Applications Invited for the Namma Bengaluru challenge 2026

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About the Organization

At Social Alpha, we believe that science and technology innovations and entrepreneurship has the potential to bring about a positive change in the life of masses. We search for entrepreneurs and innovators who are on a ‘mission to create social, economic and environmental impact’ and support them through their ‘lab to market’ journey, as they create compelling solutions to fight poverty and address India’s intractable developmental challenges.

About the Challenge

Bengaluru is the fifth most populous urban agglomeration and one of the fastest-growing metropolises in India. The capital, and one of the oldest cities in Karnataka, Bengaluru, accommodates about 39% of the total urban population of the state.

Once celebrated for its green spaces and pleasant climate, the city is now grappling with the complex realities of rapid urbanisation, including rising population density, infrastructure stress, and environmental degradation. As the technology and innovation capital of India, Bengaluru faces the unique challenge and opportunity of reimagining its urban future to balance growth with sustainability, resilience, and equitable access to services.

Bengaluru’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan (BCAP), launched in 2023, gives the city the opportunity to intensify and coordinate efforts towards planning and managing rapid urban growth in a manner that is climate-aware and aligned to the global climate agenda and India’s Nationally Determined Contributions. Achieving these city-level goals requires strong collaboration between stakeholders across the city government, industry, civil society and innovators in the city.

Hence, The Namma Bengaluru Challenge ‘26, by UnboxingBLR, in partnership with Social Alpha and WTFund supported by GBA, Bengaluru Climate Action Cell and WRI India, aims to identify and support high-potential innovators and entrepreneurs in combating climate change by building resilience and mitigating emissions within Bengaluru.

Focus Areas

• Construction
• Water & Sanitation
• Air Pollution
• Waste Management

Program Offerings

Pilot Deployments: Selected start-ups will receive up to INR 25 lakhs as pilot grants to deploy their product with implementation partners within the government, private sector, or civil society organisations in Bengaluru over a period of up to 6 months, based on a mapping exercise anchored by Social Alpha.

Market Access & Validation: Through the initiative, a start-up will have the opportunity to deploy its solution within Bengaluru’s urban systems, gaining validation and building a pathway for wider adoption across similar urban geographies.

Showcase Opportunities: Through the program, the start-up will have the opportunity to pitch to various stakeholders, including Bengaluru’s government agencies, industries, and civil society organisations.

Funding: Access to seed capital up to INR ~1 crore, subject to thesis alignment and due diligence by Social Alpha.

Who Should Apply         

Innovators and entrepreneurs with deployment-ready solutions that have demonstrated technical performance and measurable social impact and can be deployed in the city of Bengaluru.

Eligibility

• Participating or proposed ventures should be independent entities, meaning that they should not be a subsidiary of an existing corporation or have legal ties to a government body.
• The applicant’s company must be registered in India (as a private limited company, with a DPIIT Registration). The shareholding by Indian promoters in the company should be at least 51%.
• The applicant’s company must not be a part of any joint venture with external entities that may result in the loss of its DPIIT Registration and status as a start-up.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: 4th November, 2025

Apply now

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Innovations and Technology Smart City and Urban Issues Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)