DPIIT, Avaana set jury for deep tech challenge as 12 startups vie for support
DPIIT and Avaana Capital have picked 12 startups from more than 800 applications for the final stage of their Deep Tech Innovation Challenge, setting up a jury review that will test whether early technologies can find a route to commercial deployment. The finalists, working across…
DPIIT and Avaana Capital have picked 12 startups from more than 800 applications for the final stage of their Deep Tech Innovation Challenge, setting up a jury review that will test whether early technologies can find a route to commercial deployment. The finalists, working.
DPIIT and Avaana said the jury brings together leaders from government, industry, academia and investment. It is chaired by S Ramann, chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority and former chairman of SIDBI.
What Happened
The panel includes DPIIT Additional Secretary Ateesh Kumar Singh, BIRAC Managing Director Dhananjay Tiwary, Maruti Suzuki India chief executive Hisashi Takeuchi, IDFC FIRST Bank chief executive V Vaidyanathan, former TCS chief executive Rajesh Gopinathan and Ather Energy cofounder Tarun Mehta. Anjali Bansal.
The 2025–26 challenge will conclude on September 11 at Vanijya Bhavan in Delhi, where the winners will be announced.
Singh said indigenous technology capacity in critical sectors was central to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
The programme says its earlier editions have enabled about ₹2.5 crore in grants, with previous winners including CarbonStrong, Green Aero Propulsion and Nabhdrishti Aerospace progressing after the challenge.
Key Details
“By connecting breakthrough innovation with policy, industry, academia, and capital, the Grand Challenge helps advance India’s ambition to become a global hub for deep tech,” he said. The finalists reflect the range of technologies seeking that support.
Winners will receive equity free monetary awards, mentorship, industry pilot opportunities and access to follow on funding.
“The depth and diversity of this year’s applicant pool reinforces our conviction in the world class deep tech being built from India, for the world,” she said.
Bansal said the applicant pool demonstrated the breadth of Indian deep tech.
Why It Matters
Beyond Renewables focuses on recovering materials from retired solar panels.
ABX3 PV is developing lightweight solar modules for space and mobility applications, while CTRL+Z Energies is working on zinc ion energy storage as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by Fortune India as more details emerge
