Only 20.75% of India’s total energy generation in 2023-24 came from renewable sources like solar, wind, bio, and small hydro power.

Thirteen of the world’s top twenty most polluted cities are in India, with 35% of the Indian cities reporting annual PM2.5 levels exceeding 10 times the WHO limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

Washing apparel and textiles made with synthetic fibres is estimated to be responsible for up to 35% of all microplastics particles found in the world’s oceans today.

OVERVIEW

India is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally releasing an estimated 2959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2024, with the energy sector accounting for nearly three quarter of these emissions. At the same time, the consumption of resources continues to increase as India, now the world’s most populous country since 2023, is projected to reach a population of 1.7 billion by 2050. These trends highlight the scale of the challenge. Climate change, propelled by greenhouse gas emissions, unsustainable resource use, and inefficient processes, has already caused significant harm to our planet. India now stands at a pivotal crossroads: it must choose between continuing on its current trajectory or accelerating its transition toward sustainable development and decarbonisation to safeguard both its own future and global environmental health.

Techtonic: Innovations for Sustainability aims to accelerate innovations that address these complex challenges across the energy transition, new materials, and natural resources domains. The start-ups will be supported through three tracks: Research & Development, Pilot, and Scale-Up aligned to their stage of innovation. The program will nurture entrepreneurs and technologies working on breakthrough solutions across the value chain:

Focus Areas

Energy Transition
New Materials

Waste management remains one of the hardest problems to solve, both in terms of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions across the waste value chain, generating toxic effluents, and causing long-term environmental damage. Recycling alone cannot address the complexity of the problem.

Material innovation is a major lever for advancing a circular economy. It is essential to curate and scale sustainable alternatives across plastics, textiles, sanitary products, and construction materials that meet industry-grade performance requirements. While no single substitute yet matches the full property spectrum of conventional plastics, accelerating adoption of lower-impact and biodegradable options remains critical.

Potential solutions may include, but are not limited to:

    Plastic

  • Affordable, scalable, biobased, and biodegradable alternatives to synthetic polymers/plastic and their platform precursors, which can fulfil the functional properties of conventional plastic in applications such as packaging, electronics, homecare, cosmetics, and agriculture inputs etc.
  • Low-cost, retrofittable automated sorting solutions that utilise advanced sensing and data analysis to accurately decipher material composition, including differentiating between conventional and bio-based plastics, for optimal end-of-life processing in any material recovery facility.

  • Cost effective, advanced biological and chemical recycling technologies, to recover high value materials.

    • Textile

  • Affordable, high-performance, scalable, biobased biopolymer, fibers and fabrics with a substantially lower carbon footprint than conventional textiles.

  • Development of sustainable and decentralised supply chains that enable processing, and resource-efficient production of biobased/agri-based textiles fibers.
  • Resource-efficient processing innovations, including microbial dyes, waterless dyeing technologies, green chemistry auxiliaries, and technology retrofits, to drastically cut water use, energy demand, and toxic effluent generation.
  • Advanced biological and chemical technologies for recycling textile waste into high-value, reusable fibers.

    • Sanitary

  • Material innovations to replace petrochemical plastics and super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) in sanitary pads with sustainable, biodegradable, and high-performance alternatives.

    • Construction

  • Low-carbon material alternatives that reduce cement demand and water use in concrete production and curing processes.
  • Process innovations that reduce dependence on finite resources (e.g., clay, sand, water) in kiln-based and building material production.
  • Advanced reuse and upcycling technologies to upgrade construction and demolition (C&D) waste components (e.g., concrete, brick, sand, gravel) into standard and advanced concrete applications.
Natural Resources

India holds 18% of the world’s population but only 4% of its freshwater, with demand expected to exceed supply by two times by 2030. Over-reliance on groundwater, low wastewater treatment, and increasing contamination have made water scarcity a critical challenge.

Simultaneously, India is home to 21 of the 30 most polluted cities globally, with millions breathing air far above WHO safety limits. Prolonged exposure to polluted air causes severe health impacts, claiming over many lives annually. Climate change further worsens both air and water stress through extreme weather, shifting rainfall, and declining resource quality.

Air and water are vital to both human health and economic development, yet they face increasing pressure. Fostering innovation in these systems is essential to protect public health, ensure resource security, and build a resilient, low-carbon future for India. The emphasis is on solutions that are decentralised, energy-efficient, and cost-effective, reducing reliance on scarce resources, enhancing quality and safety, and enabling circular use.

Potential solutions may include, but are not limited to:

    Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

  • Desalinators with material innovations, powered by renewable sources of energy driving both water and energy efficiency.
  • Atmospheric Water Generators that are productised, cost effective, with a focus on household access to drinking water.
  • Cost-effective incremental innovations in design, material used and process of filtration to reduce inefficiencies in existing filtration systems and target niche contaminants in endemic zones.
  • Decentralised, energy-efficient, and cost-effective wastewater treatment solutions (sewage & effluents) that reduce high capital/operational expenses, minimise chemical/energy use, and enable compliance with discharge standards or safe reuse.

    • Air Pollution

  • Affordable, energy-efficient indoor air purification systems that minimise both upfront and operational costs, eliminate the generation of secondary pollutants, and significantly reduce waste by utilising durable or regenerative components with minimal maintenance requirements.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

The program is accepting applications from:

  • Innovators at the idea or prototype stage can apply under the Research & Development track
  • Startups preparing to conduct pilots in real-world conditions can apply under the Pilot track
  • Ventures scaling validated solutions for market adoption can apply under the Scale up track

If your innovation aligns with any of the above, apply now to accelerate your journey from lab to market.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Research & Development track Pilot track Scale up track
  • Grant support of up to INR 30 lakhs to test and develop the product.
  • Incubation support: Access to lab infrastructure and product development support via Social Alpha Labs, including assistance with design, rapid prototyping, manufacturing along with support from dedicated portfolio managers.
  • Testing and certification: Access to facilities to validate performance, and compliance standards necessary for market readiness.
  • Start-ups to be supported with funding of INR 40 lakhs each to implement a pilot.
  • Knowledge Services: Curated set of offerings to provide support on digitisation or marketing and branding.
  • Start-ups to be supported with funding of INR 60 lakhs each for on ground implementation.
  • Go To Market Strategy: Incubation at Social Alpha with dedicated portfolio managers to assist with developing go-to-market strategy and overall business advisory.
  • Market Access Opportunities: Opportunity to collaborate with implementing agencies, industry partners, and government stakeholders.
  • Customer Feedback Monitoring Support: Structured mechanisms to capture customer feedback for iterative product development and refinement.
  • Financial Support: Opportunity to access seed investment from Social Alpha and its investor network subject to Social Alpha’s due diligence.
  • Mentorship: Engagement & mentorship with experts from the energy, materials, and resources sectors and business support through sectoral experts.
  • Capacity Building Sessions: Opportunity to build internal capacities through workshops on topics such as impact assessment, business development, contract literacy etc.
  • Showcase Opportunities: Through the program, start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch to various stakeholders, including government agencies, investors, industries, academic institutions, and civil society organisations.

Research & Development Track

  • Grant support of up to INR 30 lakhs to test and develop the product
  • Incubation support: Access to lab infrastructure and product development support via Social Alpha Labs, including assistance with design, rapid prototyping, manufacturing along with support from dedicated portfolio managers.
  • Testing and certification: Access to facilities to validate performance, and compliance standards necessary for market readiness.
  • Capacity Building Sessions: Opportunity to build internal capacities through workshops on topics such as impact assessment, business development, contract literacy etc.
  • Showcase Opportunities: Through the program, start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch to various stakeholders, including government agencies, investors, industries, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.

Pilot Track

  • Start-ups to be supported with funding of INR 40 lakhs each to implement a pilot.
  • Knowledge Services: Curated set of offerings to provide support on digitization or marketing and branding
  • Go To Market Strategy: Incubation at Social Alpha with dedicated portfolio managers to assist with developing go-to-market strategy and overall business advisory
  • Market Access Opportunities: Opportunity to collaborate with implementing agencies, industry partners, and government stakeholders
  • Customer Feedback Monitoring Support: Structured mechanisms to capture customer feedback for iterative product development and refinement.
  • Financial Support: Opportunity to access seed investment from Social Alpha and its investor network subject to Social Alpha’s due diligence.
  • Mentorship: Engagement & mentorship with experts from the energy, materials, and resources sectors and business support through sectoral experts.
  • Capacity Building Sessions: Opportunity to build internal capacities through workshops on topics such as impact assessment, business development, contract literacy etc.
  • Showcase Opportunities: Through the program, start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch to various stakeholders, including government agencies, investors, industries, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.

Scale up track

  • Start-ups to be supported with funding of INR 60 lakhs each for on ground implementation
  • Go To Market Strategy: Incubation at Social Alpha with dedicated portfolio managers to assist with developing go-to-market strategy and overall business advisory
  • Market Access Opportunities: Opportunity to collaborate with implementing agencies, industry partners, and government stakeholders
  • Customer Feedback Monitoring Support: Structured mechanisms to capture customer feedback for iterative product development and refinement.
  • Financial Support: Opportunity to access seed investment from Social Alpha and its investor network subject to Social Alpha’s due diligence.
  • Mentorship: Engagement & mentorship with experts from the energy, materials, and resources sectors and business support through sectoral experts.
  • Capacity Building Sessions: Opportunity to build internal capacities through workshops on topics such as impact assessment, business development, contract literacy etc.
  • Showcase Opportunities: Through the program, start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch to various stakeholders, including government agencies, investors, industries, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.
Apply by 10th February, 2026

Apply Now

frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions

To know more about the Techtonic, we request you to go through the FAQs section:

Eligibility:

1. Who can apply to this program?

Start-ups working in the domains of Energy transition, new materials, and Natural resources are eligible. Adjacent innovations that demonstrate clear impact in these domains (e.g., AgriTech solutions that reduce energy or resource use) may also be considered.

2. Are non-Indian start-ups eligible?

The program is open to only Indian-registered entities. Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies may apply, provided they have majority Indian promoter shareholding (>51%).

3. Can early-stage innovators (e.g., students, labs, individuals) apply?

Yes, individuals or teams without an incorporated entity can apply at the R&D track stage. However, incorporation may be required before funding is disbursed.

4. Do I need to be working full-time on my start-up to apply?

Full-time commitment from at least one core founder is strongly preferred, especially for Pilot and Scale-up tracks. For R&D, part-time founders may apply if they have a clear roadmap for transition.

5. How do I know which track I should apply for?

We use the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale:

  • R&D Track: TRL 3-4 (Proof of concept, early lab validation).
  • Pilot Track: TRL 5-6 (Working prototype tested in relevant environments, MVP ready for pilots).
  • Scale-up Track: TRL 7-9 (Demonstrated in operational settings, commercially ready, scaling up).

6. Can a start-up apply to more than one track (R&D, Pilot, Scale-up)?

No. Each start-up can apply to only one track based on the stage of the product/solution they are applying with. This ensures fairness in evaluation and funding allocation.

7. What if a start-up has more than one product or solution?

Start-ups may have multiple relevant products but should prioritise and submit one application per product.

Program Structure & Funding

8. What is the duration of the program?

The program will run for approximately 12 months, covering incubation, milestone design, achievement, and evaluation. Each start-up’s engagement timeline may vary slightly based on their track and milestones.

9. What is the structure of the program?

The program is structured into three tracks: R&D, Pilot, and Scale-up. Each aligned to a start-up’s technology readiness and scale of maturity. Start-ups will receive stage-appropriate support, including funding, incubation, technical guidance, and market access.

10. What benefits can I avail from this program?

Selected start-ups will receive:

  • Grant support (track-specific, milestone-linked).
  • Access to Social Alpha’s full-stack incubation: technical mentorship, lab facilities, regulatory guidance, and go-to-market support.
  • Overall business advisory via a dedicated portfolio manager.
  • Visibility and networking opportunities with investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners.
  • Recognition through Social Alpha platform.

11. How often will Social Alpha interface with the winners during the program?

There will be a regular and continuous interface between the winning cohort and the program team at Social Alpha. Each start-up will be allocated a portfolio manager to assist with customized requests. The needs of the start-up will be determined in consultation with the founders and team, and this will determine the frequency of the interface. These could be, but not limited to, through regular milestone reviews, monthly check-ins, and thematic sessions.

12. How will the pilot location be determined?

Pilot locations will be decided collaboratively based on: The nature of the solution and its target customers, feasibility of on-ground execution, and availability of ecosystem or corporate partners in specific geographies. The final matching exercise will be undertaken by the program team at Social Alpha in consultation with the pilot partner and the start-up.

13. Is participation in the program paid?

No, participation in the program is completely free of cost. There are no fees for incubation, mentorship, or program participation.

14. Is it mandatory for the start-up to the take the seed investment from Social Alpha? Is the investment guaranteed?

No. While Social Alpha may explore seed investment opportunities with high-performing start-ups, it is not mandatory or guaranteed. All start-ups in the program will, however, receive the grant support committed to their track, subject to milestone completion.

15. Is there an application fee?

No, there is no fee to apply.

16. Will Social Alpha take equity in my start-up?

No. The funding provided under this program is non-dilutive grant support, released in tranches linked to milestone completion. Start-ups retain ownership of their IP. Any other investments are subject to Social Alpha’s due diligence.

17. How much funding can I apply for?

The program provides track-specific grant support:

  • R&D: up to INR 30L
  • Pilot: up to INR 40L
  • Scale-up: up to INR 60L

Your ask should be aligned with your track.

18. How will funding be disbursed?

Funding will be released in tranches linked to milestone achievement. The milestone plan will be finalised at the start of the program.

19. What kind of support will I receive apart from funding?

Start-ups will benefit from Social Alpha’s full-stack incubation architecture, including:

  • Mentorship and technical expertise
  • Access to labs and testing facilities
  • Go-to-market and business planning support
  • Compliance, certification, and regulatory support
  • Networking and investor connect

20. Is international deployment supported, or is this India-focused?

The program prioritises impact in India. Solutions with international relevance are welcome, but pilots and scaling must include an Indian focus.

Application Help

21. What is TAM, SAM, and SOM?

  • TAM (Total Addressable Market): Overall revenue opportunity if 100% of the market is captured.
  • SAM (Serviceable Available Market): The segment of TAM targeted by your product/service within your reach.
  • SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market): The realistic share of SAM you can capture in the near term.

For R&D-stage start-ups, directional/approximate estimates are acceptable.

22. What if I don’t have detailed business/market data (R&D applicants)?

That’s okay. R&D applicants are not expected to have full clarity on unit economics or market size. These questions are optional for R&D but mandatory for Pilot and Scale-up tracks.

23. What is expected in the pitch deck upload?

Your pitch/intro deck (mandatory) should cover:

  • Problem & solution
  • Innovation/technology details
  • Team & advisors
  • Business/market context (if applicable)
  • Roadmap & milestones
  • Ask/expectations from the program

Keep it concise (10–12 slides recommended).

24. Can I submit product demo videos or supporting documents?

Yes. You may upload product images, demo videos, certifications, patents, or media coverage as optional supporting material in specified formats and size limits. This strengthens your application.

25. In which language and format should I apply?

Applications should be submitted in English. Uploads should be in PDF, JPG/PNG, or MP4 formats within the size limits specified in the form.

Evaluation & Process

26. How will applications be evaluated?

Applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Relevance to program domains (Energy transition, New materials, Natural resources)
  • Fitment with the program’s problem statements and focus areas
  • Strength of problem-solution fit
  • Technology depth and readiness level (TRL)
  • Potential for social, economic, and environmental impact
  • Feasibility of roadmap and milestones
  • Organisational capacity (team, advisors/board, funding base, roadmap)

27. Is the evaluation lens at the start-up level or the product level?

The evaluation is primarily at the product/solution level. The maturity of the specific solution (measured via TRL) will determine the track. However, evaluators will also consider:

  • The overall organisational capacity (team, funding, roadmap).
  • The potential impact of the solution (social, economic, environmental).
  • The fitment with the program’s problem statements and focus areas in Energy transition, New materials, and Natural resources.

28. Can I re-apply if I have applied to a Social Alpha program before?

Yes. start-ups that have previously applied to or been incubated by Social Alpha can apply again, provided the product/solution is relevant to this program’s domains.

29. What are the reporting requirements for selected start-ups?

Selected start-ups will be required to, but not limited to:

  • Submit periodic progress updates (aligned with milestones)
  • Participate in program reviews
  • Share impact metrics (e.g., jobs created, emissions reduced)

30. How will my application data be used?

Your application data will be used only for program evaluation by Social Alpha and designated evaluators. Non-public information will not be shared externally without your consent.

31. When will I hear back after applying?

Shortlisted start-ups will be contacted within 1 month from the application deadline for the next stage of evaluation.

32. Who can I contact if I have questions during the application process?

Applicants can reach out to the program team at sustainablefutures@socialalpha.org for any clarifications.

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Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions

Please read the following terms and conditions before submitting your entry:

  1. Eligibility
    1. Participating or proposed ventures should be independent entities, meaning that they should not be a subsidiary of an existing corporation or have legal ties to a government body.
    2. The applicant’s company must be registered in India (as a private limited company, with a DPIIT Registration). The shareholding by Indian promoters in the company should be at least 51%.
    3. The applicant’s company must not be a part of any joint venture with external entities that may result in the loss of its DPIIT Registration and status as a start-up.
    4. Existing non-profits can participate; however, they should propose a venturing idea or a plan to transform their existing solutions into a more sustainable solution.
  2. Submission & Participation
    1. Submissions which are incomplete will be deemed void and disqualified from the evaluations.
    2. Submissions should be the original work of the participating entity, and should demonstrate positive, sustainable and scalable social and environmental impact in India (though not exclusively in the region).
    3. Participants who are determined to be ‘Finalists’ and ranked in the final evaluation stage might be required to send at least one core member for the final round of evaluations.
    4. Participants agree to the use of their names, photographs, disclosure of their country of residence, and are required to cooperate with any other reasonable requests by the organiser relating to any publicity-related activities.
    5. Participants are required to submit a declaration of good standing and solvency at the final stage of evaluation. If there is any change in circumstance that invalidates their good standing and solvency, the team is to immediately inform the organisers.
    6. All participants own the rights to their ideas. Participants must properly acknowledge any trademarks, patented or copyrighted materials of others that are incorporated into the submission materials. Participants are responsible for obtaining any necessary permission before incorporating such materials into their submissions.
    7. Submitted ideas are protected in the spirit of non-disclosure, and all submitted materials will be treated as company confidential. The only people with access to the entry materials will be the evaluators/judges and select members. Materials will not be distributed to any other party unless requested by a participant. No other provisions are made to protect intellectual property.
  3. Decisions Regarding the Selection of Winners
    1. The selection of the ‘Winners’ is at the sole discretion of the judges and the organisers from Social Alpha. Best efforts will be made to make decisions in accordance with this document.
    2. Throughout any and all phases of Techtonic, all decisions of the judges are final.
  4. Disqualification and Organiser’s Right to Amend Competition Rules
    1. The organisers of Techtonic reserve the right to disqualify any Participant who is found to have violated the spirit of the program guidelines and terms and conditions stated herein. Disqualified participants shall forfeit any and all prizes awarded to them.
    2. The organisers reserve the right to amend these rules at any point before the Closing Date of Techtonic in line with the overall goal of the programme.
    3. The indicated dates for Techtonic may be revised at any point of time by the Organisers. Any change in schedule will be suitably intimated on the Techtonic webpage and on other relevant platforms.
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For any assistance needed in filling the application form, please reach out to us at
sustainablefutures@socialalpha.org