Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 (via UNDP India)
Offered by UNDP India (Youth Co:Lab)
Overview
Youth Co:Lab is a program co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation, run in India by Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) with T-Hub Foundation as implementation partner, empowering young people to drive sustainable development through innovation and entrepreneurship. The 2026 edition of the National Innovation Challenge focuses on Responsible Consumption, with three sub-themes: Sustainable Textiles and Fashion, Circular Economy Innovations, and Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation.
Eligibility
- Founders aged 15 to 29 years, extended to 35 for women, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, tribal entrepreneurs, and minorities
- Youth-led startups or NGOs meeting the age requirements
- Solutions must align with one of the three 2026 responsible consumption sub-themes
- Unregistered startups may apply
Funding Purpose
Seed grants support the development and scale-up of solutions addressing textile waste, circular economy innovation, or sustainable food and water systems.
Application Process
Applicants apply online via the program's application form, submitting team details, a solution description, and a pitch deck. Selected applicants join a 6-8 week virtual National Springboard Programme, then present at a National Innovation Dialogue before a jury; the top 20 join a 5-day in-person Regional Immersion bootcamp at T-Hub in Hyderabad. The program culminates in a live pitching Finale where the top 6 startups receive seed grants of INR 2.2 to 3.5 lakh.
How to Apply
- 1Click "Apply Now" above and submit your application directly on the official page.
- 2The offering organisation screens applications against its own eligibility criteria.
- 3Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a pitch or interview round.
- 4The final decision rests solely with the offering organisation.
- 5There is no guarantee of funding at any stage.
Before You Apply
- ZeedFund is an independent tracker, not the offering organisation or a funding body.
- Verify current eligibility, funding amount, and deadline on the official page before applying. Details can change after we last verified them.
- Once you apply, all follow-up (screening updates, interview or pitch invites, and the final decision) comes directly from the facilitator, incubator, or investor, never from ZeedFund. Check their application portal or email yourself for status updates; we won't have visibility into it.