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Pitch competition · India

Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge (India)

A national challenge for youth-led social enterprises run by UNDP and Atal Innovation Mission. Up to 50 startups join a virtual programme, 20 attend a bootcamp at T-Hub and the top six win seed grants of ₹2.2 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh.

Closed Run by UNDP India and Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, with T-Hub Foundation

Visit the programme's site

Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published The top six startups receive seed grants of ₹2.2 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh
Instrument
Grant
Equity taken
None (equity-free)
Programme fee
No fee Participation is free
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
Hybrid
Stages
Idea, pre-seed
Sectors
Social impact, Climate
Open to founders from
India
Perks
  • Virtual Springboard programme of six to eight weeks for up to 50 startups
  • Five-day residential immersion and bootcamp at T-Hub, Hyderabad for the top 20

The eligibility section gives a founder age range of 15 to 29, while the FAQ says 18 to 29; both extend the limit to 35 for the listed groups. The Springboard programme ends in a National Innovation Dialogue, and the top 20 pitch at the Youth Co:Lab finale.

Application dates

Closed2026 (8th edition)

Usual timing: The 2027 call has not been published; the 2026 call closed at midnight on 20 March 2026.

Who can apply

  • Youth-led startups with founders aged 15 to 29; up to 35 for women, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQA+, tribal and minority-community founders
  • Solutions under the 2026 theme of responsible consumption: sustainable textiles and fashion, circular economy, and sustainable food systems and water conservation
  • Unregistered startups and NGOs that meet the criteria may apply; registration is needed if selected
  • Stage: idea, pre-seed

What founders should check

  1. The programme says it takes no equity. Still read the agreement for warrants, revenue shares or rights in a later round.
  2. It charges no programme fee.
  3. It mixes remote and in-person sessions. Ask how much time on site it expects.
  4. The last window we track closed on 20 March 2026. The 2027 call has not been published; the 2026 call closed at midnight on 20 March 2026.

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