru and Delhi. Mentorship is not adequately reaching tier-3 cities and northeastern states. Opportunities for entrepreneurs from women, persons with disabilities, and socially marginalized groups remain limited.”
He added that initiatives like Youth Co:Lab play a crucial role in bridging this gap.
Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative of UNDP India, highlighted that over 40 percent of the selected startups are led by women entrepreneurs.
She emphasized that this reflects the diverse talent present in India’s innovation ecosystem and the growing participation of women.
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