Social Alpha launches clean energy accelerator with up to Rs 60 lakh grants for startups

Startup ecosystem platform Social Alpha has launched a new clean energy acceleration programme to support startups developing technologies in energy access, energy storage and energy efficiency, as India seeks to accelerate its transition towards cleaner sources of power.

The 12-month programme, "Techtonic: Innovations in Clean Energy", has been launched in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Selco Foundation, Tata Power, Jakson Green and Sagacity. Selected startups will receive grant-funding ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 60 lakh, depending on their stage of development, along with incubation, pilot and commercialisation support, the company said.

The initiative comes at a time when renewable energy accounts for nearly 43 percent of India's installed power capacity, although gaps remain in reliable energy access, storage infrastructure and energy efficiency.

Early-stage startups working on prototype development will receive grants of up to Rs 10 lakh, while growth-stage ventures can secure up to Rs 60 lakh to support deployment, market expansion and commercialisation. Participants will also gain access to Social Alpha's laboratories, rapid prototyping facilities and product development infrastructure, the company said.

As part of the programme, startups from the North-East will receive one year of rent-free incubation along with opportunities to pilot their technologies within the region.

The accelerator will focus on innovations in decentralised renewable energy, clean fuels, biomass and biogas technologies, long-duration energy storage, alternative battery chemistries, next-generation cooling solutions and industrial energy-efficiency technologies.

"Building science-led ventures requires more than capital. Entrepreneurs developing deep-science innovations need access to infrastructure, expertise, deployment opportunities and market linkages to successfully navigate the journey from lab validation to adoption," said Manoj Kumar, Founder, Social Alpha.

Applications opened on July 21 and will close on August 21. The selected cohort will be announced in September, following which startups will enter the year-long acceleration programme.

The initiative reflects growing efforts by government agencies and industry to strengthen India's clean energy innovation ecosystem and support homegrown technologies aligned with the country's energy transition goals.

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