Can India Lead the Climate-Tech Revolution? DPIIT and GEAPP Join Forces

What does it really take to build a sustainable future for over a billion people? The answer, as it turns out, lies not just in policy frameworks or global climate agreements—but in the innovation labs, garages, and co-working spaces where India's next generation of climate-tech startups are quietly building the future.

In a move that could redefine India’s clean energy journey, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has announced a game-changing partnership with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). At its core, this collaboration is more than just a bureaucratic handshake—it's a clarion call to India's startup ecosystem: climate-tech is not just the future, it's our future.

A Timely Push Towards Net-Zero Goals

India has set an ambitious goal—achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. While critics may argue that the timeline is too far out, there is no denying the pace of progress in the Indian innovation ecosystem. From electric mobility to solar rooftops, and from biofuels to waste-to-energy solutions, the momentum is unmistakable. What’s been missing? A cohesive, well-funded push to nurture these innovations from idea to impact.

Enter DPIIT and GEAPP.

This two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is designed to catalyze early-stage climate-tech startups by giving them what every innovator needs—access to funding, strategic mentorship, pilot opportunities, and critical market linkages. It’s a comprehensive blueprint aimed at ensuring that promising ideas don’t just remain on pitch decks, but transform into deployable solutions that move the needle on climate action.

The ENTICE Challenge: Fueling Innovation with Purpose

Among the many promising initiatives under this partnership is one that has already generated quite the buzz—the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE) by GEAPP. Set to become a flagship platform, ENTICE will reward high-impact, scalable climate-tech innovations with up to $500,000 in total rewards.

And this isn't just prize money—it’s a launchpad. Winners will gain investment support through respected partners like Spectrum Impact and Avana Capital, known for their strong portfolios in impact-driven investments.

Think of ENTICE as a national stage where tomorrow’s green tech unicorns will be born.

Startup India to Power Outreach

DPIIT is anchoring this initiative through its widely celebrated Startup India program. With thousands of startups already registered and supported under this banner, the integration of climate-tech-focused initiatives is a strategic next step.

This means that not only will the initiative benefit from Startup India’s institutional support, but it will also enjoy outreach through government schemes and networks, making it easier for even the smallest of startups in tier-2 and tier-3 cities to tap into national-level opportunities.

Government and Global Experts, Aligned

During the signing ceremony, Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, stressed the symbiotic relationship between climate goals and entrepreneurship.

“India’s journey towards net-zero emissions is closely linked to the strength of its innovation ecosystem. This partnership will unlock new opportunities for clean energy startups to develop and scale impactful technologies,” he stated.

On the other hand, Saurabh Kumar, Vice President – India at GEAPP, called the partnership a pivotal moment.

“Through the convergence of government support, industry expertise, and global innovation networks, we are setting the stage for a new wave of climate-tech entrepreneurship. Our global experience, coupled with DPIIT’s institutional reach and the Startup India network, will be key in shaping a sustainable future,” he noted.

The MoU was formally signed by Dr. Sumeet Jarangal on behalf of DPIIT and Saurabh Kumar from GEAPP, with senior leadership present from both ends—symbolizing the weight and intent behind this collaboration.

A Model for Future Collaborations

India has often been called the world’s startup laboratory—and now, it's being watched closely for its leadership in climate innovation. This DPIIT-GEAPP partnership doesn’t just aim to support startups—it aims to build a robust and investable climate-tech ecosystem that can serve as a blueprint for other nations.

The collaboration is designed with longevity in mind, with a provision to extend beyond the initial two-year term. The aim is clear: create impact, show results, and scale what works.

Why This Matters for Indian Startups

If you are a climate-tech entrepreneur in India—or someone aspiring to build in this space—this initiative is your sign to step forward. The DPIIT-GEAPP partnership represents a rare alignment of policy, capital, mentorship, and visibility, offering you the tools needed to accelerate your vision.

It’s also a call to investors, accelerators, and incubators to lean in. With the government backing innovation and global alliances bringing in technical and financial heft, the time to act is now.

India’s road to sustainability will not be paved by governments alone. It will be designed, tested, and scaled by startups, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who see climate change not as a crisis—but as an opportunity to innovate.

This DPIIT-GEAPP collaboration is not just a policy move—it’s an invitation to every Indian innovator to be part of a future that is not only green, but also globally competitive.

Because when the world looks for climate solutions, it might just find them in India.