The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), a body of the Indian government, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) to foster innovation in the clean energy sector. The agreement, initially set for two years, aims to support climate-tech startups through a range of targeted measures.
A programme to shape the climate-tech ecosystem
The memorandum outlines comprehensive support including facilitated access to funding, mentorship programmes, pilot project opportunities and market linkages. The partnership seeks to build a pipeline of scalable, investment-ready companies aligned with India’s climate commitments.
GEAPP will launch the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE), a competitive platform designed to reward high-impact projects. The initiative will offer up to $500,000 in financial incentives to selected startups, with the aim of surfacing energy solutions suitable for large-scale deployment.
Public network and financial partners in support
The investment framework will be backed by partners such as Spectrum Impact and Avana Capital, two organisations active in the financing of socially driven and sustainable initiatives. These partners will assist selected startups with tailored management tools and sector expertise.
DPIIT plans to integrate the entire programme into the existing Startup India network, increasing project visibility within the national entrepreneurial ecosystem. Communication outreach will be coordinated through major government initiatives already in operation.
Strategic backing for energy commitments
Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, stated that the collaboration would offer tangible opportunities for startups to “deploy technologies that support India’s long-term carbon neutrality objectives.” No specific timeline was disclosed for the rollout of the ENTICE challenge or selection of beneficiaries.
GEAPP operates across several countries to accelerate energy transitions through partnerships with governments and investors. In India, the focus on startups reflects an industrial structuring objective aligned with national energy policy.
